On 16 April 1856, Queen Victoria visited Brompton Barracks in Chatham, Kent to see convalescent soldiers recovering from wounds received during the Crimean War. Although 400 soldiers were assembled to meet the Queen, the experiences of Lockhurst and O'Brien particularly impressed her. Lockhurst received a shot in his right eye which destroyed its sight, as well as his upper jawbone. O'Brien had his left eye destroyed and his jawbone fractured. In the photograph both men hold the shot which caused their injuries and which they had given to the Queen to hold in her own hand.