A Private of the Royal Marines, 1812

Aquatint by J C Stadler after Charles Hamilton Smith, 1812.

Royal Marines were used to keep order on ships, guard dock installations, prevent mutiny and ensure that sailors remained at their posts during naval actions. During the Napoleonic era, the four Divisional Headquarters of the Royal Marines were at Woolwich, Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth. Royal Marines were nicknamed 'lobsters' by sailors on account of their red tunics.

From Charles Hamilton Smith's 'Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812', published by Colnaghi and Company, 1812-1815.