Royal Guard of Tonga

Today, they seem to wear british-inspired uniforms. Does anyone know their uniform during the late XIX century and early XX century?

From what I've seen from limited photographs the uniform was again British in style with a pillbox cap, tunic and trousers. I think around the Great War (before or after, I'm not sure) a dark blue uniform of peaked cap, tunic and sulu were worn. Khaki drill during the second World War and white after.

Thanks Sean! Do you know the colour of the early "British-like" uniform? (the one with the pillbox cap)

Unfortunately no. The only photo I've seen is of course B&W and I have no written account. It may be infantry pattern, but why the pillbox cap? Also later uniforms were blue so perhaps it was artillery colouring. Sorry, I have been trying to answer that one for a while.

Sean

Could you share that picture?

This is what I think the Guard uniform was in 1900.
Basically infantry pattern but with a pillbox cap. The Martini carbine was probable gifted by the British Government. But there is a fair amount of speculation in the colours.

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Thanks Sean! Just one last question, this was the only regular unit of the tongan army of the time, right?

As far as I'm aware, yes.

The Guard and band in 1954

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