NationStates Jolt Archive

For years now, I have had this itch to scratch-the fact that from 1914, the British army has not worn Red Coats.
Don't get me wrong-wearing red in combat would be foolish at best, but the current full dress/parade uniform for our armed forces is this... blue... thing... which has no root in our history, and, frankly, does not look British. :headbang:
We still have Redcoats (the foot guards regiment for one) but they are only about five regiments, and I think that we are simply scrubbing out our history (the good and bad bits) by ignoring our heritage. :mad:
all I ask is that someone answer me! any Ex-/Soldier's opinions would be particularly valued.
That's just my two... pence, I suppose.

Should we also bring back armoured knights?

Anyway, it isn't as if the the army has always had red coats.

No one can say they don't look dashing but change doesn't mean erasing history.

why stop there? i think we should have the People's Red Army of Britain, but thats just me ;) ;) (j/k)

For years now, I have had this itch to scratch-the fact that from 1914, the British army has not worn Red Coats.
Don't get me wrong-wearing red in combat would be foolish at best, but the current full dress/parade uniform for our armed forces is this... blue... thing... which has no root in our history, and, frankly, does not look British. :headbang:
We still have Redcoats (the foot guards regiment for one) but they are only about five regiments, and I think that we are simply scrubbing out our history (the good and bad bits) by ignoring our heritage. :mad:
all I ask is that someone answer me! any Ex-/Soldier's opinions would be particularly valued.
That's just my two... pence, I suppose.

I like the blue dress uniform. Though I agree that red would be nice too. I'm glad you didn't suggest it replace the standard army uniform, though, as I've heard some people suggest in the past.

I think to do it right, your troops oughtta paint each other blue and fight in the buff. Besides, it'd totally intimidate your opponents.

I agree with Retalicus.
The Red coats, they have a history behind them.
The blue coats...sure, theyre ok but its not the same.
I mean, the Red coats, they feel...well...British.
But ofcourse, you cant use them in combat, camoflauge would be straight out the window.

A procession of British military history:

Woad Nude dudes, Saxon wall, followed by knights, followed by red coats, then blue coats. Everybody's happy. :p

I think we have been erasing our history-have you noticed that until recently the subject of "Empire" has been carefully avoided by politicians and media alike.
thanks outpost command. the fact is that Red coats hark back to times when Britain was the richest and most powerful country on earth. Knights cannot compete.
admittedly, though we are now entering an age of Chinese supremacy, we should remember the good times. and, y'know, I'd just love to see Redcoats on parade once more. ;)

admittedly, though we are now entering an age of Chinese supremacy, we should remember the good times. and, y'know, I'd just love to see Redcoats on parade once more. ;)
LOL!
...but, no Red Gaurd in London, thanks.
Just the Red Coats.

Dude, we aren't communists... and we will stay British as long as we break from the USA ASAP.:mp5:

Dude, we aren't communists... and we will stay British as long as we break from the USA ASAP.:mp5:
The whole China thing threw me off! I didn't mean to imply you were communist at all!

Anybody got a date for the introduction of the redcoats? I'm thinking that they were only widely in use for about 170 years or so.

What? The British army dress uniforms don't have red coats anymore? That's lame.

The British army wearing blue coats to me is like if the US army changed its dress uniforms (that it unfortunately hardly ever wears nowadays) from blue to red.

The British army really should wear red. It's so much more, well, British.

actually Red coats were standardised for British armed forces as a whole from about 1645-so we're talking more along the lines of 270 years, but British regiments wore red coats as early as Elizibeeta times, so there you go.
no, only the Grenadier guards, Coldstream guards, Scots guards, Irish guards, and Welsh guards still wear red on parade. That's not nearly enough! :headbang:

Life guards do too. There are others as well.

Oart of the problem is that it makes no sense for newer units. You wouldn't expect the paras to wear red - green uniform with beret makes more sense given their history.

Why would the paras and other things like tank regiments need a different style of unform? I reckon that variations on old cavalry and artillery uniforms would really look great on parade.

GBR should just disband their military. That would solve all the problems ;)

GBR should just disband their military. That would solve all the problems ;)

And do away with 500 years of tradition and cool uniforms?

Should we also bring back armoured knights?

Anyway, it isn't as if the the army has always had red coats.

yes :D

As mentioned part of the problem relates to the "new" units.

In todays british army msot of the regular infantry are descended from the "rifle" or light forces of the penisular war who wore green. Also neither Cavalry or artillery units grenerally wore red throught the typical redcoat period, the red coat was purely the territory of guards, line and fusalier regiments

For years now, I have had this itch to scratch-the fact that from 1914, the British army has not worn Red Coats.
Don't get me wrong-wearing red in combat would be foolish at best, but the current full dress/parade uniform for our armed forces is this... blue... thing... which has no root in our history, and, frankly, does not look British. :headbang:
We still have Redcoats (the foot guards regiment for one) but they are only about five regiments, and I think that we are simply scrubbing out our history (the good and bad bits) by ignoring our heritage. :mad:
all I ask is that someone answer me! any Ex-/Soldier's opinions would be particularly valued.
That's just my two... pence, I suppose.
Ok I could understand the complaint if they just changed it but the fact that this change happened almost a hundred years ago

Blue coats might not have as much history but with that age mate they ARE part of your history

Just be glad they aren't pink pantaloons with white and pastel blue feather headdresses and silver tassels for the male nipples.

when has tradition ever meant anything for the British army, look at the Scots Regiments

Why would the paras and other things like tank regiments need a different style of unform? I reckon that variations on old cavalry and artillery uniforms would really look great on parade.

