Clothing and Equipment Documentation

for the

1st of Foot, the Royal Regiment

This painting of grenadiers was done by the Swiss painter David Morier who was commissioned by the Duke of Cumberland to paint an example of all British regiment's uniforms in 1751. It is the primary source we use to document what the 1st Regiment looked like just prior to the French & Indian War, coupled with uniform directives that were known to be issued during the war. The 1st Royals Grenadier at the far left of the painting stands in contrast to his comrades. (Click here for a larger picture of the 1st Royals Grenadier.)

Being in the "Royal" regiment, this grenadier is permitted to wear "Royal" blue facings (cuffs and lapels) and breeches, while his mates wear facings of various colors and uniform breeches of madder red that match their coats. Unlike his mates, the Royals Grenadier wore simple, plain 1/2 inch white lace on their coats and waistcoats. His blue breeches have a button front "French fly," and he wears tight fitting white gaiters with black horn buttons and black garters just below the knees. White gaiters were used for parade and guard occasions and would be replaced when in the field with either black or brown. All of his belts are yellow/buff leather and on his left shoulder he wears a brass match case to house a length of smoldering slow match used to ignite the grenade. The distinctive mitre cap worn by grenadiers also reflects the color of the regimental facings and is the symbol of elite troop status. Grenadiers were originally the largest and strongest men of the regiment, best capable to throw the hand grenade (from which they get their name) the farthest distance. The mitre cap both made him look larger and made it easier to sling the musket over his shoulders with out knocking off his hat, freeing up both hands to use the grenade. Though grenades fell out of regular use by the French & Indian War, the elite status of the grenadiers continued on and they were used as the shock troops of the army in the attack.