This illustration is taken from Regiments at a Glance by Lt-Col Frank Wilson (Blackie & Son 1958) showing lancer uniforms past and present. The whole illustration is reproduced here to provide a comparison of no.1 dress with a private of the 16th/5th Lancers, also with the lancer full dress as worn by the officer of the 12th Lancers.
The pattern of forage cap was special to each lancer regiment, for the 9th lancers it was blue with red cap band and welts, and embroidered cap badge. The blue tunic, based on the frock worn prior to WW1, had scarlet collar patches and steel chain-mail shoulder straps that bore the officer’s gilt metal rank badges. An unusual feature of this uniform is the white pouch-belt worn on the right shoulder. For a short period around this time, it was considered necessary to change the belt from the left shoulder so that medals could be displayed more visibly. The belt was of white plastic and has white metal pickers and chains. It was clearly unpopular because officers soon reverted to the former full dress gold-laced pouch-belts worn on the left shoulder.
His 1908 pattern sword is carried, slung from a waist-belt worn under the tunic. The private of the 16th/5th has a white leather waist-belt worn over the tunic. In the 1960s a white plastic belt was worn. The return to a smarter uniform to wear for ceremonial occasions was prompted by the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The 9th Lancers amalgamated with the 12th on 11 Sep 1960.
