BRITISH LIGHT INFANTRY BEFORE 1800

The Material Culture of British Light Infantry Before 1800 by Sherri Rapp

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE IN LONDON: WO 71/10 FOLIO 297/9. REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL OFFICERS DATED 4TH MARCH 1771, CONVENED TO CONSIDER THE CLOATHING & ACCOUTREMENTS BEST ADAPTED FOR THE USE OF THE LIGHT COMPANY BELONGING TO EACH OF THE MARCHING REGIMENTS OF FOOT ON THE BRITISH ESTABLISHMENT. THESE AGREEMENTS WERE SOMETIMES FOLLOWED AND SOMETIMES NOT, AS WE SHALL SEE.

It is agreed, 1st That the cap prepared under the direction of Maj-Gen Keppel be fixed upon, the letters L and I to be left out, & the letters G and R put a little further apart 2 - That the cloathing of coat & waistcoat be of the pattern of Maj-Gen Rufane, but the waistcoat to be red and laced. The breeches white or buff, suitable to the waistcoat of the respective regiments 3 That the gaiter be up to the calf of the leg & no higher 4 - That the accouterments be conformable to Col Howe's pattern, with a small cartridge box to contain 9 rounds in one row, to be worn before with a belt of tanned leather round the waist The Belt to be furnished with 2 frogs, one for the bayonet, the other for the hatchet occasionally, which at other times will be tyed upon the knapsack The 42nd or Royal Highland Regiments to have their Company cloathed according to their present regulation; but all the other appointments to be conformable to the rest of the Light Infantry 5. The cost of the clothing is computed to be as follows: The upper jacket 12/11 The under do. 11/Breeches 5/3 Cap ___8/6_ 1.17.8 6. The Committee is of the opinion that a Maude is a proper covering for the Light Infantry in time of war, in place of a blanket, but it does not appear to them necessary that the same should be permitted in time of peace.
British Light Infantry Before 1800

THE PICTORIAL RECORD

Contemporary Images of Light Infantrymen

LT. JOHN ANDRE 7TH REGT LIGHT INFANTRY IN CANADA

British Light Infantry Before 1800

I. P. LIGHT INFANTRY, 1779 SCOTTISH UNITED SERVICES MUSEUM

British Light Infantry Before 1800

C. WHITE, AFTER HENRY BURNBURY A CAMP SCENE, 1794 SCOTTISH UNITED SERVICES MUSEUM

British Light Infantry Before 1800

JOHN KAY QUARTER MASTER NATHENIAL TAYLOR, 7TH REGT, 1778 NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

British Light Infantry Before 1800

ATTRIBUTED TO MARTIN FERDINAND QUADALL LIGHT INFANTRYMAN, SOUTHERN FENCIBLES, 1778 BUCCLEUCH COLLECTION REDCOAT IMAGES #1541

British Light Infantry Before 1800

UNKNOWN ARTIST LIGHT INFANTRYMAN OF UNKNOWN REGIMENT THANKS TO JASON MELIUS

British Light Infantry Before 1800

UNKNOWN ARTIST QUEENS RANGERS LIGHT INFANTRY AND HUSSAR, C. 1785 BRITISH LIBRARY

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EDWARD DAYES LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY PRIVATE ADVANCING, 1793 REDCOAT IMAGES #2021 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN) NATIONAL TRUST

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RICHARD WILLIAMS PROPOSED LI DRESS FOR THE 23RD REGT, ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS

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L. ROUSSELOT LIGHT INFANTRY PRIVATE & DRUMMER, 7TH FOOT ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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L. ROUSSELOT LIGHT INFANTRY SERJEANT & OFFICER, 7TH FOOT ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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ARTHUR WILLIAM DEVIS EDWARD WILLIAM LEYBOURNE-POPHAM, 24TH LIGHT FOOT UPTON HOUSE REDCOAT IMAGES #1723 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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UNKNOWN ARTIST LT JAMES STEWART, 42ND FOOT LI COY, C. 1780 NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND REDCOAT IMAGES #118R2AD (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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UNKNOWN ARTIST 73RD LIGHT INFANTRY OFFICER PRIVATE COLLECTION

