The identity of this officer is not certain, although it is believed to be Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Charles Hackett (1846–1909). He wears the Second Afghan War Medal instituted in 1881 for service in Afghanistan (1878–1880) and is making notes in a field pocket book, probably while on a field training exercise with his regiment. Behind him, to the right, are a group of five fusiliers, one of whom holds the officer’s horse.

The artist, Walter Charles Horsley, was a Lieutenant in the Artists’ Rifles from 1881 and went on to become Colonel of the Regiment (1922–1934). The son of an artist, Horsley is remembered as an Orientalist who travelled to Turkey, India and Egypt.