Historical information

This jacket appears to be part of the uniform of a junior officer of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot, a line infantry regiment of the British Army. Several companies of the regiment were stationed in Sydney and Hobart between 1845 and 1857.

The jacket was acquired by Brighton Historical Society around 1971 as part of a collection of clothing belonging to the Ward Cole family of 'St Ninians', 10 Miller Street, Brighton. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and his family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time; the family lived at St Ninians from around 1841 until the early 1900s.

It is not known who the jacket belonged to or how it came into the Ward Coles' possession. While George Ward Cole was a military man, his service was with the British Navy and during an earlier period than is indicated by this jacket (1807-1817).

Physical description

A red and green flocked cotton military jacket believed to be part of the uniform of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot. The jacket features a green high stand collar secured at the throat by three brass hook and eye closures. The red jacket bodice secures down the centre front with fourteen brass buttons and finishes approximately at the navel. The bottom line sits on the waistline at the sides and back, tapering lower to the naval at the centre front. The bottom line features two substantial brass hooks one on either side of the waist to secure the jacket to the pants. The shoulder line of the jacket is a neat tight fit on the true shoulder, with a slim fitting curved sleeve with gathered fullness at the shoulder. On each shoulder is a metallic corded epaulet with North Devon XI button and second button with floral motif. At the base of the sleeve is a green cuff like detail with a curved elongated point towards the elbow. At the base of each sleeve is a further two brass regiment buttons. The cream woolen jacket lining is lightly quilted over the breast.