Officer's full dress coatee, Captain John Lewes, 3rd (The East Kent) Regiment of Foot (The Buffs), 1831-1855 (c)

John Lewes was first commissioned into the Buffs in 1847 and was a captain when he went out to the Crimea in 1855. During the assault on the Redan on 8 September he commanded the Buffs covering party, comprising the best shots in the Regiment. He was anxious that his services should be recognised, writing to Major William Fyers of the Rifle Brigade the day afterwards: 'With respect to my covering party, it is I think needless to say they did their duty well, as you must have seen them yourself and I trust in your report on the subject you will do us the justice to say we did our duty.' He signed off with the words 'Hoping that the conduct of my party has merited the approbation of the General Commanding.' Placed on half pay as a major on 1 February 1856, the following year Lewes joined the 2nd West India Regiment of Foot, purchasing his Lieutenant-Colonelcy in the 3rd West India Regiment on 7 May 1858. He returned to half pay in 1859, finally retiring in 1860.