Marching Order c1912

This interesting photo shows the Grenadier Guards dressed for a march, and being addressed by officers at camp. The uniform is the same as that worn on guard duty but they have full kit and gaiters. The date of this photo is not known but it is pre 1914 and post 1903. In that year webbing equipment was introduced but was not used for the full set of belts and pouches until 1908. The Guards were the last soldiers in the British army to discard the Slade Wallace valise equipment. In this photo we see the whitened equipment used to support the ammunition pouches on the front, and the greatcoat, mess-tins and cape at the back. But the haversack and water-bottle are attached to webbing belts crossed on the chest. These replaced the white canvas strap for the haversack, and the slim white leather strap for the water-bottle. The mess-tins are in a webbing cover but the straps to hold everything at the back are whitened leather. The valise had been discarded by this time so that the folded greatcoat was carried on the back, even on guard duty, and the rolled cape strapped to the back of the waist. The centre strap on the greatcoat is not apparent as it was only used for guard and review order to attach the valise badge. This photo shows an extra item between the mess-tins and the cape. This is a folded white garment which must be the undress wait-length jacket. The drummer in the foreground does not have a greatcoat on his back. The two officers in the centre of the circle of men have white straps over their left shoulder which appear to support a rolled cape on the back.

Regimental details | Uniforms