"Waterloo- British Officers Red Jackets " Topic

Another Newbie question and just trying to add a bit of variety to my Brits . Did any officers including junior use the older style longer jacket in red at the time of Waterloo? Or were they all the more modern shorter length jacket ?

Thanks guys

As far as I know they should be wearing the shorter jacket. But this is the British Army we are talking about so anything is possible….

officers are a rule unto themselves, even lower ranks, and the higher up the more drab or extravagant of the extreme they become! For a simple example look at Wellington and then look at Murat.

And don't forget Picton.

There is a good chance that officers at Waterloo were all in the 'new' jacket. They would have had three years to have one made, there had been a short period of peace to sort themselves out and being young 'fashionable gentlemen' they would want to be cutting the latest dash. From my experience young officers have always led the way in adopting new uniforms.

As an aside, the officers' jackets really were scarlet. I always paint them so and have the rank and file in a duller red.

Even more important is the lack of bicornes for occifers ……….and Belgic Shakos instead, for anyone at Regimental level, by 1815. More obvious than a longer tailed coat.

Staff officers wore long tailed jackets and bicorns.

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Paul :)

Hmm, I thought we were talking about regimental officers in the infantry. As with all armies, the uniforms could vary from arm to arm. As Dibble has it, the staff (generals, ADCs etc.) wore the long tailed coat. You have to check each unit to be safe.

Three Armies

officers are a rule unto themselves, even lower ranks, and the higher up the more drab or extravagant of the extreme they become! For a simple example look at Wellington and then look at Murat.

Wellington wore his dad's clothes, Murat wore his mum's.

:D

Here's three regiments to be going on with.

Paul :)

Thanks for your excellent input.

It looks like I could justify the odd old style coat. It will just give that bit of variety and a reason to use a couple of old Victrix metal Colonels I bought some years ago.

Officers: The CO of the French battalion attached to the US 2nd Division in 1952 in Korea lounged around his HQ in pajamas and robe.

"TO YOUNG OFFICERS

Ever since the days of the Ancient Pistol, we find that a large and broad brimmed beaver has been peculiar to heroes. A hat of this kind worn over your right eye, with two large dangling tassels, and a proportionate cockade and feather, will give you an air of courage and martial gallantry.

The fashion of your dress must depend on that ordered in your corps, that is in direct oppositon to it: for it would show a deplorable poverty of genius if you had not some of your own ideas in dress.

Never wear your uniform in quarters if you can avoid it. A green or a brown coat shows you have other clothes beside your regimentals, and likewise that you have courage to disobey a standing order… at least mount a pair of black breeches, a round hat or something unregimental or unmilitary."

(Advice to Officers of the British Army, 1782)

@42flanker – love it, made me laugh. Seems quitesentially British.

An excellent little thread, thanks to all. IT illustrates very well my point on another thread about never becoming obsessed with 'Official' uniform regs.

Wait, Murat wore Wellington's mum's clothes?!!!

She gave regularly to the Goodwill, it seems. There's a reason they were called "sans culottes".

I always love the British regimental attitudes. I admire that their traditions are martial, but not militaristic -- a subtle but important distinction.

Guthroth :
An excellent little thread, thanks to all. IT illustrates very well my point on another thread about never becoming obsessed with 'Official' uniform regs.

I can understand the age deteriorates the cloth but even the red is brick red , the yellow is pale lemon and the straps are so off white its not a shade of white but ivory

Ver nice job!.

Major Baring at Waterloo

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Armand

I believe it was a rule in the King's Regiment that if two officers appeared on parade dressed identically, the junior would be sent back to his quarters with orders to change.