Camp bed, used by Lieutenant Horace Paul

This is an early folding camp bed used by Lieutenant Horace Paul of the 1st Dragoon Guards, during the campaign in Flanders in 1794-5. The iron frame can be folded away into the attached wooden trunk for transport. Requiring two men to lift it, the trunk would have been carried in the baggage carts that followed a regiment on campaign.

The iron bedframe has canvas stretched across it and six supporting wooden legs which fold away for storage. The top of the bed is attached to the wooden trunk into which the frame folds. An iron bar protrudes from the top end of the bedframe, upon which a blue canopy was draped.

Military campaigns often involved long period on the move or in camp. All the necessities of life had to be carried with the regiment. Issued equipment was intended to provide basic food and shelter, but often proper supplies were not guaranteed.

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