"1st Madras Fusiliers corporal stripes" Topic

Would I be correct in thinking that a corporal in the 1st Madras Fusiliers during the Indian Mutiny would have two (white) chevrons on his right sleeve only?
Thanks for any help!

Willie

Right arm only, correct. IIRC, the Madras Fusiliers wore a white tunic, so I wonder if white chevrons would show up? I have seen illustrations of red chevrons on white tunics during the Mutiny, but not specifically on the Madras Fusiliers.

Check out the Iron Duke Miniatures site for more detailed info. link
Now I can't remember if Fusiliers wore chevrons on both arms or not. I recall they wore wings, like Light infantry, until wings were done away with.

Just checked the Victorian Military Discussion Board and it confirms that "chevrons are worn on both sleeves, a distinction at that time of highlanders, light infantry and fusiliers and a practice that was discontinued in 1881"

Thanks Nick;

Actually the Madras Fusiliers are said to have worn an 'off- white' smock which probably meant a light khaki. So the white chevrons might show up nicely against this.
I was hoping it would have been just on the right arm as now I'll not only have to sculpt two but also provide the sergeant with an extra one.

Yes, saw the red chevrons as well, or rather white ones lined red on a white smock. Also found a really nice one of a KRRC corporal ina faded green uniform with black chevrons ( on both arms) again lined and backed in red.

More like a "dirty shirt gray", as opposed to a khaki'ish color. Not unlike the color of shirts Indiana Jones wore out in the field.

Not sure why info about rank chevrons is so hard to come by. I assume that the regiments that adopted the dyed tunics or shirtsleeves during the hot weather simply transferred their chevrons from their red tunics to the new uniform. I was hoping for some definitive answers from the Iron Duke's site, but his painted units show not one chevron among them – not even a sergeant. Is it a conspiracy?

Not sure why info about rank chevrons is so hard to come by. I assume that the regiments that adopted the dyed tunics or shirtsleeves during the hot weather simply transferred their chevrons from their red tunics to the new uniform. I was hoping for some definitive answers from the Iron Duke's site, but his painted units show not one chevron among them – not even a sergeant. Is it a conspiracy?

It's not just those chevrons. I can name a few dozen details that are obscure to say the least. Try finding details about Native Infantry drums or their white undress uniform for example.
A definitive book on the Indian Mutiny uniforms is long overdue. Perhaps we can convince the good Col.Snook to produce another masterpiece?

French shows a BENGAL fusilier sergeant with the (white) chevrons on the right sleeve only hence my original question. Now, obscurity can be a good thing too. No-one to tell you that you're wrong

I found at least one reference illustration for both the white undress uniform and the native infantry drums in Boris Mollo's The Indian Army, pages 94 and 95. Totally agree, a definitive reference work would be a great thing to have!