RUR Kit list

These Dress Regulations correspond with the British Army and Queen’s Regulations for the period 1980–89.

Unless otherwise indicated*, the Royal Union Rifles will present a 1983/4 BAOR light infantryman and, as this is living history, we are very strict on how we present ourselves. No apologies if this sounds draconian but we get praise from everyone for the level of accuracy and uniformity in our appearance and we aim to keep this up. For living history events the emphasis is on uniformity – not being ‘ally’.

* For some specific living history events the Royal Union Rifles may be in barrack dress, mess dress or portraying the Rifles in Northern Ireland. A WARNING ORDER will be issued informing membership of kit requirements for each event.

No amendment to, or variation from, these Regulations may be made without consultation with the Group Committee.

No. 8 DRESS

(TEMPERATE COMBAT UNIFORM – COLD/WET)

Soft Head Gear

Ideal: Rifle Green beret with RUR cap badge

All members are to wear a Rifle Green beret. The front of the beret is worn 1 inch above the eyebrows, the badge being positioned over the left eye. The crown of the beret is pulled over the right side of the head

RUR cap badge can be purchased from Neil @ £5 each. Email: royalunionrifles@yahoo.com

Acceptable: Rifle Green beret with 1980s supporting arm cap badge (e.g. RCT, RE, RAOC etc.) Attached personnel will retain and wear cap badge and stable belt (e.g. REME) of their original regiment or corps but wear the Rifles beret.

Helmet

MKIV or MKV steel helmet scrimmed up. Definitely NO PARA lids.

Scarf/neck cover

OG or two-tone face veil/scrim net

Shirts

Ideal: Shirt GS, Shirt KS in itchy wool (‘Hairy Mary’)

Acceptable: OG T shirt, RUR T shirt

Jumpers

Olive green British Army 'wooly pully'

Combat jacket/Smock

Ideal: 68 Pattern combat smock.

Acceptable: Windproof smocks (RM or SAS type), DPM Parka

Trousers

Ideal: 68 pattern DPM combats.

Acceptable: OG Light weights, Windproof DPM trousers

Gloves

NI Gloves, OG wool gloves

Boots

Ideal: DMS boots with puttees.

Note: Puttees to be tied off (‘boxed off’) on the outside of the ankle.

Acceptable: Boots Combat High (BCH), Northern Ireland Patrol Boots, 80s German para boots

Weapons

L1A1 SLR (left). If you are a driver or wearing a support arm cap badge, you may use a Sterling L2A1 SMG (right).

Webbing

Ideal: 58 Pattern (belt, yoke, 2 x ammo pouches, 2 x kidney pouches, water bottle pouch, Resi bag and poncho roll (with poncho) minimum).

Resi Bag to be worn on the belt, on the LEFT side.

Acceptable: Period US or West German pouches to replace kidney pouches and/or water bottle pouch, 44 pattern to do same.

NBC

NBC kit and S6 Respirator (not S10)

Extras

Extra poncho roll

Entrenching tool

Large pack (for 58 webbing) or GS/SAS bergan

58 sleeping bag

'crap hat' patrol cap

Mess tins

Water bottle and canteen

Notes

Unless otherwise notified the RUR default dress for any event will be as above (BAOR). However, some events may require alternative dress i.e. Hack Green – Barrack dress (Wooly Pulley and lightweights) or Brooklands Motor Museum – Northern Ireland (DPM smock, lightweights, M69 flack jacket) and for some arena demonstrations we will be wearing full NBC kit.
The RUR has a lot of kit that can be loaned out for events ranging from cap badges to webbing and sleeping bags. Any member wishing to borrow kit should contact the Group Secretary. Please give plenty of notice so that loan arrangements can be made.

Badges

The wearing of badges of rank, TAC signs etc. is expressly forbidden within the RUR.

The two exceptions are:

Group Committee members will wear NCO stripes. This is to identify them to group members and event officials.
Members who have previously held a commissioned or non-commissioned rank within the British forces may continue to do so.

The group will not have any commissioned ranks (unless 2. above applies or specifically requested for a particular event e.g. filming).

The wearing of bravery/campaign/long service awards to which the member is not entitled is forbidden. The wearing of para wings to which the member is not entitled is forbidden.

Members are not allowed to wear uniforms and/or awards earnt by family members. If you want to wear your late grandad's uniform when he served as a RSM in the 71st Heavy Underwater Artillery, then this group is not for you.

Shoulder titles are not worn.

Any concerns or questions should be addressed to the Group Secretary.