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Facing colours

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Regiments of foot were distinguished by the facing colours on their red coats: according to the time period, a contrasting colour of cloth was used to "face" the collars, cuffs and lapels of the jackets.

Until 1751 the choice of facing colour had been at the discretion of the colonel. The warrant of 1751 listed the facings, differences and distinctions for each regiment for the first time. His successor, George III, issued a further warrant dated 19 December 1768.[1] Facing colours for regiments raised after 1768 were subject to approval by the War Office, and were given in the annual Army List.[2]

Dark blue facings were reserved for "royal" regiments. In a letter of 1795 the Adjutant-General stated:

..."According to the general practice of the army, on the subject of facings to regimentals, His Majesty's pleasure has always been taken, relative to the particular colour, which a Regiment shall be permitted to wear; and that of blue has usually been reserved for the clothing of the Horse, and Foot Guards, and other Household Troops; and for such particular Corps likewise, as may have obtained His Majesty's special permission to assume in addition to the natural title of the Regiment that of royal, or the name of some of the Royal Family; all such Corps therefore in His Majesty's service, as now wear blue facings to their uniforms, have founded that privilege of assuming that (call'd Royal) colour, upon these grounds...".[3]

Accordingly, a regiment of foot, if granted the title of "royal", would alter their facing colour to blue. For example, the 6th and 35th Foot exchanged their yellow and orange facings for blue in 1832.[4]

Facing colours listed in the 1751 warrant were (dark) blue, yellow, buff, white, green and red.[5] By 1768 the range of colours had increased, with black and purple facings allocated to some regiments raised since 1751.[1] The 97th Foot, raised in 1824, had facings of a unique sky blue colour.[6]


Royal warrants of 1751 and 1768

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Prior to 1751 British Army regiments were known by their colonel's name, who was also responsible for clothing them. On July 1, 1751, George II issued a royal warrant which contained "Regulations for the Colours, Cloathing &c., of our Marching Regiments of Foot, and for the Uniform Cloathing of our Cavalry..". Under the terms of the warrant regimental numbers were allocated in place of the colonel's name, and the facings, differences and distinctions for each regiment were listed. His successor, George III, issued a further warrant dated December 19, 1768.

Regiment 1751 1768
1st or King's Regiment of Dragoon Guards Blue
2nd or Queen's Regiment of Dragoon Guards Buff
3rd Regiment of Dragoon Guards White
1st Regiment of Horse Pale blue Blue
2nd Regiment of Horse Full green
3rd Regiment of Horse of the Carabiniers Pale yellow White
4th Regiment of Horse Black
1st or Royal Dragoons Blue
2nd or Royal North British Dragoons Blue
3rd or The King's Own Regiment of Dragoons Light blue Blue
4th Regiment of Dragoons Green Full green
5th or Royal Irish Dragoons Blue
6th or the Inniskilling Dragoons Yellow
7th or the Queen's Regiment of Dragoons White
8th Regiment of Dragoons Yellow
9th Regiment of Dragoons Buff
10th Regiment of Dragoons Deep yellow
11th Regiment of Dragoons Buff
12th Regiment of Dragoons White
13th Regiment of Dragoons Light green Deep green
14th Regiment of Dragoons Lemon yellow
15th or King's Light Dragoons Raised 1759 Blue
16th or Queen's Light Dragoons Raised 1759 Blue
17th Regiment of Light Dragoons Raised 1759 White
18th Regiment of Light Dragoons Raised 1759 White
1st of the Royal Regiment of Foot Blue
2nd or The Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot Sea green Blue
3rd Regiment of Foot or The Buffs Buff
4th or The King's Own Regiment of Foot Blue
5th Regiment of Foot Gosling green
6th Regiment of Foot Deep yellow
7th or Royal Fuziliers Regiment of Foot Blue
8th or The King's Regiment of Foot Blue
9th Regiment of Foot Yellow
10th Regiment of Foot Bright yelllow
11th Regiment of Foot Full green
12th Regiment of Foot Yellow
13th Regiment of Foot Philemot yellow
14th Regiment of Foot Buff
15th Regiment of Foot Yellow
16th Regiment of Foot Yellow
17th Regiment of Foot Greyish white
18th or the Royal Irish Regiment of Foot Blue
19th Regiment of Foot Yellowish green Deep green
20th Regiment of Foot Pale yellow
21st or the Royal North British Fuziliers Regiment of Foot Blue
22nd Regiment of Foot Pale buff

Household troops

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The uniforms of the foot guards and Household Cavalry were not covered by the warrants. The royal livery of scarlet and blue was adopted, with the regiments of foot guards and the 1st and 2nd Life Guards having red uniforms faced blue, and the Royal Horse Guards reversing the colours with blue uniforms and red facings.

Royal regiments

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Dark blue facings were reserved for "royal" regiments. In a letter of 1795 the Adjutant-General stated ..."According to the general practice of the army, on the subject of facings to regimentals, His Majesty's pleasure has always been taken, relative to the particular colour, which a Regiment shall be permitted to wear; and that of blue has usually been reserved for the clothing of the Horse, and Foot Guards, and other Household Troops; and for such particular Corps likewise, as may have obtained His Majesty's special permission to assume in addition to the natural title of the Regiment that of royal, or the name of some of the Royal Family; all such Corps therefore in His Majesty's service, as now wear blue facings to their uniforms, have founded that privilege of assuming that (call'd Royal) colour, upon these grounds...".[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 1768warrant was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ A List of Officers of the Army and the Corps of Royal Marines (PDF). London: War Office. 1824. Retrieved 12 March 2010. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ Adjutant-General to Sir James Sanderson (W.O.3/14), reprinted in Strachan (1975) p.29
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference lg1832 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference 1751warrant was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ A List of Officers of the Army and the Corps of Royal Marines (PDF). London: War Office. 1827. Retrieved 12 March 2010. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ Adjutant-General to Sir James Sanderson (Wo3/14), cited in Hew Strachan, British Military Uniforms 1768-1796: The dress of the British Army from official sources, London