Black Brunswicker, Altstadtrathaus, Braunschweig.

“The Brunswick Ducal Field-Corps (German: Herzoglich Braunschweigisches Feldcorps), commonly known as the Black Brunswickers, was a volunteer military unit raised by Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel during the Napoleonic Wars.

“Most members of the unit wore distinctive black uniforms, although some soldiers, such as light infantrymen and uhlans, wore green uniforms. The Black Brunswickers also wore silver Totenkopf badges on their hats. The skull and crossbones, or ‘Totenkopf’, was a symbol of mourning and a declaration of revenge against the French who had conquered their homeland. It was adopted by Duke Frederick William in 1809 as he raised a corps of volunteers to fight Napoleon.

“The unit earned themselves a fearsome reputation over the following decade, taking part in several significant battles [on the side of the British], including the Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815, where the Duke lost his life. However, recruiting, the replacement of casualties, and finance had always been problematic for the unit, which was disbanded in the early 1820s.”