Genealogy Chat

Hi, a Colour Sergeant is the rank between Sergeant and Sergeant Major. They are only found in Infantry Regiments, (foot soldiers!) elsewhere in the Army they are Staff sergeants.

Indeed. One of the greatest feats a soldier could do was to capture the enemy colours. Or in the Bristish sense A French Golden Eagle (Their version of a colour).

To give your self a taste of life in the army and some idea of what a colour sargent did try reading Sharpes Eagel Or Shapse Waterloo. if you are not in to fiction (based on real events) Then try one of the meny books on the Battle of Watterloo. A little early for your relles but Army life did not improve to much befor the end of the 1800s

HELLO EVERYBODY i dont know what a colour sargent is but my dad was one in the royal marines

Hi Jane, A Colour Sergeant nowadays is simply a rank between Sergeant and Warrant Officer Class 2. This rank is peculiar to regiments who have regimental colours showing their battle honours. A regiment would certainly have a number of soldiers holding this rank. Cheers

Jane, thanks, I've emailed you.

The Ensigns (a very junior officer below a 2nd Lieutenant) used to hold the Kings/Queens colours, and the Regimental colours. They in turn used to be guarded by Sergeants. They were the Colour Sergeants.

Helen, You might be able to get more about your man through the Public Record Office. I'm not sure how they documented the Marine Artillery, but for the Royal Artillery, they have Muster Books (essentially a roll call listing of names) and so forth. For soldiers, as you probably know, they might have a set of records kept for pension purposes (ie if your man literally gave his all for King/Queen & Country, they won't have records). Whilst they do have naval and air force stuff too, I've never been able to work the system very well ... Regs Jane

You might have just answered my question as I have found a Staff Sergeant in the Royal Marine Artillery. PS does anyone know if these soldiers were included anywhere on the 1851/1861/1871 if they were abroad as my man vanishes occasionally.

Helen, Julie & Paul, Very many thanks for your thoughts on the matter! It's clarified the issue in my mind and I can build up more of a story around my ancestor now. Good luck with your own research. Kind Regards Jane

In most Regiments and Corps, Colour Sergeants formed the escort to the Regimental Colours, and still do in certain circumstances. Another name for the rank is Staff Sergeant, and the badge of rank is three stripes with a crown above them. It is the highest rank where the badge of rank is worn on the upper arm (in most cases). Paul

It's a rank - especially in Royal Marines.

A colour sergeant is one who is responsible for the "colours" or flags - but regiments had more than one I believe and they may also have had other flags for the battalion or the sovereign. If you know which regiment you could google and see if they have a museum which might be able to answer your query. nell

Does anyone know? I found 8 of 'em in one regiment in the late 1880s - I can't believe they needed all those people to carry the flags! Thanks in advance. Jane