Identifying context and possibly the photographer of militaria photo

[sean whitaker]

Can anyone help elucidate the context of this photograph please. It shows British naval personnel outside a fort displaying star and crescent. But which campaign and country? Size of image 7 by 10 inches. Also, why the circular shading? Due to lens arefact perhaps? Any help appreciated. 

[Alex Novak]

Sean, you need to post up the image. :-)

[sean whitaker]

Sorry, here's image.

[Alex Novak]

Could be Kuwait.  The Brits had it as a protectorate in 1899.  But they were involved in Egypt, Turkey, etc. for much of the end of the 19th-century.  Not sure these are British regulars though.  Could be East India Company men.  I'll let that be determined by the military experts here on the site.

[Alex Novak]

Interesting that you have the Star of David too, so it might be Palestine.  The print looks about 1880-1890s.

[Alex Novak]

And, yes, it is lens fall off causing the circular shadowing.  The photographer was using a lens designed for a smaller camera.

[Dr. Joe Rock]

The symbols applied to the building are Ottoman - the star above a crescent, although the building itself is not particularly Ottoman... if that is any help.