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The uniform of the 49th Regiment of Foot: |
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Front view of a private, Battalion Company, 49th Foot. The private is from a battalion company within the regiment. You can see this by the white over red tuff on the front top of his lacquered felt 7 inch high "stovepipe" shako. The shako plate is of standard British Infantry issue. His shoulder straps end with a worsted wool tuff and the false pockets at the side of the coatee are horizontal. He wears the standard issued buff, leather crossbelts. One hold the scabbard and bayont (over the right shoulder) and the black, leather cartridge box (over the left shoulder). His trousers are made of sail cloth, as ordered by Brock before the outbreak of the war. Black, wool gaitors cover his leather boots to help keep dirt and pebbles out. He wears a Trotter back pack to carry his extra belongings with him and a grey woolen blanket rolled at top. His weapon is an India Pattern (or 3rd pattern) Brown Bess. |
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Rear Right View
Here you can see the cartridge box and the back of his back pack. Most units had the number or design to represents the regiment. Behind him to his left, is a soldiers wedge tent which was small and cramp in size. |
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Rear Left View You can see that the private carries his bayonet on the left side for easy access and his wooden canteen. A white canvas haversack is carried on his left side. The haversack would hold his daily rations of food and sometimes personal items like a pipe and tobacco. The arrow on the haversack and the canteen was a mark of the Board of Ordanace. This met it was acquired and issued by the British Army. |
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Captain, Battalion Company, 49th Foot This is an officer of a battalion company within the regiment. The officer wears a plain coatee with a short tail as this was common by this time. No lace is found on the coatee as it is a field dress uniform. His formal uniform would've had gold embroidered stiching wear the common soldiers lace would be. His jacket is double breasted and can be worn open, as shown, or closed across his chest. On his headdress you can see the white over red feather plum indicating he is from a battalion company. He wears a crimson sash around his waist, a symbol of a commission officer. On his right shoulder is a gold epaulet which indicates he is a Lieutenant or Captain. Major and above wore two, one on each shoulder. Behind this officer, you can see a marquis tent. He is where one officer could be found while in camp. |
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Drill / Barracks Dress This uniform was worn while performing drill. It was also worn, minus the shako and crossbelts, when on a work party or forging. He would also wear this outfit while in barracks off duty. |
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Sergeant, Battalion Company, 49th Foot A few Sergeants would be assigned to each company within the regiment. He was responsible for the men in the company during drill, work parties and off course, on the battlefield. He wears a similar uniform as the privates and NCOs. Except, he wears a crimson sash with the regiments facing colour in the centre. Also, his lace does not have any regimental "worm" or stitiching within it. He carries a cane as a symbol of his authority on the parade ground and to assist in drill instruction. He wears a standard issued NCO infantry sword on his left side. His rank insignia is on the right upper sleeve only. If he was a Sergeant with a light company, he would have it on both sleeves. The sergeant is identified by three chevrons. |
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Rocky Road To Dublin
Regimental Lace & Button This is an example of the 49th Regimental lace. The green wool facing has faded over the years. The 'worm' or stitching is red on the inner and outer sides of the lace with a single green in the middle. The lace is shaped in a 'bastion' loop. The enlistment men (private, L/Cpl and Corporal) would wear this lace down the front around the buttons, on the cuffs, the false pockets, and trim around the collar and shoulder straps. Each regiment in the British Army would have different colours and one of 4 different types of lace patterns. This would help identify the regiment the soldier belonged to. |
