COLLARS IN THE ARMY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7765, 24 July 1903, Page 2

COLLARS IN THE ARMY.

OFFICERS ALLOWED TO SHOW ONE-EIGHTH OF AN INCH.

The War Office has been evidently much perturbed Jately as to officers and their collars.

Recently Lieutenant-General Lord Grenfell issued an order to the 4th Army Corps pointing out. that the practice of officers having linen collars fitted to their frockcoats was forbidden, except for officers of the 7th Hussars and the Oxfordshire Light Infantry) who alone Were allowed this privilege. . . The next day a "Colonel" wrote tothe " Daily Mail " "asking why these regiments were so favoured. He pointed out tha,t when he .entered the service forty-seven years ago the wearing of a linen collar with uniform was not prohibited, and that the naval and military heroes of old wore such collars, as mught be seen from portraits in the United Service Club. The Duke of Cambridge, he added, was responsible for forbidding the practice. " The right thing now," he concluded, "would be to order a regulation linen collar to be .worn with* uniform in peace time."

This is exactly what the authorities have now done. A new general "Vyar Office Order decrees that, the privilege ,of wearing lineji collars shall no longer be exclusively retained by one regiment of infantry and one of cavalry as hitherto. Collars are to be worn by all officers with the service dress, but only " as a tentative measure." And here is the vital point which has doubtless led to much deep thought and carefuL consideration and calculation— "not more than one-eighth of an inch of 'collar is to show atjove the collar of the Jacket." •■■--: