Uniforms
Posted by Captain Everett on March 17, 1998 at 20:51:48:
In response to no apologies..., written by P. Bingham on March 17, 1998 at 13:10:24
] That was completely appropriate! Thank you for the pictures. You should post them all. What made your uniforms different from the British? Forgive me for being stupid, I realize Canada was British, but did their uniforms differ? Curious.
]
] Patricia
There wasn't anything particularly distinctive about the uniforms in Canada. Uniforms were, however, very distinctive as to Regiment. If you look at different pictures of redcoats, you will notice variations in detail. The most obvious is that of "facings" (the colour of cuff, collar, and on the officers, lapels). Facings could be blue (for "royal" regiments), yellow, various shades of blue, black, white, buff, red, and so on. Next, the lacing (tape) on the front of the uniform can be simple rectangles with square ends, with pointed ends, or "bastion" (ending in a diamond or "jews-harp" shape). In some Regiments the lace was grouped in pairs, or in threes. For Privates, running through the lace was the "worm". thin lines of various colour (eg. one of yellow, one of blue, for the 8th Foot). And finally, regimental numbers or names could be found on buttons, cap badges, cross belt plates, etc. Light Infantry and Grenadier Companies within the regiment were distinguished by wings on the shoulders, and green and white cap plumes respectively. (If you take a second look at the picture above, to the left is a section of the Light Company of the 6th Foot. To the right, presenting arms, is the Grenadiers of the 8th (King's) Regiment).
Not all jackets were red. The Royal Artillery for example wore blue coats, with red facings. Some rifle units wore green, as did the 95th (as in the Sharpe) movies. Other colours and patterns could be used, eg. the Voltigeurs, raised in Lower Canada (Quebec) wore grey jackets, trimmed in black, with short fur caps.
My own uniform conforms to a Militia General Order of June 21, 1814: Scarlet coat, blue facings, yellow buttons (mine are gilt), gold lace outlining cuff and collar, and a plain epaulette. There is also evidence this was well established before that date, and the Regulation was to achieve conformity (and I have always expected, prevent one=upmanship). Many Regular Regiments' officers had gold lace across the front of the jacket. Regiments designated Light Infantry usually had silver lacing. A few Regiments did not have any lace trimmig (and most officers who were allowed it kept an unlaced jacket for everyday use). I found it interesting in some of the better researched JA movies that the officers of the Militia also limited the gold lace to cuff, collar, lapel, and a few other details, but not across the chest.
If there are any specific questions about uniforms, I would be happy to try to provide the answer.
I remain, etc.
Jason E.
- as a matter of fact... P. Bingham 22:35:05 3/17/98
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