The reforms of 1881 caused the 9th East Norfolks to change their title to The Norfolk Regiment and adopt white facings to replace their yellow collars and cuffs. It was not until 1905 that they were allowed to revert to yellow. So from 1881 to 1905 the regiment wore their scarlet tunics with white collars and cuffs. The change to white also meant that the regiment had to change their regimental Colour from yellow to the cross of St George, in line with other non-royal English infantry regiments.
The 1881 reforms also changed the layout of the Colour. The small Union flag in the top corner was discontinued, and the battle honours had to be arranged in a circular formation, laid on a wreath of laurels. Both battalions had similar Colours with the same battle honours. These amounted to 16 at the time, listed on the back of this Gallaher’s cigarette card, issued in 1897. Inside the laurel wreath was the regimental badge of Britannia surrounded by the title, and a Union wreath of roses, thistles and shamrocks. Queen Victoria’s crown was at the top of this central device.
The card’s title is ‘The Norfolk Regiment. 1st Battalion’. The Roman numeral in the top corner is the only way that the two battalions indicated their difference.
