Historical Minds Needed! Uniform Identification

[figheadair]

I'm of no use for identifying any of it, but I do find the headdress details interesting. It looks like red/white/green around the headband, and it's not really dicing where the colours alternate differently on each row. They're in columns. I wonder if this might yield more historical references than the jacket, if it's uniquely identifying.

And the timeframe. This looks to be Napoleonic era.

[Tobus]

Were it me, I'd be taking it out of the frame to see if there is any additional info hidden, like the artist's name, a date, or anything else.

[whmackie]

I took the portrait out if the frame - no signature / date / other identifying markings.

The piece is oil on canvas - looks like it has a later board backing used to strengthen the piece and to make quick touch ups - where the canvas has been torn / damaged you can see where it has simply filled in and roughly painted over.

Looks like I will have to rely on the uniform for any additional information. I appreciate all the help.

[stickman]

I have been looking through a book on Wellingtons highlanders and see no bonnet banding like that shown in your picture. What I see is vertical red and white stripes with horizontal stripe that is green where it crosses the red stripe. This gives a green square in the middle of the red stripe. It is possible that the artist used some artistic license. I do not see any cross belt badge like that shown either. I have read somewhere that artistic license was quite a common practice during the Napoleonic war, especially by non British artists. I am by no means an expert on this so take my answer with a grain of salt.

[kilted redleg]

Could it possibly be Hugh Montgomery circa 1780 found this at Fine Art America

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/...ct=metal-print

[DCampbell16B]

Did Canada ever have militia regiments similar to the militia regiments in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars? If the portrait was painted in Canada, that is the place to start. Maybe contact the Canadian War Museum?

[whmackie]

Did Canada ever have militia regiments similar to the militia regiments in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars? If the portrait was painted in Canada, that is the place to start. Maybe contact the Canadian War Museum?

That is definitely something to look into.

I think people underestimate just how much antique furniture / paintings were brought over from Britain as opposed to produced domestically in Canada. If it is a piece by a "Canadian" Artist from the early 19th century that would be very interesting.

There were militia regiments here during that time, they were focused on the American threat - I will send an email to the War Museum to see if they have any thoughts.

[Ninehostages]

Did Canada ever have militia regiments similar to the militia regiments in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars? If the portrait was painted in Canada, that is the place to start. Maybe contact the Canadian War Museum?

Canada had its own war going on against the Americans during that period. It was mandatory to be in the Militia and they provided non-military support to the Redcoats like building fortifications, roads , limbering supplies and guns, operating boats. There was another level above called the "Incorporated Militia" who trained up as troops. They were a significant force during the last battle of the war at Lundy's Lane. They did not wear Highland uniforms. Only the Incorporated Militia had uniforms at all and they were generally green in colour.