Muster roll
Sergeant Hicks
Category
Manuscripts and documents
Date
Unknown
Materials
Paper, glass and oak
Measurements
845 x 705 x 40 mm
Collection
Mottisfont, Hampshire
NT 770125
Summary
An elaborate pictorial representation of the ‘Muster Roll of the Officers Non-Coms & Men of the 3rd Battn Grenadier Guards who served in the late South African War’ [the Boer War] including Lt GB Russell [Gilbert Russell]. Created by a Sergeant Hicks, his name is written underneath the emblem at the bottom, he seems to have made at least one other Muster Roll for a related Regiment. He is credited as being late of the Regiment on this one so after leaving the army he may have worked in HQ, volunteered there or just been asked to produce it for his old Regiment. Card mounted, glazed in a gilt site edge stained oak frame. The official Muster Roll would be the list of Staff, officers and other ranks on the pay books of the unit. These illuminated versions were taken from the list and embellished with extra designs and images. Typically battle honours, regimental crests, mottos and the like. They were a commonly produced memento of a period or event involving the Regiment or other unit featured.
Provenance
Gift from Laura Beresford, Julian Russell and Emily Russell.
Makers and roles
Sergeant Hicks, amateur artist