Foot Guards Officers' cuff and skirt lace

[Glenn J]

I noticed something recently, I had not done so before; the difference in lace on the the cuff and skirt "slashes" of Foot Guards officers' tunics. I was looking for a clear image of the cuffs as those in the 1911 dress regulations are not overly clear. I then noticed that the pattern of lace on modern tunics is very different indeed to that originally worn. Basically, the new pattern is the same for all five regiments apart from button spacing. It seems that the new pattern lace was introduced in the eighties or possibly early nineties at the latest. Some images I have of the 1982 Queen's Birthday Parade still show the old pattern in wear. An article in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research (Volume 74 of 1996), states:

 

"Recent changes in the Household Division, the last units in which full dress is authorized as a regular order of dress, have resulted in the adoption of a universal pattern of gold lace, made of mylar, for the officers' tunics of all five regiments of the Foot Guards"

 

The question is: when was the new lace actually introduced and by which authority? Thanks.

 

Regards

Glenn

 

Old pattern (rather faded)

 

 

New Pattern

 

 

 

[Farkas]

17 hours ago, Glenn J said:

I noticed something recently, I had not done so before; the difference in lace on the the cuff and skirt "slashes" of Foot Guards officers' tunics. I was looking for a clear image of the cuffs as those in the 1911 dress regulations are not overly clear. I then noticed that the pattern of lace on modern tunics is very different indeed to that originally worn. Basically, the new pattern is the same for all five regiments apart from button spacing. It seems that the new pattern lace was introduced in the eighties or possibly early nineties at the latest. Some images I have of the 1982 Queen's Birthday Parade still show the old pattern in wear. An article in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research (Volume 74 of 1996), states:

 

"Recent changes in the Household Division, the last units in which full dress is authorized as a regular order of dress, have resulted in the adoption of a universal pattern of gold lace, made of mylar, for the officers' tunics of all five regiments of the Foot Guards"

 

The question is: when was the new lace actually introduced and by which authority? Thanks.

 

Regards

Glenn

 

Old pattern (rather faded)

 

 

New Pattern

 

 

 

 

I dont have an officers tunic but i have this Warrant Officers one, Welsh guards bandsman.

This is from the 90’s I’d guess...

 

 

 

 

tony 🍻

 

[Glenn J]

Thank you for your response. A fine example of what was once termed a "First Class Tunic". The distinctive double cuff ring and heavily embroidered collar now the sole domain of the the ranks of WO1 and WO2 was prior to 1915 (introduction of the rank of WO2) also worn by senior "Staff Sergeants" such as the Quartermaster Sergeants, Drill Sergeants and Sergeant instructor in  Musketry. The pattern, apart from the more modern lace seems not to have changed in the intervening years.

 

Here is an example from the Coldstream Guards (also from the nineties) worn by by my good self 🙂

 

Regards

Glenn

 

[Christian1962]

Dear Glenn,

 

I tried to contact you via the contact sheet here, but my message was denied. I hope you still have my email and would contact me there. My yahoo.de and my office account are still in use.

 

Kindest regards

Christian

[Farkas]

On 15/09/2023 at 07:14, Glenn J said:

Here is an example from the Coldstream Guards (also from the nineties) worn by by my good self 🙂

💪💪🍻🍻

 

 

I know it still doesn’t answer your original question but i hope you might enjoy seeing these other examples i have... you never know, you may even recognise the names!

 

SGT Welsh Guards 

 

 

 

& In Silver.

SGT Honourable Artillery Company

 

 

 

Cheers

tony 🍻

[Glenn J]

Interesting, I remember going to Bernie Kashket‘s in the East End of London to be measured up a couple of times. 😀

 

Regards

Glenn

[Farkas]

I’ve got a dozen Guards tunics, i’m only missing a Coldstream one...but i do have 2 Battledress to compensate, this is one of them...

 

 

 

It belonged to Brigadier Robert Charles Windsor-Clive, served with 2CG in ww2 and later C.O. of 3CG circa 1960, he is probably a bit before your time but may be familiar.

 

By the way, i’ve just seen that

https://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk

is yours... it’s a great piece of work, thanks for making it 👍👍

 

Best wishes,

tony 🍻

 

PS. You may have noticed i don’t need much of an excuse to post pics of my stuff... 😊

[Graf]

5 hours ago, Farkas said:

💪💪🍻🍻

 

 

I know it still doesn’t answer your original question but i hope you might enjoy seeing these other examples i have... you never know, you may even recognise the names!

 

SGT Welsh Guards 

 

 

 

& In Silver.

SGT Honourable Artillery Company

 

 

 

Cheers

tony 🍻

Nice one