Soldiery British Army Portraits

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Artist’s Statement – Soldiery

The British Army is a diverse and proud institution, steeped in heritage and tradition. With Soldiery — both as an exhibition and a book — my goal was to create a contemporary reflection of historic military portraiture, documenting the modern British Army and its people in a way that honours their legacy and humanity.

Between 2016 and 2019, I dedicated over three years to this project, travelling the length and breadth of the United Kingdom — from Fort George in Inverness to the Yorkshire Dales, and then south to London, Andover, and Aldershot. Working closely with the Army, I conducted hundreds of sittings with its leaders, individuals, and regiments, capturing the essence of service through the faces of those who embody it.

Sittings, Exhibitions & Announcements

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Captain Massey, 1st Battalion The Rifles Portrait Donation to The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum
Captain Massey, 1st Battalion The Rifles Portrait Donation to The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum

I am very pleased to be able to provide The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum with a portrait of Captain Massey, from the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, for inclusion in their newly redeveloped galleries in Salisbury.

Soldiery at the National Army Museum — Preserving British Military History Through Portraiture
Soldiery at the National Army Museum — Preserving British Military History Through Portraiture

The Soldiery project by Rory Lewis now forms part of the permanent collection of the National Army Museum in London. This landmark acquisition underscores the project’s historical, cultural, and educational importance, and stands at the heart of the mission of the Rory Lewis Non-Profit: to preserve military heritage through museum-grade portraiture for future generations.

The Rifles Museum Acquires Portraits of 1st Battalion, The Rifles
The Rifles Museum Acquires Portraits of 1st Battalion, The Rifles

Rory Lewis Non Profit is proud to donate a series of portraits to The Rifles Museum in Winchester. Located within the historic Winchester Military Quarter, the museum offers a compelling insight into the heritage and evolution of the British Army’s largest infantry regiment.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, KCB, CBE — Portrait Sitting
General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, KCB, CBE — Portrait Sitting

In 2022, Rory Lewis Non-Profit was honoured to record a formal portrait of General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, KCB, CBE, undertaken in London during his tenure as Chief of the General Staff. The commission was created for permanent display within the gallery of former Chiefs—an historic lineage marking the stewardship of the British Army’s senior leadership.

Major General Benjamin Bathurst CBE
Major General Benjamin Bathurst CBE

Our 2019 sitting with Major General Benjamin Bathurst CBE of the Welsh Guards took place at Horse Guards, London, within the historic office once occupied by the Duke of Wellington. Seated behind the very desk that once belonged to the “Iron Duke,” Bathurst joined a long line of leaders who have shaped the ceremonial face of Britain’s Armed Forces.

The Royal Tank Regiment Portrait Sittings
The Royal Tank Regiment Portrait Sittings

Forged in the adversity of the First World War, the Royal Tank Regiment stands as the oldest tank unit in the world. Today, the Regiment is based at Tidworth and equipped with the formidable Challenger 2 main battle tank—an enduring symbol of British armoured warfare.

A Portrait of Duty: H.R.H. The Duke of Kent as Field Marshal
A Portrait of Duty: H.R.H. The Duke of Kent as Field Marshal

In 2018, I had the rare honour of photographing His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent, in a portrait sitting that captured not only royal stature, but a lifetime of military service. Dressed in his ceremonial uniform as Field Marshal, His Royal Highness stood as a living symbol of dedication, discipline, and enduring legacy within the British Armed Forces.

1st Battalion, The Rifles Portrait Sittings
1st Battalion, The Rifles Portrait Sittings

Among the many regiments I photographed, the 1st Battalion, The Rifles stands out for its deep-rooted traditions and enduring character. Little has changed for The Rifles since the Napoleonic Wars—they remain at the forefront of battle, defined by precision, independence, and quiet professionalism. True to their motto, Swift and Bold, they carry no flag; instead, their Battle Honours are worn proudly upon their uniforms.

