Colour Sergeant, Lance Corporal and Private c1910

In 1899 the Northumberland Fusiliers retrieved their old gosling green facings that were taken from them in 1881 when they were ordered to wear white. The colour is sometimes depicted as a muted green and sometimes as almost khaki as in this illustration by Ernest Ibbetson. The collar, cuffs and shoulder straps are all in this colour, and the cuffs are now pointed instead of jampot.
The lance corporal with one white stripe on his right arm is in walking out dress. This is full dress without rifle or bayonet, or fur cap. Instead he has a cane and a peaked forage cap which is blue with red piping round the top and a brass grenade badge. The shoulder straps have brass embellishments including the letters NF, a flaming grenade and a small button.
The Colour Sergeant has gold chevrons and crossed flags with a crown above, all embroidered in gold and coloured wire. This Colour badge dates from 1868 although the rank of Colour sergeant was introduced in 1813 to be awarded to senior sergeants who had served the regiment well. He has a crimson sash on his right shoulder and five medals. The first medal is the DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medal, with red-blue-red ribbon. Then the Queen's Sudan medal, the Queen's South Africa medal, King's South Africa medal and the Khedive's Sudan medal.
The back view of the man on the left whose rank cannot be seen from this side, is useful to show the rear buttoned flaps and bayonet frog. On close inspection of the back of his waist-belt, brass loops can be seen on the top edge which are used to attach the shoulder straps of the Slade Wallace equipment. The other point of interest is the red over white plume on the side of the fur cap, held in place with a brass ring.

Uniforms | Regimental Details