A portrait miniature for sale by Sampson Towgood Roche, circa 1814. The military portrait miniature details an officer in the 45th Regiment Foot, dressed in his scarlet coatee, with dark blue facings, and typical, single epaulette.

The white, regimental crossbelt with crossbelt-plate, highlighting the Georgian crown, and regimental number '45.' The  portrait miniature 'hair-back,' decorated with seed pearls, laid on an opalecent background.

Artist overview: Portrait miniaturist Sampson Towgood Roche was active between 1759-1847. Although deaf & dumb, he showed a natural talent for portraiture  from an early age, and as a young boy, was sent to Dublin to learn portraiture-techniques from other painters. Roche later worked as a minaturist in Dublin and Bath, was patronised by the Royal family, and exhibited at the Royal Academy (1817).

Regimental overview: The history of the 45th Regiment of Foot, The Sherwood Foresters,  goes back to 1741. The 45th Regiment becme part of the Peninsular Army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington.

The 45th was present at the opening battle at Rolica (1808) and served - without a break, in all of Wellington's famous battles until the siege of Toulouse (1814). The regiment is distinguished for winning no less than thirteen battle honours. Wellington, in his official report describing their bravery at the Battle of Talavera said; 'upon this ocasion, the steadiness and discipline of the 45th Regiment were conspicuous.' The Regiment was thereafter nick-named 'The Old Stubborns.'

The 45th Regiment distinguished itself again at the Battle of Busaco. In the siege of Badajoz, a detatchment of the 45th succeeded in entering the Castle, and the red coat of an officer from the 45th was hoisted in place of the French flag, to indicate the fall of the castle. This feat is commemorated annually on April 6th, when red jackets are flown on Regimental- and Nottingham Castle flag-staffs. 

The regiment formed part of Picton's famous 3rd division, and was duly recognised as being among the best of Wellington's veteran units.

Size: 7cm x 6cm approximately.