In 1832 Alexandre-Jean Dubois Drahonet was commissioned by King William IV to paint one hundred pictures illustrating the uniform of the Army and the Navy. Ninety-one of the one hundred are still in the collection today. These are some of the few military works by Drahonet that are recorded, along with paintings depicting the French Navy in the Musée de la Marine, Paris. Each picture in the series profiles one figure against a neutral background, focusing on details of uniform. The sitters are sometimes identified by name, and are otherwise classified by rank and regiment.

Those represented in RCINS 407001-3 and 407035 all served as body guards and personal staff to King William IV. Charles Hancock held the appointment of Exon from 1832 to 1838. An Exon is an Officer ranking below Ensign. Historically, Exons were promoted from the ranks. The word is the English phonnetic of the French 'Exempt', and in this context, means a man who has been freed from his duty to serve in the ranks.