23 FEBRUARY 1929, Page 48

Answers to Questions on the British Army

1. The globe with a branch of laurel on either side and motto, " Per Mare, per Terram."-2. From " solidus," a Roman gold coin, or from the French " solde " (pay) literally, " hired men ' or mercenaries.-3. The " Buffs" (East Kent Regt.), old 3rd foot, said to be originally compt?sed of the old City Trained Bends:,----4. Both now obsolete ranks. Comet means standard bearer and was a junior officer in a cavalry regiment ; from the French eornette ' meaning both standard and standard bearer." " Ensign " also signifies standard bearer and was a junior officer who carried the colours in an infantry regiment, from the French " ensign."-5. Fusilier regiments had no company colours, hence no ensign officers.-6. From the German word Leib " (body), viz., the bodyguard of the Sovereign.-7. Pontius Pilate's bodyguard.-8. The Cameron Highlanders (old 79th foot).-9. The Flash is five black silk ribbons worn hung from back of collar by officers, warrant officers, and staff-sergeants in 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, originally worn to protect.the coat from the grease and flour of the pigtail or " queue." The pigtail was abolished in 1808 when this regiment was serving abroad, but allowed to retain the Flash permanently by special appeal.-10. 3rd Dragoon Guards, .10th Hussars, 12th Royal Lancers, (14th) West Yorks. Regt., (40th) South Lancashire Regt., 41iit Welsh Regt., (57th) Middlesex Regt.; 64th North Stafford Regt., also 32nd Cornwall Light Infantry.-11. A Bugle, suspended from strings.-12. From Bayonne, a town in the South of France • where they were first made for the'Frenoh Army. - Was originally a dagger with a wooden handle inserted into the muzzle of the rifle. —13. 11th Hussars (Cherry Pickers) and 12th Royal Lancers (Dungarvan Butchers).