Private 1815

The uniform worn by this figure painted by Pierre Turner conforms to the 1812 changes, showing a private trooper of the Greys in marching order. The bearskin cap has a plaited cord around the middle which is yellow to match the lace. Both cords and lace were white before 1812. The white plume is made of feathers rather than horsehair. The yellow lace on his jacket (or collett) is similar in pattern to the gold lace worn by officers, and covers the shoulder straps. Around his waist is a girdle of yellow and blue stripes. He has a white leather pouch-belt with a black leather ammunition pouch, and white leather waist-belt for his sword and sabretache. His undress overalls are grey with a double blue stripe and buttons up the middle. The blue trouser stripes were a distinction of the Greys and can be seen in a painting by J P Fischer of 1814 in the Royal Collection in which both an officer and a trumpeter have these stripes. They also feature in Denis Dighton's painting of Sgt Ewart capturing the Eagle of the 45th at Waterloo. In marching order the haversack and water-bottle were slung from the right shoulder. This is taken also from Dighton's painting as is the moustache. Hussars were allowed to have moustaches at this time but heavy and light dragoons were not. For some reason the Scots Greys were allowed this privilege.

Regimental Details | Uniforms