Unit Colours: detail of Colours carried in the Crimean War

[Mardasson]

Hi All,
I'm looking for visual descriptions of the Colours (both Royal and Regimental) that were borne by the British regiments in the Crimean War.
Can anyone point me to a source for that ?
Thanks,
Michel

[mike snook]

Michel

There is an Osprey book about British infantry colours which would embrace the Crimean period (as well as other periods). There is a guidons one as well for the cavalry. A visit to the Osprey website should turn them up.

Regards

Mike

[Isandlwana]

Michel,

You could try Ian Sumner's book, published by Osprey, British Colours and Standards 1747-1881: Infantry & Auxiliaries as a starting point.

John

(Mike we were obviously posting at the same time there!)

[Mardasson]

Mike, John,
Thanks for the posts.
Actually this is a book I already have and it contains few drawings of Colours. It also contains written description of badges, battle honours.....
I also have a book, focused on Crimea only, with detailled descriptions of both Royal and Regimental Colours for each regiment (Crimean Uniforms - British Infantry by Michael Barthop: a lot of very detailled information in this book !!).
However, I find it very difficult to draw an Colour based on written description...identify corrrect badge from description, where to place the various battle honours.... That's why I'd like to find drawings of the colours.
Thanks,
Michel

[Isandlwana]

Michel,

Have you tried contacting the regimental museums of the units you're after?

The Guards Museum have a like-size representation of R.J. Loyd-Lindsay V.C. at the Alma.

Also try Dino Lemonofides' British Infantry Colours published in 1971, but available on Abesbooks etc.

Regards,

John

[Mardasson]

Thanks John.

The Scots Guard Fusiler Royal Colour held by Lt. robert Lindsay is one that is in the Osprey book.
I think I will use pieces of information for this book to draw the other Colours and post them here so I can get feedback on them.

REgards,

Michel

[Mardasson]

Hello,
Here are the 'reconstructed' Colours of the Coldstream Guards.
I used the description found in 'Crimean Uniforms - British Infantry by Michael Barthop - 1974' quoted below and the illustrations found in Osprey elite 81 'British Colours and Standards 1747-1881 (2)' by Ian Summer.
I would appreciate your feedback to improve these graphical representations (ie location of the battle honours....)

I will work on the Grenadier Guards and Scots Fusiliers Guards' Colours and will post thme too.

Thanks,
Michel

Royal Colours

In centre, Imperial Crown over Star of Order of the Garter

Regimental Colours

Under Imperial Crown, badge of the 13th company; ‘a Rose gules, surmounted by another argent, barbed and seeded proper, empaled with a pomegranate, or, stalked also proper’ ; roman XIII in gold in dexter canton

[Mardasson]

Here are the Scots Fusiliers Guards Colours (Grenadier Guards will follow).
Thanks for your comments.
Michel

Royal Colour
Easiest as it comes directly from the Osprey book.

In the centre, royal Arms of Scotland, or, Lion rampant within double tressure, flory, conter flory gules, upon ordinary heraldic shield, with Imperial Crown above and motto EN FERUS HOSTIS below

Regimental Colour

Under Imperial Crown, badge of 1st, or Right Flank, Company, ‘on an escutcheon argent, the Royal Crest of Scotland, viz : ‘on an Imperial Crown proper a lion sejant guardant gules, armed and langued azure corwned and holding in the dexter paw a naked sword proper, pommel and hilt or, and in the sinister the royal Sceptre of the last both erect in pale’, all above motto IN DEFENSIO

[Mardasson]

And the Grenadier Guards....

Royal Colour

In centre, Imperial Crown over royal Cipher, reversed and interlaced, with grenade below; in dexter canton, small Union, with pile wavy issuing toward centre

Regimental Colour

Under Imperial Crown, Badge of 3rd Company, a fleur-de-lys, the royal Badge of King Henry V; below badge, grenade; roman III in Gold in dexter canton