Officer, Levee Dress c1810

The 19th spent 24 years in Ceylon from 1796 to 1820 so missed out on the Napoleonic wars. This officer poses in the uniform that developed in the Regency period, favoured by dandies. He is dressed more for social occasions in England than the tropics so is probably a young ensign waiting to sail out to join the regiment c1810. The coat still had long tails but reserved for formal wear. From around 1811 a short tailed coat was worn when on duty. The waistcoat was discontinued and the coat fastened across the front, sometimes with the lapels buttoned back but more often as seen here with the top of the lapels folded back. It seems that the 19th did not favour gold lace like most other regiments. The green facing colour is dark, and the buttons are placed in pairs. The high collar is open at the throat to show the black silk stock. The single gold epaulette worn on the right shoulder had a bullion fringe. It reached half way up the collar to attach to a small button. Field officers had two epaulettes and rank badges. The white breeches and knee boots were only worn at court or for levees. For active duty grey trousers were worn with short boots underneath. His sword belt has a gilt belt-plate and he has a crimson silk sash worn around the waist with the fringed ends hanging on the left side. In his left hand he holds his large bicorne hat, sometimes worn fore-and-aft and at other times side-to-side.

Regimental Details | Uniforms