"43rd & 52nd British Foot Uniform Question" Topic

Did the 43rd and 52nd British regiments in Crauford's Light Division have regular uniform details, same as other line regiments? i.e. did the centre companies of the 43rd and 52nd have shako plumes and shoulder tufts like other center companies, or were all companies in these two regiments adorned like flank companies with shoulder wings and green shako plumes?

All light infantry regiments wore elite company wings and green tufts for all companies. There were no fusilier or grenadier companies in light infantry battalions. In addition as light infantry they wore the bugle badge on the shako as opposed to the traditional brass plate worn by line infantry

Yep. And of course officers would also wear the shako, and sergeants carried muskets not half pikes. Pelisses were popular amongst the 43rd's officers I believe either red ones or grey ones.

Hi Guys,

I have a copy of Franklin's "British Napoleonic Uniforms" which is about the best I have found.

Up to 1803 the 43rd and 52nd centre companies had tufts like line regiments, from 1803 to 1815 they had wings the same as the grenadier and light companies.

Regards,

Ron

wargames-den.com

That would be because they only formally became Light Battalions in 1803.

The same is also true for the uniforms of the 51st, 68th etc once they became officially designated Lights.

Interestingly though, in a book I just finished (Garrety. Soldiering with the Division) He made reference to one of the battalion flank companies (in the 43rd) being sent to do something. Don't have time now to dig for the exact reference. This while in the Peninsula.
Phil

Valmy92 wrote:

Interestingly though, in a book I just finished (Garrety. Soldiering with the Division) He made reference to one of the battalion flank companies (in the 43rd) being sent to do something. Don't have time now to dig for the exact reference. This while in the Peninsula.
Phil

Interesting. When I researched the authorised establishments of the entire British Army from 1802-1815, I discovered (to my surprise) that all of the light infantry and rifle regiments had a structure which implied that they had flank companies, even although their dress suggested that all companies were light. The difference being that centre companies had 1 captain, 2 lieutenants and 1 ensign whereas flank companies had 1 captain and 3 lieutenants, but no ensigns. Grenadier companies also had 2 fifers as well as their drummers. Light and rifle battalions had all these same characteristics, although I suspect it was just to ensure that they did not miss out on the extra lieutenants posts, and the alternative of all subalterns being lieutenants, with no ensigns, was not approved (although it was unusually for the 7th Royal Fusiliers only).

Just for completeness I would mention that battalions with authorised establishments of 800 rank & file, or less, had one less lieutenant per company. Light and rifle battalions also had one extra sergeant and corporal per company compared to other battalions.

Rod