Pewter Model Soldiers
By kind permission of the Royal Sussex Regimental Museum Association Trust
One model is of a Private of the 35th Foot in campaign dress for the American War of Independence. Note the orange facings, now greatly reduced, and the local purchase boots for the campaign. He is wearing the typical tricorn hat, although this was replaced in the later stages of the War for a more functional style hat. He is also carrying his knapsack and Brown Bess musket.
The French soldier is an officer of The Royal Regiment of Roussillon, who were recruited from the Roussillon region in the South of France (including Perpignan) and from Catalonia. He is dressed as he would have been at the Battle of Quebec in 1759. Note the white plume in his hat; after defeating the French, these plumes were said to have been taken from the fallen by the 35th Foot and placed in their own hats as revenge for Fort William Henry (see the 3D images of the Clay pipe, Flints, and Musket balls). This plume formed part of the cap badge of the 35th’s successor, The Royal Sussex Regiment, when they adopted county titles.
The models were made and hand-painted by painter and model maker Charles Stadden, who served as a National Serviceman in The Royal Sussex Regiment.
With thanks to Barry Lane for supplying information regarding this item.
