Colour-Sergeant, Marching Order 1832


The uniform of the senior NCOs was very similar to the officers in that the collar was embroidered with gold and has a silver and coloured garter star badge. The epaulettes were also gold but not like the officers'. The fringes were made up of thin gold cord, not formed into spirals. The cloth of the coat was described as scarlet, not red like the other ranks. The artist, Dubois Drahonet has given us a clear view of his chevrons and colour badge, which appear on both sleeves. The chevrons are gold lace on dark blue cloth but placed separately. The slash flaps on the blue cuff are of scarlet cloth and have gold lace button loops. These loops would be repeated on the vertical pocket flaps at the back of the coat, and there are silver embroidered garter star badges on the turn-backs.

The bearskin, now worn by every man in the regiment, was similar in all respects to the officers', having the rose and crown badge at the front and a garter star badge at the back, although I doubt that the quality of these badges matched those of the officers. His belt-plate is half way between officer quality and other rank quality in that the star badge has yellow metal rays instead of silver, but does have blue and red enameling. Other ranks belt-plates were all brass. He has two white belts crossed on his chest, one for the sword and bayonet and one for his ammunition pouch which he needs for his carbine, a musket that is shorter than those carried by the men. No spontoons were carried by sergeants at this stage. He has a crimson sash round his waist and Oxford mixture trousers for winter wear. On his back are a knapsack and rolled greatcoat covered with an oilskin protector.


Uniforms | Regimental Details


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by Stephen Luscombe