"British Infantry : Guard vs Line" Topic

A friend was asking me about the salient differences in uniform. Part of doing some conversions. I know some of Guard units had white pants vs grey, and different shako plates. But what about cockades ? Shoulder boards? Are their rules of thumb or good reference books/sites?

Thanks in advance.

The uniform was pretty much the same. Guard regiments wore grey trousers as well. The 1812 uniform with the Belgic shako brought in the grey trousers when on campaign. The white trousers were for dress use and left at home.

I believe all British Guard companies wore shoulder wings [blue with white lace and fringe], and not just the two flank companies, as was the case in the line [red with white lace and fringe]. I also believe there was a star device carried on the cartridge pouch.
The idea that the Guards wore white trousers at Waterloo was based upon a painting [Dighton] taken from life during the occupation of Paris subsequent to Waterloo, however, as pointed out above they wore grey at the battle.

No, only the flank companies had shoulder-wings (only light infantry and fusiliers had whole battalions wearing wings). However, one or two Guards battalions had an extra light company (by converting one of the centre companies).

As has been said, the white trousers at Waterloo are a myth, though they did indeed wear white trousers like everyone else during the earlier part of the war.

NCOs' sashes were plain crimson without a facing-coloured stripe, so were just like those of the officers. However, some were observed in the Peninsula coloured red/white/blue!

There are some differences in lace:

1. There was lace edging to the cuffs, which line regiments didn't have.

2. There was a vertical strip of lace edging to the front seam of the coat, which the line regiments didn't have.

3. The lace and buttons of the 3rd Foot Guards were uniquely grouped in threes.

4. The NCOs' coats were very heavily laced in gold lace.

5. Drummers' lace was mixed blue/white.

Only the fuziliers and Lt Inf had the shoulder wings for all companies.
The guards distinction was white piping on the cuffs etc and blue instead of red for the flank co shoulder wing back ground( 1812 version issue confirmed- prior IANSure).
Otherwise they looked much like regular line.
MG

only the flank companies had shoulder-wings

Darn…. Looks like I just gained a whole bunch of Guards flank companies…. or with a bit of red paint maybe a Fusilier battalion. Thanks for the correction.

Main thing to remember is that the Colours stood different to the line – the King's Colour still stood in the senior position to the right, but in the Guards the King's Colour was the coloured flag, the Regimental colour was the Union flag! Net effect, reverse to the line regiments.

Huh! Thanks for that last item.

Excellent point re the colours. Like so:

Thanks everyone !

Weren't the Fusiliers' wings blue as well?

The 7th's yes, the 21st and 23rd, straps were blue, the crest being red with regimental lace.

Paul :)

However, one or two Guards battalions had an extra light company (by converting one of the centre companies).

I'm not sure if they had time to do this in the 100 Days. Also, was it by converting a centre company? I thought they actually created a "new" company by transferring all the best shots from the 8 centre companies, such a unit being commonly known as "picked men".

As has been said, the white trousers at Waterloo are a myth, though they did indeed wear white trousers like everyone else during the earlier part of the war.

Just to clarify, the battalions of the 2nd and 3rd Guards DID wear white trousers, but they were delivered after the units had arrived in Paris. This is where Dighton saw and recorded them for his famous Hougoumont painting, hence the erroneous depiction of white trousers in that.

NCOs' sashes were plain crimson without a facing-coloured stripe, so were just like those of the officers. However, some were observed in the Peninsula coloured red/white/blue!

Was this for all three regiments by that stage? I am pretty certain that the change came with the 1800 regs, as there is an embarkation painting showing a sergeant with a multi-coloured sash, which is reproduced in the "Wellington's Foot Guards" Osprey. The painting dates from around 1800-1802, I think. Prior to the 1790s, it was blue stripe for the 1st, none for the 2nd, and white-over-dark blue for the 3rd.