A 19TH CENTURY ANGLO-INDIAN TEAK TWO SECTION CAMPAIGN CHEST

The stencilled name on this military chest probably refers to Regimental Surgeon Dr Archibald Arnott (1803-1846) who served as an assistant surgeon in the Bombay Medical Department from 1827 to 1840. Having married his wife Mary Ann in 1841 Arnott returned to Bombay and served as a surgeon until his death in 1846. During his return to his family seat in Scotland in 1841 Arnott lived with his wife and retired uncle (and namesake) Dr Archibald Arnott (1772-1855). His uncle was also a physician whose experience as a surgeon in the field from 1795 gained him the important posting to St Helena in 1819 to assist with the care of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) in his final years. Having cared for Countess Bertrand, the wife of Napoleon's Grand Marshal, Arnott was personally requested by Napoleon saying "he has the appearance of a man of honour and a gentleman".