77 Coldstream Guards 1854, Pioneers

Pioneers of the Coldstream Guards, fighting in the Crimean war 1854. A set of six pioneers, marching with distinctive busby hats, aprons, axes over their shoulders, and rifles slung.

At the time of the Crimean War each British army battalion had a pioneer unit, comprising one corporal and ten privates. To enable the battalion to perform its role on the march and on the battlefield, pioneers were trained to carry out minor engineering tasks and the clearing of natural obstacles and those placed by the enemy. In old prints and paintings, pioneers are identified by having full beards, leather aprons and broad axes. Other tools carried were the leather cased saws worn on their backs and the billhook at their waist.