Uniforms of British Regiments in Australia

Uniforms of British Units

	that served in the colonies that became Australia	Sub category index
	Tunic and Shako (hat) of the 73rd Regiment of Foot (RoF), The Royal Highlanders, the first infantry unit to serve in Australia after the demise of the NSW Corps (102nd).

( Right) Side pocket flaps are Dark Green edged with white . The rear facings are Dark Green with white edging . ( left ) Sleeve band formed part of the facings and shows the colour of the 73rd Regiment being Dark Green, with three pewter buttons. The collar was of the same colour but contained Red squaring which lined the edges of the collar. All the buttons on the uniform were made of pewter and carried the English crown. The regimental Lace which bound across the front of the coats was white with red stripes. The trousers of the 73rd were grey.

The Australian Army Infantry Corps adopted the scarlet sash worn by Warrant Officers Class 2 and senior NCOs from the British Army, which has been wearing it since the 17th century. Some were worn around the waist, whilst others were worn over the shoulder. The sashes were used as badges of rank. However, it is said that they also had a practical purpose, originally being used to drag the wounded from the battlefield. Legend also has it that because they became blood stained it was decided that they would be coloured scarlet so as to 'hide' the blood stains.

The British Regiments of Foot had officers wearing silken sashes over the left shoulder and senior NCOs wore worsted sashes over the right shoulder.
- Today in the Australian Army general officers and officers holding certain appointments wear sashes around their waist when dressed in Ceremonial Dress.
- Infantry Warrant Officers Class 2, senior NCOs and senior cadets at the Royal Military College Duntroon, wear the scarlet sash when on parade, in mess dress and when carrying out Regimental duties.

There are many tall stories told in messes about the scarlet sash and its cords (or tassels). Stories of the cords range from their representing British Army campaigns or Army line regiments to their use for counting casualties on the battle field. None of these are true and are often used to leg-pull the newly promoted sergeant.


	99th Wiltshire Regiment The First Detachment 99th Regiment of Foot came to Australia as a guard on the convict ship "North Briton" which was bringing convicts out to Tasmania in 1842. Second Detachment 99th Foot Regiment came to Australia as a guard on the convict ship "John Renwick" which was bringing convicts out to Tasmania in 1842.

Private, 99th Regiment of Foot, Wiltshire Regiment, from a drawing.

Image donor: Kevin & Sandra Wilson

Third Detachment 99th Foot Regiment came to Australia as a guard on the convict ship "Kandahar" which was bringing convicts out to Tasmania in 1842. After serving sometime in the Parramatta area and also Port Phillip, they were sent to New Zealand to engage the Maoris. 1842 saw the 99th Regiment leave Chatham for Tasmania and arrived in Sydney 1843. The 99th was a very unpopular Regiment with the 11th Regiment being bought to Sydney to control the 99th. 1848 The 99th was stationed in Hobart and left Australia in 1856. Stationed at Hobart, Sydney, Norfolk Island, Victoria, Moreton Bay.