Sergeant's crimson sash - with brass lions head

[Chris_Baker]

I have been sent this description "sash - dyed a deep red - about 100mm wide and on the upper left breast has a lion's head of brass about 50mm diameter. From a ring in the lion's mouth a double brass chain is attached to a brass whistle which is held in a brass scabbard attached to the sash to the lower right. The lower end of the sash is tied and forms a tassel". The man among whose property this was found is known to have served in the Gloucestershire Regiment.

Two questions

- does this sound like a standard sergeant's crimson sash?

- is the lion's head unique to the Gloucesters and what is its sigificance?

[Graham Stewart]

It's the "Inkerman Chain" of sgt's/wo's of the Durham Light Infantry originally worn in brass;-

The Inkerman Silver Whistle and Chain

10. The Inkerman silver whistle and chain is worn by all Warrant Officers Class II, Colour Sergeants and Sergeants.

11. In 1854 the 68th Light Infantry embarked for the Crimea. At the Battle of Inkerman, the 68th fought without their greatcoats in the bitter cold so that they could more easily get at their ammunition. They drove the Russian Yakutsk Regiment from the field with the bayonet. There were heavy officer casualties and in consequence non-commissioned officers of the Battalion played a very responsible part in command and control during the battle. Warrant Officers and Sergeants of the 1st Battalion The Durham Light Infantry continued to wear the whistle and chain as worn at Inkerman. This distinction was later extended to all Warrant Officers and Sergeants of The Durham Light Infantry and subsequently of The Light Infantry. The silver whistle and chain is not on ordnance issue. They may be bought from RHQ.

The attached taken from the Light Infantry website.

[Staffsyeoman]

And a link to an example (1990s) in wear - strangely enough in an Alix Baker illustration!

http://www.britisharmedforces.org/li_pages/images/li_csmbaker_300.jpg

[michaeldr]

Some examples seen on the photographs here

http://www.britisharmedforces.org/pages/nat_dli_tribute_90.htm

click on each image to enlarge

[Staffsyeoman]

By-the-by I looked at the PRI shop for the cost of one of these Inkermann sashes and nearly fainted; not much shy of £300 once you have acquired the sash, the boss, the chains and the whistle... and it's not issue!