Yes, you might. I am sure however that they wouldn't. The whole point of the regimental system is that each unit has its own history and identity. The dress uniform represents that. The paras have never worn dress blues or red coats. They are a unique WWII regiment, not part of the new armies, and so have always worn green.

I suppose you think the Black Watch should wear red coats too, and the royal marines?

Anyway, if everyone started to wear red coats like the household division, what would happen to the squaddies?

when has tradition ever meant anything for the Labour Party look at the Scots Regiments

Fix't.

Fix't.


if the British MOD didnt approve Labour couldnt possibly push it through :sniper:

Bring them back, immediatly, and have them led by officers with moustaches.

if the British MOD didnt approve Labour couldnt possibly push it through :sniper:

Eh? It's part of the late ninetees defense review. Same thing that cost us the strike part of the fleet air arm, and the surface to air missile flights in the RAF regiment. It was supervised by the labour party, and reflects their policy. The actually backpedalled on some of the scots regiments after outcry in scotland, a core constituency.

It has nothing to do with HM Forces, who are very proud of their traditions.

Eh? It's part of the late ninetees defense review. Same thing that cost us the strike part of the fleet air arm, and the surface to air missile flights in the RAF regiment. It was supervised by the labour party, and reflects their policy. The actually backpedalled on some of the scots regiments after outcry in scotland, a core constituency.

It has nothing to do with HM Forces, who are very proud of their traditions.

We have so much to thank Labour for, left wing bastards.:mad:

We have so much to thank Labour for, left wing bastards.:mad:


labour are inner right now, no longer standing for what the party was formed for

labour are inner right now, no longer standing for what the party was formed for

they are still more left wing than the Tory party, with no resepct for tradition, British culture and history.

I am aware that most modern British regiments are descended from the Light/Rifle companies of yesteryear, and that the RA and cavalry did not wear red, but the fact remains that No. 1 "blues" is a poor substitute for the old full dress.
Blue coats might not have as much history but with that age mate they ARE part of your history
as for that, if recent history is all that matters to you, you better get used to honest presidents and your generals getting kicked by Native Americans where you come from.;)

they are still more left wing than the Tory partywith no resepct for tradition, British culture and history.


thankfully

they are still more left wing than the Tory party, with no resepct for tradition, British culture and history.

You mean because they don't look back at the Victorian age as some sort of great period, when the sub human poor knew their place and the rich could stay rich no matter how stupid and lazy they were, like you've said you do?

Anyway, did we loose the green jackets along with the red coats? Sharpe would be most unimpressed if we have :(

Lacadaemon wrote:Yes, you might. I am sure however that they wouldn't. The whole point of the regimental system is that each unit has its own history and identity. The dress uniform represents that. The paras have never worn dress blues or red coats. They are a unique WWII regiment, not part of the new armies, and so have always worn green.

I suppose you think the Black Watch should wear red coats too, and the royal marines?
you have a strong argument-the Paras are a case in point, so mabye they should stick to green. have to put you straight on one thing though: since their formation the Royal Marines (and, in fact, the black watch) have worn Red Coats it was only WW1 that changed all that.
also FYI we aren't in the 16th century anymore-all regiments have a uniform-even a dress uniform, as well as customs and their own individual twists (e.g. facings)
Laenis wrote:
You mean because they don't look back at the Victorian age as some sort of great period, when the sub human poor knew their place and the rich could stay rich no matter how stupid and lazy they were, like you've said you do?

Anyway, did we loose the green jackets along with the red coats? Sharpe would be most unimpressed if we have
well that's an extreme view. The Victorian age may not have been perfect but the changes we wrought overseas and the outcomes thereof have often been very positive. if you believe that it was all bad you can go back to your cave and learn to make fire, mate.

The Victorian age may not have been perfect but the changes we wrought overseas and the outcomes thereof have often been very positive. if you believe that it was all bad you can go back to your cave and learn to make fire, mate.

The victorians invented fire and houses? You learn something new every day! :rolleyes:

Victorian Britain was probably the worst period, excluding 1348-1352, to have lived unless you were wealthy. Would you enjoy 12 hour shifts in a factory, living with a large family in a two roomed slum and very likely dying at a young age from disease or starvation?

I liked the Red uniforms. Looked on spiffy with their hats. Though in the movie "The Patriot" with Mel the cavalry leader in green. Mmmm damn was he hot.