Group    From 28/2/1860  To 1945

Artists Rifles

Categories: Armed Forces, Art

The 38th Middlesex (Artists') Rifle Volunteers was formed, in response to a threat of invasion by Napoleon III, by Edward Sterling in London with headquarters initially at Burlington House, where the war memorial is. The artists, in at least some respects, behaved just like most soldiers: their bawdy marching songs, included 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' which one volunteer remembers as "remarkable for having 11 verses, only one of which was respectable, and that one was usually left out". Lots of information at the Picture source website.

The unit's badge, designed by L. C. Wyon, shows the heads of the Roman gods Mars and Minerva in profile, representing war and wisdom. According to the Artists Rifles Association it was also “the title of the first Regimental March, the words of which were written by an Artist, George Cayley *. A regimental rhyme records: ‘Mars, he was the God of war, and didn't stop at trifles. Minerva was a bloody whore. So hence The Artists' Rifles.’”

Early members included Leighton, Millais, Rossetti, MorrisWatts, Val Prinsep and Burne-Jones. Later Noel Coward.

Also known as the "20th Middlesex","28th Battalion, the London Regiment" and various other similar names. We have to admit we don't understand the naming conventions of the armed forces.

The regiment was disbanded in 1945, reformed in 1947 and transferred to the Army Air Corps as the 21st Special Air Service (Artists Rifles) – the SAS.

* The only George Cayley we can find is a scientist and pioneer of aviation.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Artists Rifles

Commemorated ati

Artist Rifles

The Artist Rifles was formed here at the studio of Henry Wyndham Phillips, 1860.

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Artists Rifles HQ

To call this a memorial is stretching our definition to breaking point, but, ...

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Artists Rifles War Memorial

To the glorious memory of the 2003 members of the Artists Rifles, 28th Battal...

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London Troops War Memorial

Designed by Aston Webb with figures by Alfred Drury. The Duke of York who un...

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Other Subjects

The Reverend Alan Greenbat, OBE

The Reverend Alan Greenbat, OBE

Was Vice Principal of the Jewish Orphanage at Norwood in 1956 and by 2000 had a position in the Office of the Chief Rabbi. Alan Greenbat was born 2 April 1929, the son of Maximilian Greenbat (1893...

Person, Armed Forces, Philanthropy, Religion

1 memorial
Major Francis Harvey

Major Francis Harvey

Soldier. Born Francis John William Harvey in Upper Sydenham. Kent. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the height of the Battle of Jutland. Although wounded by shellfi...

Person, Armed Forces, Denmark

1 memorial
8th London (County of London) Bde. R.F.A.
2 memorials
Shadwell Drill Shed

Shadwell Drill Shed

We can find no image of the Drill Hall but have found a "Drill Shed" on a 1887 map.  In Google Satellite View we can see about 3 buildings labelled Shadwell Basin Activities Centre on the site. 

Building, Armed Forces

1 memorial
C. W. Deaves

C. W. Deaves

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial