Lieut. Sandeman's Packing Case Antique Campaign Cupboard

A mahogany upright Packing Case Cupboard with printed label for the 16th Lancers, Canterbury inscribed in ink D. G. Sandeman.

This Cupboard would have been one of 2 that would house a campaign chest in travel and be bolted to either side of the chest when set up to form a sideboard. The door and top are mahogany with the sides and back painted pine. The interior has 2 linen press slides which are removable and would stand on top of each other between the chest front and back of the door, when packed. This form of sideboard was an impressive piece of furniture when set up and it is known that J.W. Allen and the A&N CSL produced them as well as perhaps other companies. The top of the cupboard has brass corners to the front but not the back where it has holes to receive a cresting rail that would unite all 3 pieces of the sideboard.

David George Sandeman joined the 16th Lancers as a Cornet on the 3rd of October 1862, moving up to Lieutenant in 1864. In 1866 the 16th moved from Colchester to Canterbury and in this year Sandeman also left the regiment to join the 78th Highland Foot Regiment. He sold his commission and retired in 1867 but did join the 1st, West Norfolk Militia as a Captain in 1869. It is likely Sandeman bought his campaign chest sideboard early in his short military career and it is known that Allen were already producing such furniture by 1855. However, the labels can be dated to a tight timeline from when the 16th moved to Canterbury and Sandeman moved regiments, both in 1866.