Shoulder Sashes

SASHES

A sash (Arabic: shash) is a cloth belt used to hold a robe together, and is usually tied about the waist. Decorative sashes may pass from the shoulder to the hip rather than around the waist. Sashes traditionally form part of formal military attire. The modern British Army retains a scarlet sash for wear in certain orders of dress by sergeants and above serving in infantry regiments, over the right shoulder to the left hip. 

The first mention of infantry sergeant's sash with a single stripe of facing colour in the British Army came in the clothing regulations of 1727.   Regulations were vague on whether it was to be worn over the shoulder or around the waist.    This was clarified in 1747 when orders were issued calling for sergeants to always wear their sashes around their waists.  With the exception of highland regiments, from this point until 1826, the sergeant's sash changed very little. However there were deviations from regulations from time to time.  Until 1914 sashes were worn as a peace-time mark of rank by officers of the Imperial German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies, amongst others. Japanese officers continued the practice in full dress uniform until 1940. Today, infantry senior NCOs wears their sashes mainly for regimental duties such as parades and duty.

However, in the Caribbean the red wool sash with tassels is for sergeants and Warrant Officers Class Two. It runs from the right shoulder to the waist on the other side.  It comes in different regulation sizes depending on the height of persons ranging from size 1 (58 inches/147cm), size 2 (60inches/152cm) to size 3 (62 inches/157cm). Point to note that the Warrant Officer Class One wears a waist sash like the officers. Remember now that each military and cadet force has their own uniforms and different ways of accessorizing them.