Please identify uniform - early 1800s

[karenb]

Could anyone please identify this uniform belonging to my 4xgt-grandfather?  My family thinks it is from the 1st Battn of the 50th Reg. of Foot but we have no experts to confirm this.  My ancestor was later in 2 Veteran Battalions in Canada and it could also be from one of them which is why we would like an expert opinion.

Here are the inscriptions on his and his wife's graves which notes some of his military history.

Thank you very much again,
Karen

Sacred to the memory of Wm. Gibbs Senr Esqr of Thora late Ensign of H.M. 8th R.V. Battn and formerly belonging to the 1st Battn of the 50th Regiment of Foot who departed this life on the 29th of November A.D. 1843 aged 6(3?).  He faithfully served his country at the Battle of Cape St.Vincent A.D. 1796 at Alexandria in Egypt A.D. 1801 at the Bombardment of Copenhagen A.D. 1807 at Vimiera A.D. 1808 at Corunna A.D. 1809 at the Bombardment of Walcheren in Holland A.D. 1809 at several other engagements in Spain and Portugal under the command of the late Duke of Wellington
(Armitage, Toronto)  (this is in brackets following the transcription)


Sacred to the memory of Mary Gibbs widow of the late Ensign William Gibbs formerly of H. Majesty’s 8th Royal Veteran Battn who died at Brock March 8th A.D. 1867 aged 83 years.  My friends and dear children.  Do not grieve for me But just look around you and plainly you’ll see the lot of mankind which is certain to thee.  For God who is good hath taken me home To my husband and children who before me has gone.

[scrimnet]

 

You don't actually have the original do you?

Drool!!! 

Seriously though,  a close up of the metal badge would be most useful though pse As would a close up of one of the buttons!!!

[scrimnet]

That is a coatee of the correct period though....

Blimey.... Wish i had one...

Has it been conserved?

[atom12]

Goodness Karen!

Mary's tombstone verse has reduced me to tears - what an epitaph!

Not to mention what marvellous family history as well as the pristine uniform to own ... Wow! thank you for posting. 

[neil1821]

Very nice indeed!

What colour are those facings (collar,lapels,cuffs)? Maybe it's the glare on my screen, but are they black or dark blue?
50th's were black in this period. 

[atom12]

Karen

Have you read up on these sites ref: 50th Regiment of Foot:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0362/

and

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0363/

[karenb]

My uncle has this hanging in a vitrine on the wall.  He also has a sword but I didn't get a picture of that.

The cuffs, lapels, collor are definately black but unfortunately I can't get a larger picture of the buttons and badge as I live in Germany and he is in Canada.  I took the pictures on my last visit and hadn't thought of that at the time.  I will, however,  be back this summer and can take some close-ups then.

[atom12]

Battle of Corunna:

Major General Sir John Moore against the Emperor Napoleon

Battle of La Coruna or Corunna

War: Peninsular War
Date: 16th January 1809

Place: La Coruna in Galicia, North Western Spain

The British infantry wore red waist jackets, white trousers, and stovepipe shakos. Fusilier regiments wore bearskin caps. The two rifle regiments wore dark green jackets.
The Light Dragoons wore light blue. The Royal Artillery wore blue tunics.
Highland regiments wore the kilt with red tunics and tall black ostrich feather caps.
The British Hussar regiments wore the traditional Hungarian Hussar uniform of shabrach, dolman and fur busby.
The King’s German Legion, which comprised both cavalry and infantry regiments wore black, as did other German units in the British service.

[karenb]

Thanks atom12  ... I'm on my way there - didn't notice that before.

and scrimnet - I presume it has been preserved - my uncle is very fussy about heirlooms and it is behind glass.

Karen