Customer Reviews

British Army Uniforms in Color: As Illustrated by John McNeill, Ernest Ibbetson, Edgar A. Holloway, and Harry Payne ¥ c.1908-1919

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This is one of Schiffer's best uniform books, with the many full page plates speaking for themselves. A fine reference for the British Army, at the height of it's full dress glory, pre-1914. if you have any serious interest in the British Army and it's uniforms, you should own this book.

In August 1914, the British regular army handed its full dress uniforms into store and departed for France and four years of bloody warfare. This wonderful book depicts the colorful uniforms that were packed away in 1914. The illustrations by Harry Payne, Ernest Ibbetson, and John McNeill are especially good and, more importantly, accurate. Holloway's paintings have a tendency to have errors at times. For instance, on pages 103 and 114 he omits the gilt metal spine at the rear of the officer's home service helmet, and on page 98 has the bandsmen wearing the "crown and inch" lace of the drummers (bandsmen had plain white piping only on the rear seams of the tunic)and the officers with what appears to be an OR's (Other Ranks) cap. Fusilier officers had bearskin caps of Guards officer pattern. Overall, the various artists did a service for uniformologists by bringing the Review Order uniforms of the pre-1914 British Army back to life. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi!

The pictures depicted here are classic British pomp and glory types. These are magnificently drawn. Truly a feast for the eyes.