Hello readers, and welcome to a new online blog series created by one of the Dorset History Centre’s newest volunteer research teams. Our names are Andrew and Adrian, and we have been scouring many of the local books and records concerning the history of the Dorset Regiment, with particular attention paid to the evolution of its military uniforms in times of war and peace. Whilst there is a wealth of knowledge regarding the military exploits of the Dorset Regiment (and its precursor antecedents), we felt that some attention should be paid to the often over looked matter of one of an army’s most important aspects: the uniform!
As many of you will be aware, the formation of the Dorset Regiment is somewhat convoluted, and there is still some debate amongst military historians as to the exact date of its establishment. After much research, we have decided to start this series from February 13th 1702; a key date in the modern history of the regiment, as this is when the cornerstone of its current incarnation was first laid via the raising of the 39th Regiment of Foot in Ireland by Colonel Richard Coote during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714).
Early Beginnings: The 39th Regiment of Foot (1702)
Contemporary records of the regiment contain limited (and sometimes contradictory) details regarding the creation and construction of the uniform itself. However, of the various descriptions we have found, there appears to be several key elements which formed the basis of the “standard” issue uniform of British line regiments at the time; many of which apply to the 39th.
Perhaps the most well-known and visibly striking of these elements are the dark red tunics foot soldiers in the wider British Army commonly wore as part of their main battle dress. Sometimes described as scarlet in colour, these “redcoats” were typically tailor made using plain weave broadcloth consisting of dense, coarse wool. Local tailors were often contracted specifically to craft these garments, and it was not uncommon for tailors to formally attach themselves to regiments during overseas tours. In comparison, officer’s tunics were often hand made using higher quality materials such as fine wool cloth adorned with velvet or silk innards and facings. Gilt metal buttons and shoulder epaulettes were also a staple of an officer’s uniform, particularly on their “full dress coatees”, which were commonly used as formal dress uniforms in the mid-to-late 18th century.
Whilst the wearing of such dark coloured tunics, typically worn alongside waistcoats and breeches, was customary during the early 18th century, one aspect of the uniform specific to the 39th was the notable inclusion of pea green facings. These generally refer to the visible inside lining of a soldier’s battle tunic or jacket, although they can also be used to describe the colours found on upturned cuffs and lapels. Utilised by soldiers to help identify friend from foe during the midst of battle, these distinctively coloured fabric linings became increasingly popular with European armies during this time period due to the evolving nature of gunpowder-based warfare and mass infantry formations. It is speculated that the inclusion of these pea-green facings acted as a signifier to the regiment’s historical raising in Ireland.
Other common clothing features include the adoption of white cloth gaiters and cravats paired with buff leather waist belts and widened chest straps or cross-belts. Leather pouches of varying sizes could be attached to these belts to hold musket ammunition; particularly useful in times of inclement weather! Additionally, gold braided lace commonly adorned the exposed trimmings around the neck, shoulder, arm and chest areas, whilst black lace or silk ribbons were traditionally wrapped around white stockings and leggings to help keep them in place (normally just below the knee). Buckles were sometimes added to aid in this endeavour, but were not mandatory.
In terms of headwear, a tricorn hat made of beaver fur or black felt ornamented with white lace was common grenadiers had mitre-shaped has adorned with royal cypher/insignia often white colour. Records held at the DHC demonstrate that the cottage lace making industry was very active in Dorset in the eighteenth century.
Do join us for our next blog which will look at the developments of uniform in the 19th Century.