King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Lancaster

HOME
Museum & Collections
Sales
Donations
Events
Contact Us

REGIMENTAL HISTORY
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
First World War
Second World War
Actions & Movements
Battle Honours

FAMILY HISTORY
Resources
Further Reading

PHOTO GALLERY
ENQUIRIES
FURTHER READING
LINKS


Portraits from the King's Own Collection

The King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum contains many portraits of those who have served in the regiment.  This special exhibition highlights a selection of the painted portraits. 

The King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum is always on the look out for similar items to add to our collection.  The museum’s archive also includes many photographic portraits of soldiers and officers.


Colonel Sir Robert Rich (1714-1785), around 1756.  Oil painting by Arthur Devis, 1712-1787.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rich commanded the Regiment at the Battle of Culloden, in the absence of Colonel Barrell.  The Regiment suffered very heavy casualties.  Sir Robert lost his left hand - notice the empty fur-lined sleeve - and his right arm was almost severed above the elbow.  He commissioned the successful Preston artist Arthur Devis to paint his portrait.  After Rich’s death in 1785 the painting was left to Mr Duncan, the Regimental chaplain who had saved his life.  The painting was later returned to the Rich family.  Notice the elaborate 18th century frame decorated with war trophies.
KO 0566/01   Gift of Lady Rich.


General James Wolfe, Barrell’s Regiment.  Wax miniature.
As a boy of 14 he was commissioned into the Marines.  In 1744 he joined the King’s Own or ‘Barrell’s Regiment’ as it was then known as a Captain, purchasing his commission from Captain Delabene.  Wolfe was appointed Deputy Quarter Master General to General Wade at Newcastle.  He remained serving on the ‘Staff’ and was Aide-de-Camp to General Hawley at the Battle of Culloden, April 1746.   At the age of 33 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the expedition against the French at Quebec, Canada.  The campaign was successful but Wolfe was mortally wounded and died there on 13th September 1759.
KO0750/27    Gift of Mrs Bois.


Lieutenant Colonel George Walsh of the 4th Foot.  Oil painting attributed to Thomas Frye.
Walsh joined the Army as an Ensign in 1720 and joined the King’s Own as a Captain in May 1720.  He was promoted Major in 1736.  After a period with the 9th Regiment of Marines he returned to the Regiment as Lieutenant Colonel in August 1749 and left in 1754 to become Colonel of the 49th Foot.  He died in 1761 with the rank of Lieutenant General and is buried in the East Cloister of Westminster Abbey.
KO1450/01  Purchased

Portraits from the King's Own collection page two

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication to any of our images.

© 2008 Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum