Uniforms Act 1894

1894 CHAPTER 45

An Act to regulate and restrict the wearing of Naval and Military Uniforms.

[25th August 1894]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1 Short title.

This Act may be cited for all purposes as the Uniforms Act. 1894.

2 Military uniforms not to be worn without authority.

(1) It shall not be lawful for any person not serving in Her Majesty's Military Forces to wear without Her Majesty's permission the uniform of any of those forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform : Provided that this enactment shall not prevent,—

(a) A member of a band from wearing at or for the purpose of a public performance by the band at any time within six years after the passing of this Act any dress which, at the passing of this Act, is the recognised uniform of the band, unless the dress is an exact imitation of the uniform of any of Her Majesty's military forces; or

(b) Any persons from wearing any uniform or dress in the course of a stage play performed in a place duly licensed or authorised for the public performance of stage plays, or in the course of a music hall or circus performance, or in the course of any bona fide military representation.

(2) If any person contravenes this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

3 Penalty for bringing contempt on uniform.

If any person not serving in Her Majesty's Naval or Military Forces wears without Her Majesty's permission the uniform of any of those forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform, in such a manner or under such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt upon that uniform, or employs any other person so to wear that uniform or dress, be shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ten pounds, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.

4 Interpretation.

In this Act—

• The expression " Her Majesty's Military Forces " means the regular forces, the reserve forces, and the auxiliary, forces within the meaning of the Army Act, other than the naval coast volunteers and naval volunteers :

• The expression " Her Majesty's Naval Forces " means the Navy, the naval coast volunteers, and the naval volunteers.

5 Commencement.

This Act shall come into operation on the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five.