Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry - Uniforms and Insignia

Uniforms and Insignia

During the 19th century the regiment, in common with other Yeomanry and Militia units, sported a range of uniforms. Jackets were always dark blue. Between 1812 and 1873 a leather shako was worn, replaced in 1873 by a fur Busby with a red cloth bag. Service dress during World War I was a khaki tunic and breeches, with a red stripe down the seam and a red lanyard worn by all ranks round the left armpit. The chevrons of sergeants and corporals were surmounted by a regimental badge on a red baize backing, a practice that continued through the inter-war years and beyond.

The regimental colours of green, red and yellow which appear on the regimental tie and Stable belt were decided on in the late 19th century. One officer (who was also a Conservative MP) suggested green with a red stripe but this was objected to because it was similar to the Rifle Brigade. Another officer (a Liberal MP) suggested adding yellow which was agreed. The joke was that red and yellow were Liberal colours, and the Liberal MP got away with this under his rival's nose.

The cap badge of the RWY is the Prince of Wales's feathers is a slightly different design to other regiments wearing the same symbol, such as the Royal Regiment of Wales. It is worn on the brown beret with a red baize and a black baize backing. During World War I men from the RWY carved their cap badge into the chalk hillside above the village of Fovant where it can still be seen today, alongside those of other units. The RWY capbadge is still worn by B(RWY)squadron, Royal Wessex Yeomanry.

The New Zealand 'fern leaf' emblem was painted on the regiment's vehicles when it was under the command of 2nd New Zealand Division, a tradition which continues to this day. The brigade sign, worn during the Italian campaign but not subsequently, was a white horse on a green square background.