Milsurp After Hours

Doug,

Interesting photo, but a little large so I've adjusted it. The story does have a familiar ring to it, although another forum perhaps ?

All I can add to the photograph is that, if the troops are British, then, from the lack of facial hair, the picture is 1916 or later* and, from what looks to be leather equipment, I'd guess it's a New Army battalion.

Tom

* Until 1916, regulations forbade shaving the upper lip.

Tom,

that's very interesting. I wasn't aware of that particular regulation. In the photo I mentioned most are clean shaven.

Any idea when in 1916 it was changed ?

Tom:

You must be kidding. Aren't you? Why would the British Army want its soldiers to have mustaches?

Until 1916, regulations forbade shaving the upper lip.

Niner posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 2:36 pm

"...You must be kidding. Aren't you? Why would the British Army want its soldiers to have mustaches? ..."

It was thought to give a more uniform and martial appearance (it goes way back) - it was also of use when dealing with some of the natives encountered during Imperial excursions (Seriously!*)

from

KING'S REGUATIONS 1912

Para 1696.....The hair of the head will be kept short. The chin and under lip will be shaved, but not the upper lip. Whiskers, if worn, will be of moderate length.

Woftam,

I'm not sure when the regulation was withdrawn, but I believe that it was fairly early in 1916 (it may have been as early as late 1915, but I seem to recall reading it as 1916).

I'm not sure why it was dropped, but I believe it was something to do either with recruiting or the constitution of the 'K' battalions.

I've just checked Brophey and Partridge (The Long Trail) - Eric Partridge states "...From October, 1916, the other ranks could grow a moustache or not as they pleased..."

Any use?

Tom

* It appears that in some cultures# a moustacheod man receives more respect than one who is clean shaven

# Such as among many of the Egyptians.

29 Aug. 2006

4:30pm

Great detective work about the shaving thing.

Woftam, yes, I think this photo was first posted on one of the other gun forums last year, but I can't remember which or when exactly.

Coggansfield

But... the military is like that in every country I guess... odd notions.