Sergeant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1898

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This is the infantry uniform of the Boer War, the famous British scarlet tunic having been finally abandoned for a new khaki uniform in 1897. The khaki uniform had first been "invented" more than thirty years previously when white uniforms were dyed with river mud in India to give a sand coloured appearance by the Corps of Guides, a famous Indian Army regiment. The universal adoption of the khaki uniform was a very important step forward and undoubtedly the precursor of modern camoflage.The white foreign service helmet was covered with a loose khaki cover. The equipment worn is the 1888 Slade & Wallace Valise equipment introduced into the British Army by Colonels Slade and Wallace in that year. The smaller valise was now worn high on the shoulders with the rolled greatcoat and messtin below. The valise was often removed and the canvas haversack slung in its place. The trusty Italian (sometimes incorrectly called the Oliver) waterbottle was being superceded by the round, felt covered metal waterbottle fitted with a screwtop like its predecessor.

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