When in June 1882, Arabi Pasha led a rebellion against the Khedive of Egypt, his declared nationalistic aim was to rid Egypt of all Europeans, and to seize or destroy the great Maritime Canal. With Europeans being massacred, Britain alone took the initiative to protect further lives, and the essential sea route to the Far East.

Sir Garnet Wolseley was asked to prepare a plan of campaign, one which ultimately suited Britain’s imperialistic ambitions in lower Egypt.

Arabi began to reinforce the defences of Alexandra which on 11th July were bombarded by the British Navy, and occupied by Naval landing parties, with the aim of harassing the rebels until the arrival of the expeditionary force, which started landing on 10th August.

HS1 is a 40 piece set which includes 12 men and 1 officer, 20 regimental pipe band, 6 colour party, 1 mounted officer.

This set is based upon a photograph of the British army passing in review before their commander Lord Wolseley, in Cairo, Egypt, 1882.

Presented in a wooden box, with two layers of soldiers, these sets recalled a bygone era in the art of the toy soldier.