'Soldiers on a March', 1811 (c)

Coloured etching by George Moutard Woodward after Thomas Rowlandson, published by McCleary and Watson, 1811.

This caricature depicts men of the 3rd (The East Kent) Regiment of Foot (The Buffs) on the march with their womenfolk and children. Although only a few men from each unit were officially allowed to marry and have their wives and families accompany them, women would have been found in almost every British military camp. Some worked as cooks, laundry women and sutlers (camp followers who sold provisions), while others were prostitutes.