Colonel and Lancer 1824

This painting (oil on panel 33.5 x 43.5in) hangs at Tabley House. It is by James Ward, one of the British artists patronised by Sir John Leicester. The central figure is Sir John as Colonel Commandant of the Earl of Chester’s Legion. It is an excellent view of the uniform worn at the time. The date of this painting is in question. A monochrome print by Swan Electric Engraving Co. has ‘By J.M.W.Turner R.A.1824 inscribed below it. But another source dates the painting as 1828. This is not the work of Turner so perhaps the 1824 date is wrong.
The blue jacket had red facings and silver lace and braid. The light dragoon girdle was gold and crimson. A cutting from ‘The Regiment’ of 1896 says that in 1819 they had a silver laced pouchbelt but Sir John appears to have a plain white leather belt. The black shako is silver laced with a badge on the front corresponding to the 1830 badge on this site, but with George IV’s monogram. The drooping black plume does not agree with the painting by Captain George Jones of the regiment on the sands near Liverpool which shows an upright white over red plume. His dress sabretache is black with silver lace edge and gold embroidery, slung from a waistbelt that is silver with a red line down the middle. His red shabraque is also decorated with silver lace and braid, and a gold crown.
The lancer is prominently placed near the Colonel and shows a similar blue, faced red uniform. The pouchbelt is on the wrong shoulder, however. He has a dark lance-cap which again, does not agree with the Jones painting where red caps can be seen. In the background, on the left there are mounted figures in action and infantry behind them with Colours flying. Some of the figures are lancers but two mounted men have pelisses and must belong to the Stockport Troop which were dressed as hussars.

Regimental Details | Cheshire Yeomanry Uniforms