Private, Light Company c1830

At first glance this figure looks like an officer, with his cane and sword. But the coat he wears is for other ranks. Officers wore a plain fronted coat with gold lace on the collar and cuffs. This coat has white lace formed into bastion loops on his collar and across his chest. By this time the flank company shoulder wings were larger than those worn at Waterloo. His sword is hung from a shoulder belt that has a regimental belt plate and a whistle attached to a chain. This is surprisingly ornate and expensive for a private. A painting by Drahonet of a sergeant of the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry shows a similar sword belt but this man has no chevrons and no waist sash.
The shako has a badge on the front which displays a stringed bugle and a 4. The chin-chain is hooked up to the right side and he has green cap-lines that form a plaited festoon draped across the front. The ends fall down and attach to his neck in some way. There is a green ball tuft on the front of the shako but it is oddly supported by an officer's gilt clasp.
At the bottom of this painting is an inscription which reads: 'Henry Watts, 4th Kings Own, Lions of England, Dear Parents, when you this see remember me and bear me in your mind when I am far in a foreign clime.' The regiment served in New South Wales from 1831 to 1837 so this may have been painted in Australia.

Uniforms | Regimental Details