Guides Infantry

[alan_lockhart]

I am building up a wargames unit of Guides Infantry for the NW Frontier.

In the 1890s what was the strength of the Guides Infantry: were they a full infantry regiment of 8 companies? I presume they were only one battalion at that time: is that correct?

[Col Nadeem]

The Guides Infantry were 8 companies as under:
Two Sikh companies, one Dogra, one Gurkha, two Pathan, one Punjabi Musalman and one mixed.

[alan_lockhart]

Many thanks. Was there only one battalion in the 1890s?

[jonc@adelaide.on.net]

Only one battalion of infantry. For a romantic history of the Guides to 1908 there is a free download of Younghusbands The Story of the Guides at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16808 . Arguably the best selling unit history ever.
Jon

[acanthus]

Hi all,

Not adding to the discussion on composition however, I would be pleased to know if anyone can provide specific illustrated details or photo image of the Guides Infantry undress frock circa 1890 -1900, in particular showing the shoulder strap and collar details.

As I understand, the Guides Infantry and Cavalry wore the same tunic however the Cavalry wore shoulder chains whereas the Infantry had shoulder straps.

The actual cut of the tunic was the same as for British officers of the Bengal Cavalry, had two patch pockets on the breast, pointed cuffs of facing colour (red velvet), standing collar of facing colour and silver ball bottons (plain domed buttons).

From an original photo, it appears that the only difference between the cavalry and infantry tunics was the fact that the cavalry had shoulder chains; this then leads to another question. Did the Guides cavalry wear red velvet backing underneath the shoulder chains?

Then there is the colour? of the undress tunic; original photos of Guides officers show the full-dress and un-dress tunics to be different colours or shades of drab, whereas I believe regulations state that the undress tunic was the same colour as the uniform. Can anyone give me a specific detailed description or photo image of the Undress tunic? Any assistance will be much appreciated.

Gordon

[acanthus]

Maybe of further interest in relation to the Guides Infantry is some information publised in the Indian Army List for June 1892 which states that the total number of natives troops of all ranks was (Cavalry 469) for the Infantry 912 and further that there was 8 Companies with 8 Suadars - 8 Jemadars - 40 Havildars - 40 Naicks - 16 Buglers - 800 privates and 2 Hospital Assistants.This composition and strength was the same in the January 1900 list.

[tabony]

I assume you've seen these .

Martin

[alan_lockhart]

Many thanks.