UNIFORMS, ARMS & EQUIPMENT - ROYAL ENGINEERS
UNIFORMS, ARMS & EQUIPMENT - ROYAL ENGINEERS
UNDRESS CAPS, FROCK COATS, PATROL JACKETS & MESS DRESS
Officers of the Royal Engineers never wore the pillbox cap. From the 1850s they wore the infantry style forage cap with gold band. By 1881, the cap had become bell shaped, 3 inches high with band of regimental lace. There was a gold netted button on top and the drooping peak was edged with 1/2 inch gold lace.
The Frock coat was worn by staff officers and regimental field officers,
It was dark blue in the style worn by the general staff. It had a roll collar of blue velvet edged in black mohair lace. It was edged down the front in black lace as well as on the rear seams of the sleeves. The front had eight loops of mohair lace on the front with drooping ends. The sleeves were decorated with the same style of lace as the Full Dress tunic only in black lace.
The Scarlet Frock was worn by officers for regimental duties and active service, most often with the forage cap. The patrol jacket was similar to the Royal Artillery version with five loops of black mohair lace. again worn mostly with the forage cap.
The mess jacket was, like most of the RE garments, fairly plain. It was scarlet with gold edging all round with Garter blue collar and cuffs.rank was shown on the cuffs only.
The waistcoat was also scarlet with gold edging and pocket lace.
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Officers Active Service Dress