coatee, coatee
Accession Number

NAM.1963-06-17-1

Description

Coatee, 1st Middleton Local Militia, 1811 (c). Scarlet wool fabric with blue wool cloth facings and gilt buttons Local Militia units were raised following an Act of 1808 and were designed to create a trained body of men, who could be used for local defence, but who could also be encouraged to transfer to the regular Army in return for a financial incentive, or bounty. The scheme was very successful and helped solve the manpower shortage during the Napoleonic Wars. The Local Militia were all disbanded in 1814.