The unique badge worn on both front and back of a headdress

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Why did one British infantry unit earn the right to wear a badge on the back of its headgear? It wasn't just for style; it was a permanent memorial to a desperate tactical maneuver during the Napoleonic Wars that saved lives and defined a regiment's identity.

The Gloucestershire Regiment, often called the 'Glosters,' was formed in 1881 during a period of significant British Army reform. The 28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment joined with the 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment to establish this fresh formation. While these units provided the backbone of the new regiment, they also brought with them distinct traditions, most notably the unique practice of wearing a badge on both the front and back of their headdress.

This specific distinction originated with the 28th Regiment following the Battle of Alexandria in 1801. During this engagement, the unit was forced to fight in two ranks, positioned back-to-back. This unusual tactical necessity became a point of pride, leading the regiment to adopt the dual-badge tradition as a lasting tribute to their service. The Glosters maintained this identity through over a century of service, from the Second Boer War—where they saw their first action—to the brutal trench warfare of the Western Front.

The regiment's history is marked by diverse global deployments and significant sacrifices. During World War I, sixteen battalions served across various fronts, including Italy, Gallipoli, and Persia, losing 8,100 men and earning 72 battle honours. In World War II, the unit faced another defining moment in Korea in 1951 at the Battle of the Imjin River. There, they held Gloster Hill for four days before being largely captured; their commander, Lieutenant-Colonel James Power Carne, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry.

The regiment's long lineage finally concluded in 1994 when it merged to become The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. Today, its history remains preserved through a network of museums, ensuring that the specific traditions born from 1801 tactics continue to be recognized by military historians.

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