Why the English Army wear Red Coats

[Lonnie]

We don't have a military section, and as this could be said to be somewhat historical, have a chuckle before it gets moved.
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A long time ago, Britain and France were at war. During one battle, the French captured an English colonel. They took him to their headquarters, and the French general began to question him. Finally, as an afterthought, the French general asked, "Why do you English officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"

In his bland English way, the officer informed the general that the reason English officers wear red coats is if they are shot the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.

And that is why, from that day to this, all French Army officers wear brown pants!!!

Cheers,

[kempie]

The British Army wore red coats so as not to show their blood.

The Royal Navy claim they wore blue for the same reason.

[B00]

I liked the joke, and learnt something new into the bargain!

I didn't know that's why they wore red coats, well to be honest, not really put much thought into it before now, but still......

Cheers!

[dot.hawkes]

I know that I knew about the red blood many many many years ago, maybe 41 actually,(before my 11 plus) but never heard the french one,

[Lonnie]

haven't got a clue if there's even a smidgen of truth in that story, but it gave me a smile, so I thought i'd share it.

Thanks for replying.

[davkel]

i like that, funny

[Brewmaster]

The real reason is that during the English Civil War regiments wore different coloured coats. For instance, on the Parliamentary side there were John Hampden's Greencoats, Lord Brooke's Purplecoats, etc. When the New Model Army was formed the colour red was adopted, and this was the colour of Colonel George Monck's regiment who marched down from Coldstream to restore Charles II.

They became the Coldstream Guards, and their coat colour that of Army regiments for the next 150 years or so.

[Lonnie]

Interesting Brewmaster,
We live and learn, one of the reasons I like this site,

And if you really are a newbie, a warm welcome to the madhouse.

[Brewmaster]

Yes I am. Thank you.