Officer's shoulder belt plate, Limerick City Militia, 1797-1820 (c)

Oval, brass plate with a layer of white metal applied to the front, with the engraved design of a harp with winged female figure, flanked by the royal cypher, 'GR', for King George III, surmounted by a monarchial crown, with the regimental number, '103' below.

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries militia units were responsible for home defence and maintaining law and order in vulnerable locations such as Ireland and the south coast of England. Unrest in Ireland, alongside the outbreak of war with revolutionary France, led to a new Irish Militia Bill in 1793. 38 regiments were raised but this was not without risk. Not only was compulsory military service resisted by many, but it also meant arming Catholics, whom the government did not entirely trust.

Militia units did not have to serve overseas, but they were seen as a useful reserve of trained men. Bounties were offered to militiamen who exchanged into the regular Army for overseas service.