Sergeant 1816

The illustration by Percy Sumner is copied from a watercolour by Alexander Sauerweid in the Royal Collection. The painting is described in the two volume book of Military Drawings and Paintings in the Royal Collection by A E Haswell-Miller and N P Dawnay, but not illustrated. The original painting is not signed or dated but is inscribed on the back ‘Serjeant of the Horse Artillery’ The interesting aspect is the fact that he has rank badges on his sleeve. A crown above two chevrons point up. According to the authors this signified sergeant while three chevrons point down with a crown above denoted staff sergeant. The chevrons were of gold lace on a scarlet backing. The crown would have been embroidered onto a scarlet backing cloth. The crimson sash around his waist makes him look like an officer but NCOs of the RHA wore such a sash. The white trousers, presumably worn in the summer months, are devoid of the red stripes seen on the grey trousers. His helmet has chin-scales tied above the peak, and there is no badge. The turban is blue.

Regimental Details | Uniforms