Sussex Yeomanry

This colourful portrait shows an officer of the Sussex Yeomanry in a blue-green coat with red facings and silver frogging, his plumed helmet trimmed with a red band and cockade. With the aid of a glass, ‘Sussex’ can be made out along the white band of the hat.

The Sussex Troops of Gentlemen and Yeoman Cavalry were established in 1794 in response to a call from the then Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger for counties to form volunteer forces in response to the threat of invasion by the French. The Sussex troops were commanded by the 3rd Earl of Egremont.

The portrait is signed bottom right with initials V.H. and dated 1796. It is set in a gold frame with a pearl surround that is glazed on the reverse to show neatly plaited brown hair. Despite being clearly talented, the artist signing V.H. does not appear to be listed.