Officers, Undress c1898


These officers of the 1st battalion are wearing scarlet serge patrol jackets. There are pockets on each side of the chest and also on the hips. The chest pockets had gilt buttons and there were 5 more buttons down the front. The collar and cuffs were white as were the shoulder straps which were secured by small gilt buttons near the collar. There were no buttons on the cuff. Badges of rank were worn on the shoulder straps and a regimental badge on each side of the collar. There is a belt of the same scarlet material round the waist with a gilt buckle.

This jacket was also worn when the regiment were marching or on manoeuvres but with a white leather belt and slings to support the sword. In the order of dress shown here, the sword is worn but poked through an opening on the side of the jacket and supported by a belt underneath.

The officer seated on a chair on the left has riding boots and breeches and the ones seated on the ground have boots and black leather leggings. Breeches would have been worn by four officers of the battalion, the CO, two majors, and the adjutant. The left hand of these men wears a crimson sash over his left shoulder probably denoting his position as duty officer. They wear the blue field service cap. The officer in the middle is a general officer and the disgruntled-looking man seated at the front, on the right, is probably his ADC.


Uniforms | Regimental Details


Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames


by Stephen Luscombe