NAM.1978-02-37-144

Colour Sergeant, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 1895 (c) - 1900, wearing full dress and standing in front of a cannon. Glass negative produced by W. Gregory & Co., London, and F. G. O. Stuart, 1895 (c). The colour sergeant is pictured wearing a scarlet single breasted tunic. The buttons of the tunic, grouped in threes, identify the regiment as the Scots Guards. The cuffs are round with a three buttoned slash. The collar, cuffs, and shoulder straps are piped white. On each side of his collar is the regimental badge (Order of the Thistle). The three chevrons on his upper right sleeve with crossed swords, regimental flag and crown, denote his rank as colour sergeant. On his lower right sleeve are the crossed muskets and crown insignia of a musketry instructor. He also has the Egypt Medal (1882) and the Khedive’s Star (1882-1891) on his left breast. His black bearskin cap has a metal chin chain, and he wears a crimson sash, white gloves and a white leather belt with pouch. The blue cloth trousers have a scarlet stripe down the outside seams, worn over black boots. He stands holding his rifle in front of a cannon. Colour Sergeants are senior non-commissioned officers. Historically, colour sergeants of British line regiments protected ensigns, the most junior officers who were responsible for carrying their battalions’ colours to rally troops in battles. As a result, reaching the rank of colour sergeant was a prestigious attainment, granted normally to those sergeants who had displayed courage on the battlefield. One of a collection of 280 glass negatives, associated with Gregory & Co., London, and F.G.O. Stuart, 1893 (c)-1900.