Collection GB 0074 ACC/0534 - MIDDLESEX RIFLE VOLUNTEERS

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 ACC/0534

Title

MIDDLESEX RIFLE VOLUNTEERS

Date(s)

  • 1854-1889 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

0.3 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

48th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers was a Temperance Corps, composed of men who had pledged not to drink any alcohol. The 48th Middlesex were originally the 24th Surrey Rifle Volunteers, but were refounded as a Middlesex battalion in 1862.

George Cruikshank was a graphic artist well known for his political and social caricatures and his collaboration with Charles Dickens on Sketches by Boz. From around 1847 Cruikshank was a supporter of the temperance movement, producing propaganda for this cause, speaking at meetings and sitting on the boards of organisations such as the London Temperance League. In 1859 the threat of a French invasion let to the formation of volunteer corps. Cruikshank supported these corps in a pamphlet published in 1860 entitled A Pop-Gun. He joined the 48th Middlesex corps and rose to become their lieutenant-colonel and commanding officer. However the corps encountered many problems, primarily from lack of money, discipline and motivation; and Cruikshank resigned in September 1868.

For more information on Cruikshank see Robert L. Patten, 'Cruikshank, George (1792-1878)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004.

Archival history

GB 0074 ACC/0534 1854-1889 Collection 0.3 linear metres Cruikshank , George , 1792-1878 , graphic artist

48th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers was a Temperance Corps, composed of men who had pledged not to drink any alcohol. The 48th Middlesex were originally the 24th Surrey Rifle Volunteers, but were refounded as a Middlesex battalion in 1862.

George Cruikshank was a graphic artist well known for his political and social caricatures and his collaboration with Charles Dickens on Sketches by Boz. From around 1847 Cruikshank was a supporter of the temperance movement, producing propaganda for this cause, speaking at meetings and sitting on the boards of organisations such as the London Temperance League. In 1859 the threat of a French invasion let to the formation of volunteer corps. Cruikshank supported these corps in a pamphlet published in 1860 entitled A Pop-Gun. He joined the 48th Middlesex corps and rose to become their lieutenant-colonel and commanding officer. However the corps encountered many problems, primarily from lack of money, discipline and motivation; and Cruikshank resigned in September 1868.

For more information on Cruikshank see Robert L. Patten, 'Cruikshank, George (1792-1878)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004.

Records deposited in July 1954.

This collection consists mainly of letters written to George Cruikshank and drafts of letters, memoranda and speeches by him, with a few rough drawings. Most of the papers relate to Cruikshank's activities as Lieutenant Colonel of the 48th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, and concern recruitment, muster rolls, discipline, drills, inspections, uniforms and arms.

ACC/0534/001-012: Correspondence; ACC/0534/013-014: Personal Papers.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

June to August 2010. Militia records Government Public administration Health services administration Organization and administration Personnel management Recruitment Military recruitment Militia Organizations Military organizations State security Armed forces Volunteer forces Documents Information sources Military administration Administration Organisation and management Cruikshank , George , 1792-1878 , graphic artist 48th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Middlesex England UK Western Europe Europe

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Records deposited in July 1954.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

This collection consists mainly of letters written to George Cruikshank and drafts of letters, memoranda and speeches by him, with a few rough drawings. Most of the papers relate to Cruikshank's activities as Lieutenant Colonel of the 48th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, and concern recruitment, muster rolls, discipline, drills, inspections, uniforms and arms.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

ACC/0534/001-012: Correspondence; ACC/0534/013-014: Personal Papers.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area