James Inglis served in the British Army from 1845-1866. The later part of his army career was spent as a Sergeant-Major training recruits at Woolwich where he was also involved in speciality photographic work. Henry Butler was an Irish soldier in the 27th, Inniskilling, Regiment who served in South Africa 1835-1839. He returned to England in late 1839 and transferred to the 59th, 2nd Nottinghamshire, Regiment as a captain in 1841. James Inglis was physician to Ripon Public Dispensary and curator of geology for the Halifax Literary and Philosophical Society.