pittpiper Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Dear board members, I am wondering whether anyone can help me clear up the issue of the 1880s uniform of the 24th Middlesex (Post Office) Rifle Volunteers. For a relatively well known unit, I have found it difficult to find definitive information on their uniforms. From what I have been able to gather, they were raised in the 1860s and originally wore grey uniforms. In 1884/1885 when a few of the men left for the Sudan as reservists in the RE, they wore RE uniforms, but this seems to pertain only to that handful of men that went out on that campaign. The army lists of the 1890s describe the Post Office Rifles as wearing green tunics with blue facings. What about in the 1880s? All of the artistic depictions of the Post Office Rifles show them wearing blue tunics (or frocks) with green facings and charcoal grey trousers. Those images showing them departing for, or in, Egypt also depict the men wearing black valise equipment. Is this accurate? I would appreciate any information or suggestions that might help me clear up this issue. Thank you, Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Sam - welcome to GMIC. You don't ask easy questions - do you ? I think your answer will be from one of our uniform specialists. I will also look into a few ref. books for you. Don't be put off if you don't get an immediate answer. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittpiper Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 Mervyn, Thank you. This is a hard question. I have been thinking about it for a while, so I thought I would throw it out there and see what people have to say. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Probably a bit with this, but try this link where a couple of nice photo's of the P.O.Rifles are shown.;- http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittpiper Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share Posted April 1, 2012 Graham, Thank you. Those are excellent and helpful photos. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now