British Army Uniforms 20 September 2007

NCO Royal Military Police 1999 – 1st Class
More commonly known as one of the ‘Redcaps’, the female soldier pictured here is based on the artist’s sister. She holds a 9mm automatic pistol and automatic radio and is wearing camouflage combat clothing.

Tank Commander 5th Royal Tank Regiment 1944 – 1st Class
In tank suit and black beret, this member of 5 RTR has no officer pips or NCO chevrons to identify his rank – a combat strategy adopted in the later stages of military uniform design.

Observer Royal Field Artillery 1917 – 1st Class
Again, we see no visible badges of rank here. The officer wears a goatskin jerkin over his tunic and would also have boots and breeches – these would have been the only difference in dress between him and his crew.

Rifleman 95th Rifles 1813 – 78p, Rest of World airmail up to 20gm
His uniform patched and worn from months of service in the Peninsula War, this Rifleman from the 95th regiment is armed with a deadly accurate Baker rifle. The rifle could kill over a much greater distance than the smoothbore musket issued to the redcoated infantryman. The green uniforms aided concealment as the riflemen, fighting in pairs, picked off the brightly coloured officers and NCOs of the enemy forces

Grenadier Royal Regiment of Foot of Ireland – 78p, Rest of World airmail up to 20gm
Known as the ‘Redcoats’, due to their long red coats, the uniform shown here was intended to stand out on the battlefield. The showy turned-back cuffs and embroidered tricorne hat shown here, gave the soldier added distinction.

Trooper Earl of Oxford’s Horse 1661 – 78p, Rest of World airmail up to 20gm
The full swagger of the Restoration period is apparent in the earliest uniform in the set. This horseman wears a buff leather coat and a steel cuirass to protect from sword cuts over his blue coat. The plumed hat he is doffing with such elegant flamboyance would have been replaced with a lobster-pot helmet when he went into combat.

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