19 DECEMBER 1952, Page 20

Redcoats

Sta,—In your issue of December 12th it is stated that, in the House of Lords recently, General Lord Jeffreys preferred a plea for the restoration of a red tunic to certain regiments. Lord Onslow objected on the ground of cost. If my memory is correct, in about 1897/8 regiments of Dragoons and Dragoon Guards were issued with red serge tunics in addition to those of red cloth. The former were worn on parades and during summer manoeuvres, the latter for ceremonial purposes.

Would a red serge tunic with No. 1 dress, instead of the blue, meet with Lord Jeffreys' approval ? If so, could Lord Onslow give his welcome plea sympathetic reconsideration ?—Yours faithfully,