1897 - 6th Fusiliers (CGG) Canadian Infantry Officer Scarlet Frock attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Hale Burland, VD (1861-1914)

Clothing/Dress/Costume

Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

Description

1897 6th Fusiliers (CGG) Canadian Infantry Officer Scarlet Frock attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Hale Burland, VD (1861-1914) ABOUT THE FROCK This Officer's private purchase 5 button, serge frock coat has Lieutenant-Colonel's rank on the blue epaulettes and has the standard blue collars, and cuff facings for infantry. The 6th Fusilier buttons date the tunic to approximately 1894 to 1897. The tunic appears to have had collar dogs, now missing. This example is in fine condition with a very plush liner, and scarlet serge cloth with no discoloration. The two chest pockets are not pleated. This style of tunic is illustrated in "Scarlet to Khaki" by Clive Law. The tunic would have been worn with Officer trousers and either the white helmet or Officers forage cap and a set of Sam Brown kit for the field. These tunics were worn on field exercises and by those who reported for duty to serve in South Africa in Halifax 1899 before their Khaki issue. They were eventually phased out by the 1903 Khaki version of this tunic. ABOUTR THE OFFICER: Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Hale Burland, VD (1861-1914) Commanding Officer of the 6th Fusiliers and Honourary Colonel of the 1st P.W.R.F. He was a Montreal Business Magnet and attendee of Queen Victoria Jubilee 1897. Born on 19 March 1861 in Montreal, son of George Bull Burland and Clarissa Healy Cochrane; Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Hale Burland was a well know Montreal Businessman and Philanthropist who maintained a strong involvement in the militia, obtaining a commission in the 6th Battalion of Infantry (Fusiliers) in 1882. Ten years later he commanded the regiment. He retired in 1908 with the rank of honorary lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Fusiliers). In 1897 he had been president of the Montreal Military Institute. As a result of his interest in small arms, he served as president of the Amalgamated Rifle Association in 1895 and as commandant of the Canadian rifle team when it won the McKinnon Challenge Cup at Bisley, Surrey, England, in 1902. From 1911 to 1913 he presided over the Dominion Rifle Association, and he had held office in local, provincial, and federal rifle associations. He was also prominent in the Boy Scout movement, serving as provincial commissioner from 1910 to 1914. Married to Isabel May Megarry; Lt-Col Burland died on 9 Oct. 1914 in London, England, and was buried in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal. FROCK RIBBONS - The 1897 QV Jubilee medal & the 1899 Colonial Officer Volunteer Decoration 1897 - QUEEN VICTORIA JUBILEE MEDAL: In 1897, 37 silver medals and 165 bronze medals were awarded to the Canadian military contingent that attended the Diamond Jubilee Parade in London, England. The Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal was authorized by royal warrant to commemorate the event. Additionally, there were 15 silver medals awarded to Canadians on the June 1897 Honours List. 1894 - QUEEN VICTORIA COLONIAL OFFICER VOLUNTEER DECORATION (VD): On 24 May 1894 the grant of the decoration was extended by Royal Warrant to commissioned officers of Volunteer Forces throughout the British Empire, defined as being India, the Dominion of Canada, the Crown Colonies and the Crown Dependencies. This decoration was similar in design to the Volunteer Officers' Decoration but bore the Royal Cypher "VRI" (Victoria Regina Imperatrix) instead of "VR" (Victoria Regina). The Volunteer Officers' Decoration was issued until the Efficiency Decoration was instituted in September 1930.

Created By

Bertille L. Hurel

Create Date

August 17, 2022

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

May 3, 2025