Trumpeter, South Africa Kit 1899


The Greys featured on several postcards wearing the khaki serge service dress issued for the war in South Africa. The photos, taken in Aldershot, were hand coloured so that the special aspects of the uniform became apparent. The regiment wore a distinctive puggaree on the khaki helmet which had red stripes. Since the khaki foreign service helmet was taken into use the puggarees were worn in most hot climate stations but not South Africa. The 1900 Dress Regulations, however, did not put any restriction on where they should be worn. The trumpeter wears a white leather pouchbelt with a black ammunition pouch. This would hold pistol ammunition. The rank and file wore the brown leather ammunition belt for their carbines. He is encumbered with both trumpet and bugle, strung on his shoulders with red, yellow and blue cords and tassels. Whether these cords were used on campaign is doubtful. He, like all the other men in his squadron carried a large netted ball of fodder.


Regimental Details | Band


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by Stephen Luscombe