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Fortea Morgana :) PeteByrdie certificated Princess
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2014
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- An Eochair
I was told, in a very authoritative manner at primary school, late 1960s, that british soldiers wore red because they were so brave they fought on having been wounded and it meant the blood didn't show. I was reminded of this by our all too brief appreciation for the film Barry Lyndon recently.
At the time I dismissed this as utter bobbins on the grounds that my Uncle Tim (infantry in Lybia) wore green camouflage whenever I'd seen him in uniform. I do now accept that a visual inspection of my Uncle Tim wasn't a solid basis for extrapolation to all branches of the british armed forces throughout their history.
But I have heard the "red shows no blood" argument on several occasions. Is this widespread?
And, as red was worn, what dates? in what theatres? all services?
I did go to an Oxford May Ball on the arm of a military gentleman in his dress redcoat (red coat) and white breeches. It was a memorable evening for all the right reasons.
At the time I dismissed this as utter bobbins on the grounds that my Uncle Tim (infantry in Lybia) wore green camouflage whenever I'd seen him in uniform. I do now accept that a visual inspection of my Uncle Tim wasn't a solid basis for extrapolation to all branches of the british armed forces throughout their history.
But I have heard the "red shows no blood" argument on several occasions. Is this widespread?
And, as red was worn, what dates? in what theatres? all services?
I did go to an Oxford May Ball on the arm of a military gentleman in his dress redcoat (red coat) and white breeches. It was a memorable evening for all the right reasons.