BRITISH INFANTRY 1806-1812 The uniform coat for Line and Light infantry regiments was of red cloth, single breasted with small cuffs and turnbacks. The jacket bore regimental facings on collar cuffs and shoulder straps. Lacing was applied across the chest in white or yellow. The lacing could be square ended or ‘bastion’ ended. (See example on the Foot Artillery section). Each regiment contained two ‘flank companies’; one each of Light Infantry and Grenadiers. The members of these bore red wings with white lace and a white worsted fringe on each shoulder. The stovepipe shako was worn up to 1812 and for some time beyond that . Centre companies had a white over red plume, Grenadiers a white plume and Lights a green. All shakos bore a large brass regimental badge on the front. Officers wore long-tailed coats and large bicorne hats. The coats bore the regimental facing colours. Sashes were worn around the waist. Drummers also had wings and in theory were supposed to wear ‘reversed’ colours, resulting in coats of the regimental facing colour faced with red. In practice this made them very conspicuous targets and the practice was not universal. The coat sleeves bore lace bands or chevrons Equipment belts were white. The cartridge box was of black leather. The rucksack was brown cowhide with a grey greatcoat strapped to the top.
There were two units of rifle-armed soldiers serving in the British Army. The 95th Regiment and the 5th Battalion of the 60thRegiment both wore 'rifle-green' jackets. All leather equipment was black.
Facing Colours These were as follows: BLUE
BUFF
GOSLING GREEN
YELLOW
GREEN
WHITE
BLACK
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