Officer of the Marines, Chatham 1755

[billyturnip]

Grenadier officers of this period "carried fusils with slings and bayonets fixed".
Quoted text from British Infantry Uniforms since 1660 M. Barthorp.

That looks like a fusil to me and definitely a grenadier mitre cap. Obviously the bayonet was fixed as they didn't wear a belt with bayonet frog.

Roger.

 

[legend69]

Absolutely wonderful!!!
Anthony

 

[jesus gamarra]

Hello Waterman I found an oil painting of a grenadier officer with rifle and bayonet, the painting is in the national army museum. There is also a picture of Bryan Fosten in the book "the thin red line".

 

[Fokionas]

A fanatic admirer of your work for many many years.............!
amazing painting once more!
Do you teach as well???? (LOL)
Fokion

 

[Waterman]

Thank you for that Jesus. My query really though as regards your superb figure,is that as it is of a Marine Officer at Chatham, then I took that to be a Marine of the old Chatham Division Royal Marines, although the title Royal was not granted untill 1802 . Now many Army Regts did at times serve as Marines, for various periods before returning back as line Regts, and would have had Grenadier Company's as you know. But the Royal Marines were raised for service in his Majesty's Ships, on the 28th Oct 1664 in the City of London. They were raised as the Duke of York & Albanys Maritime Regt of Foot. The Lord High Admirals Regt. It is from this Regt that the Royal Marines are descended from, and as such they were never a Regt of the British Army, but one paid for by the Admiralty. So it was with this in mind that my remarks were rather narrow in assuming that your figure was
of such a Marine Officer. My knowledge of our Corps history leads me to think that it would be very unlikely for our Officers to have been issued with Muskets or Fusils etc,especially within the confines of a ship, although having said that Marines ORs were under arms at all times, armed with muskets to provide Sharpshooters and Landing Parties. Of all that I have read of our history, pictures that I have seen, and visits to our excellent museum at Eastney, I have never known or heard of an Officer so
armed, but I could be well wrong, and if so then I do apologise to you. For the Army you have proved to me that indeed their Regulations did allow for an Officer to be so equipped. Thank you, we learn something every day.

 

[jesus gamarra]

Hello againWaterman. The grenadier's officer I've seen are from the army and I have assumed that there would be a similar regulation for officers marines. Thank you very much for the information you have given me.
Yes Fokionas, I have given many painting courses in Spain. But the problem is I do not speak English.
All messages translate them to the computer.

 

[Waterman]

Hi Jesus, nice of you to reply to me. Us Royal Marines are a strange bunch, ask any sailor. A lot of the time we did go along in general with the Army, our drill is based on Army drill not exactly but definatly not Naval. That's just for starters. Our Dress again was Army orientated,but on board ship working rig veered towards Naval. Dress No 8s is one instance, but full dress was completely Army, except for the Fouled Anchor depicted on our Buttons combined with the Lion and Crown, the badge of a Royal Regt, surrounded by a Wreath of Laurels,awarded for our Gallantry at the Battle of Belle Isle in 1761. Our Dress since our formation in 1664 is a complete minefield to the unwary, and we have worn just about everything in that time, some of it very briefly. Even Kilts made out of Army Blankets for the Pipers of the RM Commando Pipe Band, were worn in Singapore early 60s.
So there are many traps you can fall into when it comes to Royal Marines, and not everything was always official, things are still changing even today. I am rambling I know,so back to the point. I thought your Marine was beautiful, so skilfully painted, it would look beautiful in our Corps Museum, when you get fed up with displaying it.

 

[brian]

What an exquisite paint job Jesus!!!!!!
Brian

 

[tiberius57]

Exquisite paint job, indeed! Wow!
Cheers,
Zeno

 

[Captain Lol]

Great paint

 

[NickM]

Another stunning figure, Jesus! I particularly love that backdrop.
Lovely work!!

 

[garyhiggins]

To coin a phrase, I agree with Nick! Beautifully painted figure and the backdrop really makes it.
Best wishes, Gary

 

[Gerry]

Great painting Jesus, and fantastic backdrop.

 

[jesus gamarra]

Many thanks to all. Your comments encourage me to keep going, it's my pleasure to show you my work in this forum.

 

[robbyk9]

Stunning work I love it