Corporals and Privates 1914

This group photo, taken at Rawalpindi on the eve of the Great War, is of great interest because it illustrates a style of uniform introduced by the 10th Hussars at this period. The men are in light-weight khaki service dress but differ from other rank-and-file soldiers by having shirts and ties, which must have been more comfortable than the buttoned up tunic collars worn in other units. The short history of the regiment written by Michael Brander says this:
‘On landing at Bombay in October 1902 the regiment entrained for Mhow, where they were to be stationed for the next four years. Early in his command there Colonel Byng instituted an extremely popular, though for those days revolutionary, change. He altered the issue uniform of khaki drill and had grey flannel turn down collars and khaki ties issued in their place. This caused considerable stir and Kitchener himself came to examine the change, but fortunately he approved and again the Tenth gave the lead to the rest of the army.’
The corporals have gold lace stripes and silver regimental badges, both on red cloth. They are tacked onto the sleeve and could be easily removed so that the uniform could be laundered. The frock tunics have breast pockets but no hip pockets. Jodhpurs and black boots show them to be in mounted order. Their khaki helmets have bimetal badges on the front.

Regimental Details | Uniforms