'28th Foot 1759, Grenadier'

Watercolour from 'Dress and Equipment of the Gloucestershire Regiment. 28th North Glos. 61st South Glos. 1694-1915', a volume of 37 studies possibly by F Stansell, 1915 (c).

This Regiment was raised in 1694 under the colonelcy of Sir John Gibson and served in Newfoundland. Sir John Gibson's Regiment of Foot became the 28th Regiment of Foot in 1751.

Grenadiers were originally special assault troops who threw grenades (iron balls filled with gunpowder) at the enemy, as well as using muskets. In theory they were chosen for their height and strength, but in reality they were usually selected from veterans and more experienced soldiers.