I recall that the duties of Duty Sergeants have been covered before, but I would like to dig a little deeper in hope that someone might be able to answer this particular question.
I am researching a sergeant of the 50th Foot who was noted in a letter from his wife as being in the light company. However, Major Napier refers to him by name in his memoir of the battle of Corunna, stating that he was Duty Sgt on that day and mentions him carrying 'his pike'.
A light company sgt would have carried a musket when in action, but does anyone know if a duty sergeant would have carried a pike as a sign of office, irrespective of that man's parent company?
In hope.
Unfortunately the images that I have are partial and often unclear, so while a good idea it isn't one that I can pursue just now. I need to get up to Kew again to take a proper look, but it's such a hassle at the moment, for obvious reasons.
Thanks for giving this some thought.