19th December, 1768 (WO30/13B)

George R

Our will and pleasure is, that the following regulations for the colours, clothing, etc. of Our marching regiments of foot, be duly observed and put in execution, at such times as the particulars are or shall be furnished.

No Colonel is to put his arms, crest, device, or livery, on any part of the appointments of the regiment under his command.

COLOURS. The King's, or first colour of every regiment, is to be the Great Union throughout.

The second Colour to be the colour of the facing of the regiment, with the Union in the upper canton; except those regiments which are faced with red, white, or black. The second colour of those regiments which are faced with red or white, is to be the red cross of St. George in a white field, and the Union in the upper canton. The second colour of those which are faced with black, is to be St. George's cross throughout; Union in the upper canton; the three other cantons, black.

In the center of each colour is to be painted, or embroidered, in gold Roman characters, the number of the rank of the regiment, within the wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk; except those regiments which are allowed to wear any royal devices, or ancient badges; on whose colours the rank of the regiment is to be painted, or embroidered, towards the upper corner. The size of the colours to be six feet six inches flying, and six feet deep on the pike. The length of the pike (spear and ferril included) to be nine feet ten inches. The cords and tassels of the whole to be crimson and gold mixed.

DRUMS. The drums to be wood. The front to be painted with the colour of the facing of the regiment, with the King's cypher and crown, and the number of the regiment under it.

BELLS OF ARMS. The bells of arms to be painted in the same manner.

CAMP COLOURS. The camp colours to be eighteen inches square, and of the colour of the facing of theregiment, with the number of the regiment upon them. The poles to be seven feet six inches long, except those of the Quarter and rear guards, which are to be nine feet.

UNIFORM OF THE OFFICERS. The number of each regiment to be on the buttons of the uniforms of the Officers and men. The coats to be lappelled to the waist with the colour of the facing of the regiment, and the colour not to be varied from what is particularly specified hereafter. They may be without embroidery or lace; but, if the Colonel thinks proper, either gold or silver embroidered or laced button-holes are permitted. To have cross pockets, and sleeves with round cuffs, and no slits. The lappels and cuffs to be of the same breadth as is ordered for the men.

EPAULETTES. The Officers of grenadiers to wear an epaulette on each shoulder. Those of the battalion to wear one on the right shoulder. They are to be either of embroidery or lace, with gold or silver fringe.

WAISTCOATS. The waistcoats to be plain, without either embroidery or lace.

SWORDS and SWORD KNOTS. The swords of each regiment to be uniform, and the sword-knots of the whole to be crimson and gold in stripes. The hilts of the swords to be either gilt or silver, according to the colour of the buttons on the uniforms.

HATS. The hats to be laced either with gold or silver, as hereafter specified, and to be cocked uniformly.

SASHES AND GORGETS. The sashes to be of crimson silk, and worn round the waist. The King's arms to be engraved on the gorgets; also the number of the regiment. They are to be either gilt or silver, according to the colour of the buttons on the uniforms. The badges of those regiments which are entitled to any, are also to be engraved [see below].

CAPS, FUZILS AND POUCHES FOR THE GRENADIER OFFICERS. The Officers of the grenadiers to wear black bear-skin caps; and to have fuzils, shoulder-belts, and pouches. The shoulder-belts to be white or buff, according to the colour of their waistcoats.

ESPONTOONS. The battalion Officers to have espontoons.

GAITERS. The whole to have black linen gaiters, with black buttons, and small stiff tops, black garters, and uniform buckles.

SEARJEANT'S COATS. The coats of the Serjeants to be lappelled to the waist, with the colour of the facing of the regiment. The button-holes of the coat to be of white braid. Those on the waistcoats to be plain. The Serjeants of grenadiers to have fuzils, pouches, and caps. Those of the battalion to have halberts, and no pouches.

SERJEANT'S SASHES. The sashes to be of crimson worsted, with a stripe of the colour of the facing of the regiment, and worn round the waist. Those of the regiments which are faced with red, to have a stripe of white.

CORPORAL'S COATS. The coats of the Corporals to have a silk epaulette on the right shoulder.