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ENGLISH SCHOOL (POSSIBLY ALEXANDER BOWER) LIGHT INFANTRY OFFICER (POSSIBLY ALEXANDER BOWER), 84TH FOOT, C. 1794 PRIVATE COLLECTION (SOLD BY WOOLLEY AND WALLIS: HTTP://WWW.WOOLLEYANDWALLIS.CO.UK/LOT/?SALE=PW280911&LOT=11) REDCOAT IMAGES #1728 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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JOHN ALEFOUNDER GEORGE FORBES, LT CO, FUSILIER REGT, 1786 AUCTIONED BY CHRISTIE'S, 20 NOV 2013 REDCOAT IMAGES #2158 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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NATHANIEL HONE LT. RICHARD WILFORD, LIGHT INFANTRY 2ND FOOT & SIR LEVETT HANSON, 1777 AUCTIONED BY CHRISTIE'S, 2002 REDCOAT IMAGES #1714 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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ATTRIBUTED TO HENRY WM BUNBURY SOLDIER, MAIDEN & FISHMONGER JOSEPH LEBOVIC GALLERY REDCOAT IMAGES #2124 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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JOHN RAPHAEL SMITH (AFTER WALTON) THE TOBACCO BOX, 1802 BRITISH MUSEUM THANKS TO JASON MELIUS

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THOMAS DAVIES A VIEW OF THE LINES AT LAKE GEORGE, 1759 INSET: 80TH REGIMENT OF FOOT OR COLONEL THOMAS GAGES LIGHT INFANTRY, WHICH WAS RAISED IN DECEMBER 1757 REDCOAT IMAGES #2202 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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ACKERMAN AND ROWLANDSON SOLDIERS COOKING, 1798 ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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THOMAS MILTON AFTER JOHN JAMES BARRALET LEINSTER HOUSE IN DUBLIN, 1783 BRITISH MUSEUM REDCOAT IMAGES #1756

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ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON VIEW OF STATEN ISLAND, 1777 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DETAIL COURTESY NEILS HOBBS

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ATTRIBUTED TO RICHARD ST GEORGE MANSERGH ST GEORGE (52ND LIGHT INFANTRY LEIUTENANT) PRIVATE COLLECTION MYSELF ON PICQUET IN A TEMPEST DISDAINING A CLOAK, REDCOAT IMAGES #1542 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN) CONVERSING W REBEL POWS, REDCOAT IMAGES #1543 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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M. DARLY A VIEW IN AMERICA IN 1778 (CARICATURE BASED ON LT. ST. GEORGES WATERCOLOR IN PREVIOUS SLIDE) LEWIS WALPOLE LIBRARY REDCOAT IMAGES #1543 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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XAVIER DELLA GATTA (LIKELY COMMISSIONED BY EITHER LT. RICHARD ST. GEORGE MANSERGH ST. GEORGE OR LT. MARTIN HUNTER, BOTH OF THE 52ND REG'T OF FOOT'S LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY AND PRESENT AT THE BATTLE. HTTP://WWW.HM40THFOOT.COM/RESOURCES.HTML ) BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN, 1782 AMERICAN REVOLUTION CENTER LEFT INSET, REDCOAT IMAGES #1542 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

Light Infantry Soldiers & Hornsman Pvt. Peacock carrying Lt. St. George

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XAVIER DELLA GATTA MASSACRE AT PAOLI, 1782

