Just saw a teaser trailer for a Netflix series of what I assume is another remake of 'The Four Feathers' or a rerun of an existing one I don't recognise? A square under attack from 'farsands' of Ansar... their outlook not good. The troops were wearing red coats. Am I to assume therefore this is supposed to be set in the early 1880s or is this yet another movie gaff?
Neil
From what I ve looked up ? 1885 in the Sudan (Battle of Gennis)seems to be the last time Redcoats were seen in anger towards the East ? before the a proper shift to the Khaki coat ?
Unless anyone can correct me one that ? I am still learning about this period ?
"The Battle of Gennis in the Sudan on December 30, 1885 was the last time British soldiers wore red uniforms in action.
The British Army's red uniforms, also known as red coats, became the standard for most English and British forces after the New Model Army adopted Venetian red coats during the first English Civil War in 1645. The color was chosen because it was cheap, easy to obtain, and outlasted other colors.
The Battle of Gennis was fought when the British Army was part of an expeditionary force in the Nile Campaign of 1884–85. The British victory at Gennis ended the First Sudan Campaign and the first third of the Mahdist War. The battle was also the first time the British and Egyptian armies fought together, and the first time the new Egyptian Army successfully faced the Mahdists. "
Miles
The records do agree with you Miles, that Ginnis was the last red coated battle.
However, the usual poor British supply organisational ability in those days would mean many patrols would still be in red.
The Gordon relief expedition ran out of coal for their steamers due to Thomas Cook.
martin :)
Lucky they didn't use Ryanair! They'd have been landed in Senegal and still be waiting for a bus.
John
The Camel Corp and with them some RMLI all wore a light blue grey uniform.