GRENADIER'S COATS. The coats of the grenadiers to have the usual round wings of red cloth on the point of the shoulder, with six loops of the same sort of lace as on the buttonholes, and a border round the bottom.

PRIVATE MEN'S COATS. The men's coats to be looped with worsted lace, but no border. The ground of the lace to be white, with coloured stripes. To have white [metal] buttons. The breadth of the lace which is to make the loop round the button-hole, to be about half an inch. Four loops to be on the sleeves, and four on the pockets, with two on each side of the slit behind.

LAPPELS, SLEEVES AND POCKETS. The breadth of all the lappels to be three inches, to reach down to the waist, and not to be wider at the top than at the bottom. The sleeves of the coats to have a small round cuff, without any slit, and to be made so that they may be unbuttoned and let down. The whole to have cross pockets, but no flaps to those of the waistcoat. The cuffs of the sleeve which turns up, to be three inches and a half deep. The flap on the pocket of the coat to be sewed down, and the pocket to be cut in the lining of the coat.

SHOULDER BELTS AND WAIST BELTS. The breadth of the shoulder-belts to be two inches and three quarters; that of the waist belt to be two inches; and those regiments which have buff waistcoats, are to have buff-coloured accoutrements. Those which have white waistcoats, are to have white.

DRUMMER'S AND FIFER'S COATS. The coats of the drummers and fifers of all the royal regiments are to be red, faced and lappelled with blue, and laced with royal lace. The waistcoats, breeches, and lining of the coats, to be of the same colour as that which is ordered for their respective regiments. The coats of the drummers and fifers of those regiments which are faced with red, are to be white, faced, lappelled, and lined with red; red waistcoats and breeches. Those of all the other regiments are to be of the colour of the facing of their regiments; faced and lappelled with red. The waistcoats, breeches, and lining of those which have buff or white coats, are to be red. Those of all the others are to be of the same colour as that which is ordered for the men. To be laced in such manner as the Colonel shall think fit. The lace to be of the colour of that on the soldiers' coats. The coats have no hanging sleeves behind.

DRUMMER'S AND FIFER'S CAPS. The drummers and fifers to have black bear-skin caps. On the front, the King's crest, of silver plated metal, on a black ground, with trophies of colours and drums. The number of the regiment on the back part; as also the badge, if entitled to any, as ordered for the grenadiers.

GRENADIER'S CAPS. The caps of the grenadiers to be of black bear-skin. On the front, the King's crest, of silver plated metal, on a black ground, with the motto, Nec aspera terrent. A grenade on the back part, with the number of the regiment,on it. The royal regiments, and the six old corps, are to have the crest and grenade, and also the other particulars as hereafter specified. The badge of the royal regiments is to be white, and set on near the top of the back part of the cap. The height of the cap (without the bear-skin, which reaches beyond the top) to be twelve inches.

HATS OF THE WHOLE. The hats of the Serjeants to be laced with silver. Those of the Corporals and private men to have a white tape binding. The breadth of the whole to be one inch and a quarter; and no more to be on the back part of the brim, than what is necessary to sew it down. To have black cockades.

CAPS FOR THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE REGIMENTS OF FUZILEERS. The regiments of fuzileers to have black bear-skin caps. They are to be made in the same manner as those which are ordered for the grenadiers, but not so high; and not to have the grenade on the back part.

SWORDS. All the Serjeants of the regiment, and the whole grenadier company, to have swords. The Corporals and private men of the battalion companies (excepting the regiment of Royal Highlanders) to have no swords. All the drummers and fifers to have a short sword with a scimitar blade.

GAITERS. The Serjeants, Corporals, drummers, fifers, and private men, to have black gaiters of the same sort as is ordered for the Officers; also black garters and uniform buckles.

PIONEERS. Each pioneer to have an axe, a saw, and an apron; a cap with a leather crown, and a black bear-skin front, on which is to be the King's crest in white, on a red ground; also an axe and a saw. The number of the regiment to be on the back part of the cap.

(Source: Strachan, pp 171-175)

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