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Coatee from the Crimean War

Last updated: 3 June 2011

Erica Arnold presents a coatee belonging to a British officer during the Crimean War.

 
Coatee from the Crimean War (video)

Transcript

Voiceover:

Now, in "A small piece of history", Erica Arnold of the National Army Museum presents a favourite object from the Collection.

Erica Arnold:

Although it looks like it might fit a child, this uniform actually belongs to Captain Audley Lempriere.

At less than five feet tall he was probably the smallest of the officers in the British Army during the Crimean War.

I particularly like this object because, unlike many other coatees of this period, it's in very poor condition, shows obvious signs of wear and repair by the owner and the addition even of a small pocket here, presumably for keeping a watch in.

Sadly, the owner of this coatee died whilst wearing it during the Crimean War. He was one of the smallest officers serving in the British Army, but he was carried from the battlefield by one of the tallest, his great friend Colonel Egerton.

1 comment

Christine U
19 April 2011, 6.58am

I got the impression Ms.

I got the impression Ms. Arnold had more to say on this object, and I would have loved to hear everything she knows!

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