David Martin 1737-1797. Scottish School 18th.Century. Oil on canvas. Portrait of an Officer of the 97th. Regiment of Foot. Signed and dated 1785. 58 by 71 cms.
Initial research points to the sitter being Captain Alexander Malcolm of the Regiments Grenadier Company.
The Company saw service as Marines in HMS Princess Amelia (80 Guns) at the Battle of the Dogger Bank on 5th August 1781. Vice-Admiral Hyde Parker's small fleet of seven Line ships with a few frigates escorted an outbound convoy to the Baltic and in returning with an in-bound convoy, encountered a Dutch fleet of the same number of Line ships. Capt Malcolm was reported to have behaved with the greatest gallantry during the action. The whole regiment was then sent to Gibraltar arriving on 23rd March 1782 and serving throughout the siege by the Spaniards.