| Timmo uk | 23 Jun 2009 5:08 a.m. PST |
I've come across various references to different uniforms worn during the 1882-85 Sudan campaigns. Once school of thought says grey the other that they wore their blue undress uniform. I have seen a reproduction of a Melton Prior drawing done during a battle where his footnotes state 'all troops in grey except RMLI in blue'. Since he was there I trust that ref. but I do appreciate that they may have worn different uniforms at different time due to wear and tear and supply. I really want to do them in blue but what are your thoughts? |
| GiloUK | 23 Jun 2009 5:27 a.m. PST |
Timmo – do them in blue and then show us pics. :^) Giles |
 Doms Decals  | 23 Jun 2009 5:48 a.m. PST |
I seem to recall they wore the blue for the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian campaign, but were issued the light grey for the Sudan campaign. Gleichen, who was with the Camel Corps, describes the RMLI as in grey with white helmets in the Sudan. <Edit> Just found this:
link
Note the photo – definitely doesn't look like navy blue, although of course they might have varied the uniform I suppose. |
 aegiscg47  | 23 Jun 2009 5:55 a.m. PST |
Blue for the Egyptian 1882 campaign and gray for the early Sudan campaign. |
| Timmo uk | 23 Jun 2009 6:31 a.m. PST |
Thanks all, the Melton Prior quote I found was at El Teb 1884 where he states they wore blue so I still can't decide not that I yet have to. |
| Tommy20 | 23 Jun 2009 7:22 a.m. PST |
You answered your own question.
I really want to do them in blue but what are your thoughts? Do them in blue. |
| Timmo uk | 23 Jun 2009 7:58 a.m. PST |
Yup Kind of unless somebody had come up and said Melton Prior was a drunk and really couldn't be relied on. Or that the RMLI only wore blue with pristine white helmets at El Teb then I'd know for sure – which I'd still like to know. Evidence still suggests they wore both at different times. Was my own poor wording of my question. What about the Rifles? Grey or Green? |
Lee Brilleaux  | 23 Jun 2009 8:14 a.m. PST |
My best guess would be that the RMLI wore blue at Suakin in the spring of 1884, but was issued grey for the Gordon relief expedition later in the year. Rifles? Probably grey with black leatherwork. But mine are in green, because it's iconic (and anyway, they are 6mms, so they can go to Zululand in the same kit, and nobody's going to point out that the puggarees are wrong) |
 Wolfshanza | 23 Jun 2009 8:37 a.m. PST |
Just to complicate the issue <chuckle> The Mahdist Wars Source Book (volume 1)has a source for RMLI in red jackets (1884-1885) on page 89. They probably gave up their red jackets for grey when they joined the desert column ? |
| Timmo uk | 23 Jun 2009 9:04 a.m. PST |
Wolf he he… interesting though. Red would be their full dress jacket colour but MJS has tipped the balance and I feel comfortable with my preferred blue. Thanks all. |
| Wolfshanza | 23 Jun 2009 9:13 a.m. PST |
Mine are all in blue, both 15 and 25  |
| Royal Marine | 24 Jun 2009 3:05 a.m. PST |
Blue will be fine. But only if you post pictures. Campaign conditions mean that troops could have deployed in blue and/or other (Grey?). |
| Timmo uk | 24 Jun 2009 7:17 a.m. PST |
So how about the helmets: white or stained? |
| Lee Brilleaux | 24 Jun 2009 9:19 p.m. PST |
Oh, tough call. I think white for marines in blue. It's important to be spiffy, not like those scruffs in the Royal Berks. |
| Royal Marine | 25 Jun 2009 3:18 p.m. PST |
Now then, if the Corps has been in a hard fight, which usually it is as it always goes looking for a good dust up I would say that off-white would be acceptable for the helmets – at least until they get back into barracks and the RSM gets around the lads. |
| Timmo uk | 25 Aug 2009 2:14 p.m. PST |
And the answer appears to be… buff helmets. Been doing some research into this and found this… link |
| Jack Jones | 20 Feb 2020 2:59 a.m. PST |
Hello All I am about to begin preparing my Perry Miniatures' RMLI (a combination of infantry, light infantry command, and Naval Brigade command), and I am wondering about insignia on the uniforms. Can I use the LI command figure with three stripes? Which other marks of rank were there during the period to 1885? Advice here will be gratefully received, thank you. JJ |
| Royal Marine | 23 Feb 2020 5:57 a.m. PST |
Marks of rank for the RMLI will have followed Army regulations. The Three stripes denote a Sergeant. Depending on size of unit, scale of rules etc you may wish to consider modelling Officers, NCOs (Warrant Officer, Colour Sergeant, Sergeant, Corporal and Lance Corporal) and Marines. |
| Royal Marine | 23 Feb 2020 5:59 a.m. PST |
Just found this:
and link |
| Jack Jones | 24 Feb 2020 2:50 a.m. PST |
Thank you RM! I am planning modelling a small unit comprising an officer, bugler, sergeant, and Marines, 20 figures in all, representing the equivalent of an infantry company. Cheers JJ |
| Royal Marine | 28 Feb 2020 3:31 p.m. PST |
JJ, good luck and we hope to see some images soon ;-) |
| Jack Jones | 29 Feb 2020 3:06 a.m. PST |
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