Middlesex Militia , Western Regiment

A militia force was raised from the civilian population of a county, in order to supplement the regular army in cases of emergency. In Middlesex they were called out at times of unrest. There were around 300 militiamen in Middlesex in 1802. During the Napoleonic Wars this number rose to over 2000 by 1808 and 12,000 by 1812. In 1881 the Army was organised into territorial regiments formed of regular, militia and volunteer battalions. Middlesex militia battalions came under the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own).

Lieutenant Colonel John Brettell was John Brettell, junior, Secretary of the Stamp Office. He lived in Muswell Hill. Muswell Hill, formerly Muswell Rise, was at one time known as Brettells' Hill.