Uniform

Serjeants Coats of Rifle Corps

The jacket for serjeants of Rifle Corps are to be of Dark Green without Lining, except the Sleeves, but the Inside of the Front are to be faced with Green Cloth. Rather Short Skirted and not Turned back, but cut to slope off behind. No Lappels and made to Button over the Body down to the waist. Standing Collar which with the Cuffs are to be of Black Cloth and feathered with White. Three Rows of Buttons on the Fronts of the Jackets and 12 in each Row; Two Rows on one Side and One Row and Holes on the other. The Buttons set on at equal Distances but the Rows 7 ½" Inches apart at the top and reduced gradually to 2 ½" at the Bottom. The Cuffs 2 ½" Inches in Breadth and pointed, opening at the hand with 4 Buttons. The Pockets pretty high on the Fronts of the Jackets and the Welts set on sloping. A Button on each Hip and the Back Skirts made to fold well over. The Buttons small throughout, being very much raised with Bugle Horn and Crown over it Engraved.

Serjeant Sashes

Those for the Rifle Corps to be Strips of Black, Crimson and Green Worsted. They are to be worn over the Coat round the waist and outside of the Shoulder Belt, with the Tie and Ends hanging on the Left Side.

Jackets for Corpls and Private Men of the Rifle Corps

The Jackets for Corpls and Private Men of the Rifle Corps are to be of Dark Green Cloth, inferior in quality to the Serjeants, but in Formation, Colour, of the collar, Cuffs and Shoulder Straps, and in the Buttons, etc, etc, exactly similar to the Serjeants.

Buglers Jackets for the Rifle Corps

The jacket for Bugles of the Rifles Corps are to be of Dark Green Cloth: in the Formation, Number of Buttons, and setting them on, etc, to be similar to the Rank and File, with Collar, Cuff, Shoulder-Straps and Wings of Black Cloth. The Seams throughout to be feathered with White, and a Black and White Worsted Fringe on each Wing.

Armourers Jacket for the Rifle Corps

The Jacket for the Armourers of the Rifle Corps to be of Dark Grey Cloth, and in the Formation, number of Buttons etc, and setting them on to be similar to the Rank and File. The Cuffs and Collar to be of Dark Green Cloth and the Seams throughout feathered in Green. However it is believed that the Armourers held the Rank of Serjeant and therefore their dress was that which corresponded to their rank in the regiment.

Extracts From The 1802 Infantry Clothing Regulations

As far as we know, no original ordinary ranks jacket has survived, and so all we have to rely on is the 1802 Army clothing regulation. These regulation are very vague giving only an overall description. Over the years we have tried to interpret them as best we can. One problem is that the regulations do not give details of the cut of the jacket {shape etc} and where about the pockets were placed. We have now obtained a military pattern of jacket which has now enabled us to improve the cut and style of our jackets. As regards the pockets which were used for holding a small powder flask for priming, the regulations state that they are "pretty high on the front of the jacket with the welts set on slopping". This does not say exactly where the pockets are to be placed, but looking at original images etc we think we have finally worked out that they sit with the opening by the outer row of buttons with the welt at the same angle as the row of buttons with the pocket going almost under the arm. 

Apart from the regimental uniform the soldiers where also issued with what was called an 'Undress Uniform'. This consisted of a plain white jacket with green collar and cuffs made of loosely woven wool cloth (flannel) and white overall trousers of hardwearing cotton (Russian duck), these could be worn by themselves or over the regimental pantaloons. The undress was worn as everyday wear and the regimental uniform kept for active service and parades. We are not sure what colour the waistcoats for the ordinary soldier were but we know that the Sergeant wore a green waistcoat with 12 buttons, rather short front and no pockets. The riflemen may have been issued the same but in a white cloth.

	Article 10 of the Regulations for the Rifles tries to instil in to the officers and men the importance of being smart, tidy and above all to have pride in themselves.  “A General attention to Dress and to an outward appearance of Cleanliness, and Comfort, is a part of the military system, which every Officer who commands a regiment, and knows how soldiers, or mankind indeed are composed, will ever think most worthy of being observed. With regard to Dress, as with almost every thing else, which embraces the well-being and good formation of a Corps…The object to be wished for in an Officer’s dressing uniformly, and with smartness is, first the inspiring the soldier with respect for the appearance as a man, and for his superiority over him as his Officer…In the soldier’s dressing well and with smartness, the principal object is first cleanliness, (and cleanliness is at all times health) and afterwards a certain degree of self-pride, which being well-dressed gives every soldier, and which self pride should be encouraged, for it will in the end make him a better man.” Taken from 'Regulations for the Rifle Corps' by Colonel Manningham
There is much speculation about whether the rifles used standard line infantry grey trousers when theirs fell apart on campaign, or just make do and mend? Wellington was believed to take a relaxed attitude to deterioration of the uniforms of the troops whilst on campaign. He once stated "I think it is indifferent how a soldier is clothed, providing it is in a uniform manner; and that he is forced to keep himself clean and smart, as a soldier ought to be." Grattan provides another view. "Provided we brought our men into the field well appointed, and with sixty round of good ammunition each, he never looked to see whether their trousers were black, blue or grey; and as to ourselves, we might be rigged out in all the colours of the rainbow if we fancied it." Another angle on this is that the soldier should have received a new issue of uniform once every year. Taking into account the troops that died, their clothes would have been taken and could have been used as temporary replacements until such time as the solider received that year’s new issue? So it is quite possible that the soldiers wore any colour trousers. A common source was locally made cloth such as Portuguese brown, which was a brown course woven cloth.

Wellington when he rode into Ciudad Rodrigo as the 95th marched out after the siege, was so confused by the different types of uniform worn that he had to ask the leading company commander which regiment it was!Then we come to the buttons on the rifles jackets, again none from the period remain it is believed that they did have some sort of design on them, what? Below are two quotes: one from Rifleman Harris and one from Rifleman/ Bugler William Green on the subject.

Extracts from 'The Recollection of Rifleman Harris' by Windrush Press

William Green states.

"One of our men an habitual drunkard, could not march, he was so full of red port. So our Colonel bid the Bugle-Major cut all the buttons off his jacket, that the French might not know what an honourable regiment he belonged to"

Great Coats or Watch Coats were issued to riflemen every three years. They were made of dark grey wool in a kersey weave, and were of a loose fit, to come up high on the neck and have a large falling cape to cover the shoulders, to reach down or below the calf of the leg. Unlike other regiments they are to be worn over all arms and accruements so as to keep them in good condition.