 By Tom Fournier Some years ago, I had the good fortune to do some work at the National Archives (Public Records Office) in Kew (London) during a visit to the U.K. As I was going through the casualty returns for the 41st Regiment during their time in Canada, I noticed for some of the early years there were also included statements of debts for some of the individuals that died along with the corresponding credits (outstanding pay and the results of the sale of their personal necessaries). I thought it an interesting perspective to see what some of these individuals had as personal items. Interesting, yes. Fascinating insights, certainly. And unexpectedly, sad. Their life, all their worldly possessions summed up in a little chit, haphazardly stuck between the pages of a casualty return. Here are several of them: *****************************************
State of the Credit of the late Serjeant Robert Powlesland who died at Montreal, 12th April 1810 1 White Shirt 1 Flannel Waistcoat 1 Pair of Trousers 2 Ditto of Breeches 1 Regimental Jackett 1 Ditto Waistcoat 1 Pair of Linnen Trousers 1 Ditto of stockings 1 Ditto of shoes 1 Ditto of suspenders 1 case of razors 1 soap box 1 pair of short gaiters 1 fur cape 1 small Box **************************************** State of the Credit of the late Private George Didhams who died at Montreal, 12th June 1810 1 Flannel Shirt 1 Flannel Shirt 1 Flannel Shirt 1 Old Pack 1 Fur Cap 1 Pair Fatigue Trousers 1 Pair Grey Pantaloons 1 Pair Grey Pantaloons 1 Stock 6 Frills 1 Pair Shoes 1 Pair Shoes 1 Pair Breeches 1 Waistcoat 3 Brushes 1 Regimental Coat 1 Knife & Fork 1 Fatigue Jacket 1 Pair Flannel Drawers 1 Pair Long Gaiters 1 Pair Ditto *************************************** State of the Credit of the late Private John Giles who died at Montreal, 9th July 1810 1 Flannel Shirt 1 Flannel Shirt 1 Pair of Trowsers 1 Pair of Sheeting Ditto 1 Pair of Stockings 1 White Shirt 2 Frills 1 Jacket 1 Ditto 1 Pair of Pantaloons 2 Pair of Stockings 1 Pair of Ditto 1 Knapsack 1 Flannel Shirt *************************************** Keeping in mind that these are all from 1810, some things of interest: 1) In the 41st Regiment we had a belief that the 41st wore a stovepipe shakos and white trousers (trowsers) until the clothing warrant changes of 1812. Here we can see soldiers had what appears to be white trousers, grey trousers and breeches. So … breeches for formal/dress parades? And then it seems so practical for the army but white duck or linen for the hot summer months and grey wool for the harsh Canadian winters? 2) A pair of flannel drawers? How luxurious! I did not think these were in use at the time with the understanding that the extra long shirt tails served that function. Again, perhaps a concession to the Canadian winters? 3) Why is it that only the Sergeant has a box of razors? Why does only one soldier have a knife and fork? Why have a knife and fork? [2] Weren’t these items in their section’s mess chest? Why does one have three brushes and others have none? Surely their barrack mates did not pilfer their kit while they were ill or had passed? (I am being ironic) 4) How interesting to see various aspects of their dress. Why specify a “white shirt”, were there others? I have seen references in claims for company losses for “checked shirts”. There are numerous references to flannel shirts, once again a recognition of the severity of Canadian winters. Please note the “frills” which are detachable shirt frills for dress occasions. For more on a soldier’s necessaries, refer to this endnote.[3] I will wrap up this post with what I feel is an amazing individual if at the very least for the incredible amount of possessions. To me, it obvious that he was a servant, potentially a senior servant coordinating others in the mess. (Each Officer was allowed to chose one Private Soldier to act as his servant[4]) ************************************ State of the Credit of the late Private Robert Mason who died at Montreal, 25th July 1810 9 Handkerchiefs 1 Cotton Shirt 1 Ditto 2 Flannel Shirts 1 White Waistcoat 1 White Ditto 1 White Ditto 1 White Jacket 1 Fur Cap 5 Night Caps 6 Pair Stockings 1 Pair Socks 2 Pair Drawers 1 Forage Cap 2 Pair Grey Pantaloons 1 Pair Linen Trowser's 1 White Jacket 1 Regiment Cap 2 Regimental Coats 1 Pair Regiment Breeches 1 White Jacket 1 Servants Ditto 3 Pair Gaiters 1 Leather Stock Lock Case 2 Pair Shoes 2 Razors 1 Case of Ditto Knife, Fork and Spoon Turnkey and Worm Hairbrush and Spunge Hard Brush Pair Suspenders 10 Frills 1 Small Comb Looking Glass Knapsack 1 Silver Watch Box Lock and Key Round Hat From WO 25 1768 - Casualty Returns 41st Regiment, 1st Battalion, 1810 to 1815 _____________________________ [1] Thank you to photographer Thom Atkinson for his permission to use the photo from his project: “Inventories”. https://www.thomatkinson.com/inventories [2] From: Standing Orders and Regulations for the 85th Light Infantry. T. Egerton. Military Library, Whitehall. 1813. Page 17. On messing arrangements for the men, “Each mess will have two table-cloths, and as many knives and forks, plates, canteens and spoons, as there are members in the mess.” [3] From: Standing Orders and Regulations for the 85th Light Infantry. T. Egerton. Military Library, Whitehall. 1813. PP 89-90. “The necessaries which every man is to be furnished with, and kept complete in at the close of every muster, are as follows. His regimental suit, great coat and straps, pack and cap. His undress jacket, trowsers, and short gaiters; three white shirts and two false frills; two flannel waistcoats, two pair of good half boots, two pair of socks, and two towels; a comb, razor, clothes and shoes brushes, buff stick, button stick and brush, blacking ball, piece of soap, and sponge. His arms will be firelock, accoutrements, including sling, picker, girdle, turnkey, wormscrew, mussle stopper, and oil rag.” [4] Standing Orders and Regulations for the 85th Light Infantry. T. Egerton. Military Library, Whitehall. 1813. Page 142.
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