The 25th Regiment had arrived on the island of Minorca in June 1769, and over the next few months the officers and men received new uniforms, conforming to changes made in the Clothing Warrant of 1768.
This painting, one of six made by the Italian artist Guiseppe Chiesa (not signed or dated), shows two men of the grenadier company on the left, and three ‘hat men’ of one of the battalion companies. The nearest grenadier is a corporal, signified by the red and white twisted cords hanging from his shoulder. The black bearskin caps are new‑issue items, replacing the former, more ornate fur caps that had a red‑edged silver plate on the front. Lord Lennox had applied for permission to provide his grenadiers with fur caps as early as 1763, but this was not granted until 1766.
It is generally accepted that the Warrant of 1768 required grenadiers of the British infantry regiments to have fur caps with a universal black‑and‑white metal plate on the front, with the Royal Crest and NEC ASPERA TERRENT inscribed. However, evidence provided by this artist shows that grenadiers of the 25th, and two other regiments stationed on Minorca at this time, wore plain fur caps.
The new coats seen here have deep yellow facings, as before, but different lace loops. They have the same coloured lines—blue, yellow and red—but are bastion‑shaped. The lapels, collar and cuffs are not edged in lace as before. The same pattern loops are also on the red shoulder wings and can just be seen on the coat‑tail pockets. These coat tails are permanently fixed to lie either side on the hips, fastened with a red flower shape and button. The turn‑backs show a white lining, whereas the previous coat showed yellow turn‑backs.
The waistcoats are plain white instead of red; there are no lace button‑holes, and the breeches are white instead of buff. The lower legs are covered with black gaiters fastened with a profusion of white‑metal buttons.
The 2.75‑inch‑wide belt on the left shoulder supports a black pouch for ammunition and grenades. There is a brass match‑case fixed to the front containing a lighted taper to ignite the grenade fuse. The belt on the right shoulder is for the sword and bayonet. It is a narrower belt because it is the former waist‑belt, adapted for the shoulder.
The battalion company men wear similar pattern uniforms apart from the black tricorn hat, white‑edged, with a sprig of leaves attached to the cockade. The front corner of the hat is over the left eye. The nearest man is also a corporal, with cords on his right shoulder. The narrow shoulder belt carries a bayonet. Only the grenadiers were armed with swords at this stage.
