The King's Own(Royal Lancaster) Colonel's Tunic

[Mervyn Mitton]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-18937400-1340812046.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

[Mervyn Mitton]

----------------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-24123100-1340812562.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE-------------------------------------------

This exceptional tunic is for the Colonel commanding the - 4th.(King's Own) Regiment of Foot.

The tunic belonged to Colonel John Rowlandson, he had fought in 1879 in the Anglo-Zulu War and was worn at Queen Victoria's Funeral in 1901. He became Colonel in 1897. The above details are from a book published in 1900 and therefore, all of theBattle Honours are not included for later periods.

The black crepe band on the left arm indicated the mourning band to show respect for the Queen - worn by officers' for a six month period.

They were a very distinguished Regiment and were formed in 1680 by the Earl of Plymouth. They were

numbered the '4th' to show their order of precedence when forming Line of Battle. After the Guards Regiments

the 1st Regiment on the right of the Line was the Royal West Surrey Regt. (The Queens). This was a great

honour.

Their Lion badge was presented to them by King William 3rd. and Queen Mary (Britain's only joint Monarchs)

when they became the first Regiment to offer allegiance on their landing at Torbay.

When Queen Anne died in 1714 the Regiment became part of a new Marine Corps. They had previously fought

and helped capture Gibralter in 1704.

They had a number of names in later years and in 1959 amalgamated with the Border Regiment and became the

'King's Own Royal Border Regiment'

[Mervyn Mitton]

------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-88957500-1340814382.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE----------------------------

This early badge for the Regiment shows the Lion of England. However, with William 3rd. being the Prince

of Orange , it has been thought that he originally meant to award the Dutch Lion rampant.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Reverse of tunic. He would have worn silver brocade cross and centre belts + a dress sword.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-58960400-1340814712.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

[Mervyn Mitton]

Left sleeve with embroidered decoration and the crepe mourning band. The gold work was usually

carried out by the Royal School of Needlework

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-78791700-1340814902.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

[Mervyn Mitton]

Close-up of sleeve detail

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-71254500-1340815176.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

[Mervyn Mitton]

One of the gilt officers' buttons

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-41748400-1340815313.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

[Mervyn Mitton]

One of rank epaulettes - showing a full colonel

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-29393300-1340815592.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

[Mervyn Mitton]

Gold lace around the collar

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-51199300-1340815752.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

[Mervyn Mitton]

Please feel free to add your comments and information on the tunic and the Regiment

[Chris Boonzaier]

That is indeed an eye catcher!!!

All you need now is the medal bar!!