The Royal Lancers — Portrait Sittings
The Royal Lancers — Portrait Sittings

For nearly a year I’ve been traveling across the United Kingdom and Europe as part of Soldiery — British Army Projects, an ongoing initiative through Rory Lewis Non-Profit to create a contemporary visual archive of the British Army. The aim is simple but vital: to preserve a truthful, dignified record of the men and women who serve today, before uniforms, traditions, and identities inevitably change.

2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles — Portrait Sittings
2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles — Portrait Sittings

Working with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles stands as one of the defining highlights of the Soldiery project, produced through the Rory Lewis Non-Profit. While many civilians have a general awareness of the Gurkhas, few fully understand the depth of tradition, discipline, and identity that defines this extraordinary regiment.

Major General Bob Bruce CBE, DSO – Portrait Sitting
Major General Bob Bruce CBE, DSO – Portrait Sitting

As Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Major General Bruce has dedicated his life to leadership, service, and the embodiment of the Army’s values. This portrait session stands as a testament to his extraordinary contributions and the pride he carries in representing one of Britain’s most historic regiments.

Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE – Portrait Sitting
Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE – Portrait Sitting

Lieutenant General Bashall stands as a towering figure in both stature and reputation. A veteran of the Iraq War, he commanded the 1st Mechanised Brigade in Basra in 2007, leading with courage and distinction. Earlier in his career, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) in Afghanistan, earning recognition as one of the British Army’s most experienced combat commanders. Deeply proud of his service with the Parachute Regiment, his career exemplifies leadership, resilience, and devotion to duty.

1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Regiment
1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Regiment

The 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based in Tidworth, represents one of the most historically significant infantry lineages in the British Army. Their iconic ceremonial uniforms—rooted in traditions dating back to the Victorian era and the height of the British Empire—carry centuries of regimental identity, inherited from the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales.

Lieutenant General Poffley Portrait Sitting
Lieutenant General Poffley Portrait Sitting

Lieutenant General Mark Poffley OBE graciously accepted my invitation to sit for a formal portrait at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Whitehall, London. Commissioned into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in 1985, Lieutenant General Poffley dedicated more than three decades to the British Army, serving with distinction across every major conflict of the last thirty years—including the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, operations in the Republic of Macedonia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

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Winner of the Portrait of Britain 2024
Winner of the Portrait of Britain 2024

Trooper Collins is one of the first women to serve in the prestigious Household Cavalry, a regiment renowned for its rich history and traditionally male ranks. Her inclusion represents a milestone in the evolution of this distinguished unit. Captured as part of Rory Lewis’s celebrated project, Soldiery: British Army Portraits, this compelling image highlights the changing face of the British Armed Forces.

For me, Soldiery was both a labour of passion and a journey of discovery. As a historian and lifelong admirer of the military, I found myself immersed in a living tapestry of identity and tradition. Each regiment felt like its own tribe — with distinct customs, uniforms, and values — and every soldier carried a story written in their eyes. From the Royal Lancers to the Household Cavalry, from the Gurkhas to the Parachute Regiment, I sought to capture not only their strength and discipline, but also their individuality and quiet dignity.

In each portrait, I wanted to reveal the human beneath the uniform. The fresh-faced recruit stands beside the seasoned veteran; you see the energy of youth and the gravity of experience. As I often say, “By looking into their eyes, you can read their stories — those ready for their first posting, and those who have lived through Iraq and Afghanistan.”

My approach to Soldiery was informed by my background in history and inspired by the great military painters such as George Dawe, who immortalised an entire generation of Russian generals. Accuracy and truth have been my guiding principles — capturing “every line, mark, and scar” that tells a life’s story.

In the end, Soldiery became more than an artistic endeavour — it became a living historical record of the British Army in the 21st century. I am deeply honoured that the collection has been acquired by the National Army Museum, ensuring that these portraits, and the stories of those they represent, will be preserved for future generations.