2-995-698 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Volunteer Guards (32nd Middlesex), generally known as the Six-Foot Corps., 1860. 'Undress, Private; Undress, Officer; Full Dress, Officer; Full Dress, Private; Undress, Private...the "Six-foot Volunteer Guards" was established last February, with a view to meet the requirements of men whose stature, being so much above the average height, render their appearance in the ranks of ordinary-sized corps somewhat awkward, and who might otherwise be disinclined to join actively in this movement of national defence. More than one hundred and fifty gentlemen of the required standard, including several military officers and six-footers from other corps, have been enrolled; and, notwithstanding that their size is exceptional, we have no doubt that the "Volunteer Guards" will have doubled its present effective strength by next season...We hear that auxiliary six-feet corps are forming in some of our provincial towns, Liverpool having taken the lead. They will have a truly British welcome whenever they may come up to headquarters in London'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.