The Light Infantry regiments wear a bugle or French horn as part of
their badge, and together with Rifle regiments march with a much
quicker step than do other infantry regiments. The regulation pace is
120 to the minute, but Rifle and Light Infantry regiments step much
quicker, 140 to 160, except when marching with other troops, then their
pace is that laid down for the army generally. They have bugle bands
instead of drum and fife bands.
The Northumberland Fusiliers are the only regiment to celebrate St.
George's Day, and are looked upon as the representative English
infantry regiment in the British Army and their crest of St. George and
the Dragon is unique.
All Fusilier regiments wear sealskin fusilier caps with distinctive
plumes, and a grenade as a badge. The Royal Fusiliers is best known
as the City of London Regiment, and has some peculiar privileges in
consequence, one of these being the right to march through the City
of London with fixed bayonets, colours flying, and drums beating,
without first obtaining the permission of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen.
This privilege is shared by the Buffs, the Grenadier Guards and Royal
Marines only.
The Norfolk Regiment has a curious crest, being the figure of Britannia
as it used to appear on the copper coinage, and is the only regiment
not having a Royal title, of which His Majesty is Colonel-in-Chief. The
Lincolnshire Regiment was for some years after being raised the only
British regiment of infantry to wear blue coats.