NAM.1962-11-6-4

I was now made Sarjeant-Major [sic] ... Coloured sepia etching. From ‘The Life of William Cobbett - written by himself’, a set of eight coloured sepia etchings by and after James Gillray, nd Originally published by J Humphrey, 27 St James’s Street, London, 29 Sep 1809. Republished, 1816 (c). The set forms a satire against Cobbett’s account of his own army career and this image refers to Cobbett’s investigation of corruption. The practice of quartermasters and other officers taking a cut out of their men’s rations was common in the army but Cobbett decided to collect evidence to expose and prosecute the culprits in his regiment, the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot. He had ample opportunity to do so and was aided by Cpl William Bestland, the regimental clerk.