Camp bed, used by Lieutenant Horace Paul

This wooden trunk contains an early folding camp bed used by Lieutenant Horace Paul of the 1st Dragoon Guards, during the campaign in Flanders in 1794-5. The trunk would have been carried on the baggage carts that followed a regiment on campaign.

The canvas bed with its iron frame and wooden legs is folded away into the lockable wooden trunk.

War required equipment for much more than actual fighting. Military campaigns often involved long periods on the move or in camp, with all the necessities of life having to be carried. Basic food and shelter was provided. Those that could afford it made themselves as comfortable as possible by buying extra equipment. This often meant that the conditions were better for officers than for the men they commanded.

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