Colour Sergeant’s Jacket 1822

This specimen is in such perfect condition that it could be mistaken for a modern reproduction. However, it is a genuine 200 year-old garment and belonged to Colour Sergeant Bill Nicholl of the Grenadier Company, 8th King’s Regiment. Nicholl served as a grenadier for 21 years in the King’s, being discharged in 1825. The jacket was made for him with great care but he probably never wore it. It follows a pattern laid down in 1822, having shoulder wings with large drooping fringes.
The white lace, at first glance appears to be plain white, and on closer inspection, there are thin red lines running through the lace on the chest and shoulder wings, and thin blue lines through the lace on the cuffs. But on even closer inspection these ‘lines’ are revealed as ‘lights’ i.e. the coat material showing between double lines of white lace. There are single lines of white lace following the edges of the collar, the bastion-shaped blue shoulder straps, and the front hem. They also follow the edges of the white turn-backs and the white squares on the shoulder wings, but are barely visible. The rank and file of the infantry continued to have patterned lace up until the mid-1830s, but sergeants were distinguished by having plain white lace.
These photos were published several years ago in Military Illustrated, to accompany a fairly long article by Lt-Col A J Moore, Chairman of the Regimental Museum Committee. Unfortunately the rank badge on the right sleeve is not clearly shown. It is a single chevron of silver lace on blue backing. [The lace appears to be silver but is likely to be faded gold] Above this is a Union Flag with two swords crossed on the flagstaff. There are tassels hanging from the spear-head. Above the whole badge is a Hanoverian crown. This was the rank designation for Colour Sergeants until 1868 when the badge was changed to three chevrons below two crossed Union Flags. The rank of Colour Sergeant was instituted in 1813 to reward NCOs of exemplary conduct. The badge was embroidered on a piece of red cloth and stitched skilfully onto the right sleeve so that it is difficult to see the joins.

Regimental Details | Uniforms