1st Gurkhas


British Officer, c1890


The 1st battalion took to wearing rifle green in 1888 and this officer wears the typical British rifle regiment uniform. It differed markedly from the uniform worn by Gurkha native officers in that the well-tailored tunic was decorated with 5 rows of black braid. The collar and cuffs were scarlet and his sleeve is embellished with an Austrian knot to show that he is below the rank of captain, and in fact the two pips on his shoulder denote lieutenant rank. The pouchbelt is black patent leather with a distinctive silver badge between the chain boss and whistle. He holds an early pattern helmet covered in dark green cloth with a green silk pagri.


Uniforms | Regimental History


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