Royal Welch Fusiliers (RWF) Black Tails (Queue Ribbons) Cloth Flash Regimental Distinction

Five black silk ribbon tails sewn together in a fan. front clean, reverse with glue marks and traces of mildew, but does not have an ordure. A large item at circa 19cms tall and 15.5cms wide. Some service wear.

Worn at the back of the collar, originally this had been a bow of broad ribbon worn with the greased pigtail to protect the uniform jacket, known as 'Queue Ribbons'. They went out of use officially in 1808. Unofficially re-introduced by Officers in 1834, worn by officers and SNCOs but in January 1927 the Army Council, at the request of George V, approved the wearing of the Flash by other ranks, both Regular and Territorial “on ceremonial parades and when walking out”.

Jon Mills states it continued to be worn on battledress. During WW2, the 6th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, raised from the RWF, were also permitted to wear the 'Flash'.

BoBD (Jon Mills) p30 and Fig 140 / Badge backings & Special Embellishments of the British Army, p112 refer.

Comm DaSm

Code: 69464