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG TWO SOLDIER STUDIES, 6TH FOOT & GLAMORGAN MILITIA, C. 1778 ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG LIGHT INFANTRYMEN STUDY, C. 1778 ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG WARLEY CAMP: THE MOCK ATTACK, 1779 THE ROYAL COLLECTION HTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?CATEGORY=276&OBJECT=406348&ROW=1305&DETAI L=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG WARLEY CAMP: THE MOCK ATTACK, 1779 THE ROYAL COLLECTION HTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?CATEGORY=276&OBJECT=406348&ROW=1305&DETAI L=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG WARLEY CAMP: THE MOCK ATTACK, 1779 THE ROYAL COLLECTION HTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?CATEGORY=276&OBJECT=406348&ROW=1305&DETAI L=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG WARLEY CAMP: THE REVIEW, 1780 THE ROYAL COLLECTION HTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?OBJECT=406349&ROW=3979&DETAIL=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG WARLEY CAMP: THE REVIEW, 1780 THE ROYAL COLLECTION HTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?OBJECT=406349&ROW=3979&DETAIL=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURG WARLEY CAMP: THE REVIEW, 1780 THE ROYAL COLLECTION HTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?OBJECT=406349&ROW=3979&DETAIL=ABOUT

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SAMUEL HIERONYMUS GRIMM 2ND W YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY MILITIA,INSPECTION AT OLD MONTAGUE HOUSE, 1780 ROYAL COLLECTION REDCOAT IMAGES #734 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

British Light Infantry Before 1800

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LIVESAY THE GRAND REVIEW AT SANDHAM BAY IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT ON THE 4TH OF JUNE 1798 ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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ANTIQUES & ARTIFACTS

Equipment Used by British Light Infantrymen

3RD REGT (THE BUFFS) LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY CARTRIDGE BOX BADGE DON TROIANI COLLECTION WWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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43RD LIGHT INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BOX BADGE DON TROIANI COLLECTION WWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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7TH REGT ROYAL FUSILIERS CARTRIDGE BOX BADGE DON TROIANI COLLECTION WWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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BRITISH 62ND LIGHT INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BOX DON TROIANI COLLECTION WWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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LIGHT INFANTRY MUSKET THUMB PLATE DETAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION THANKS TO JASON MELIUS

British Light Infantry Before 1800

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7TH REGT LIGHT INFANTRY MUSKET THUMB PLATE DETAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION THANKS TO JASON MELIUS

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THIS IS FROM THE 97TH FOOT AND IS BELIEVED TO BE FROM THE REV WAR PERIOD CREDIT A. W. KIRK

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LIGHT INFANTRY CAP DON TROIANI COLLECTION WWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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68TH REGT, LAMBTON CAP, 1770-75, DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY MUSEUM (HTTP://DLIMUSEUM.DURHAM.GOV.UK/PGOBJECTS.ASPX?&ID=5627&CODE=10&CATDESC=HATS&WEB=MAIN&SEARCH=) 7TH REGT CAP, C. 1770 (THERE ARE DOUBTS ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY OF THIS OBJECT) HTTP://WWW.HERMANN-HISTORICA-ARCHIV.DE/AUKTION47/VOR_PREMIUM_GB.HTM

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LIGHT INFANTRY CAP FOR A SCOTTISH REGIMENT DON TROIANI COLLECTION WWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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BRITISH MILITIA COAT, 1788, GERMAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM COAT OF LOYALIST LIGHT INFANTRY OFFICER JEREMIAH FRENCH, CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM

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ENGRAVING BRITISH LIGHT DRAGOON BUGLE HORN FROM PERIOD CAVALRY MANUAL & 18TH CENTURY BRASS POST HORN TYPE USED BY LIGHT CAVALRY LIGHT INFANTRY AND HESSIAN JAGERS BOTH IN THE DON TROIANI COLLECTION WWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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HUNTING HORN (TROMPE DE CHASSE) - CARLIN, PARIS, MID XVIIITH CENTURY - PARIS, MUSE DE LA MUSIQUE 84TH ROYAL HIGHLAND EMIGRANT POWDERHORN, CREDIT JASON MELIUS

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