Law Associated Volunteer Infantry for Middlesex

In times of emergency companies of volunteers were often raised, financed and governed by private committees of subscribers and in many cases remained in existence for only a few years.

In 1803 the Home Department requested details of proposals from the Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex for the re-embodiment of the Corps of Volunteers formed during the Revolutionary War. Meetings were called in various parishes to form or reform such corps. The Law Association formed a committee to group members into companies to be commanded by officers recommended by a majority of the Association.

Under the Volunteer Act of 1804 (44 Geo. III. c.54) previous enactments were amended and systematised and in particular commanding officers were required to make returns on 1 April, August and December of their strength, to clerks of general meetings of the county lieutenancy, to the Principal Secretary of State and the General Officer commanding the district. It has not been possible to ascertain to whom this particular return was made. It has obviously strayed from a series of similar returns as it bears the number "51" in a contemporary numeration in top left hand corner.

Hon. Thos. Erskine is probably Thomas first Baron Erskine 1750-1823, Lord Chancellor, son of the Earl of Buchan. When volunteers were raised "he became colonel of the Temple corps... [and] was seen giving the word of command from directions written on a card, and doing it ill." (Dictionary of National Biography).