This photograph of a trooper in the 17^th Lancers was taken by Louis Ojeda Perez on Gran Canaria, one of the Canary Islands, in Las Palmas province Spain. Las Palmas is also the name of the chief city on Gran Canaria. [1] The photograph dates the end of February 1900. On the 14^th of February 1900 the 17^th Lancers embarked on the transports Victorian and Pinemore headed for the South Africa and the Boer War. The Pinemore had a propeller problem and was forced to stop for repairs at Liverpool. The Victorian proceeded on a very rough passage down the English Channel and across the Bay of Biscay. They reached Las Palmas in the Canary Islands on the 23^rd of February 1900. This is apparently when this photograph was taken.

The trooper is in walking out dress. The blue tunic is double-breasted with the plastron, collar, cuffs, and piping all done in white, the facing color of the 17^th Lancers. The piping can be seen down the front and around the skirts of the tunic. It should also be noted that the lancer tunic had white piping along the back seams of the sleeves. You can see a touch of this piping on the lower right sleeve in the photograph. There are 14 buttons, 7 on each side of the plastron. The shoulders have yellow cord loops secured by a regimental buttons in place of shoulder straps. The one piece yellow cord caplines are seen on the upper chest area of the tunic.

The girdle, worn around the waist, was yellow with two red stripes and fastened under the left arm with three buttons. The girdle belt was reinforced with leather and was substantial enough to carry a pistol case and ammunition pouch if required by military circumstances.

The blue breeches have a double white cloth strip unique to the 17 ^th Lancers. He has black leather knee boots with steel spurs.

In his left hand he is holding a pair of white gloves and in his right is what appears to be the 'torin' or 'canoe cap'. This cap appears in the 1880's and 90's and predates the field service cap. The Death's Head cap badge is clearly seen on the cap. It is believed that the cap is blue with white piping.