Marching Order, Firing 1836


William Heath’s series of RHA scenes includes this one of the gun firing under the supervision of a mounted officer who wears his winter pelisse buttoned up, and his shako covered with a waterproof oil-skin. As in the other Heath print there is a figure running between the gun and the limber, wearing a sword. The men have no plumes on their shakos. The crossed white belts worn by the other ranks are the sword belt and a white haversack strap (the haversack empty and folded up). The 1833 Regulations order that NCOs and gunners carry the haversack on the left shoulder and drivers over the right shoulder. The gun divisions are placed in line with the limbers behind, and each gun commanded by a mounted officer. The landscape appears to be British with a fine example of a windmill dominating the background.


Regimental Details | RHA in Action


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by Stephen Luscombe