Circular No. 36.-LMM.
Admiralty, 24th June, 1869,

Beards and Moustaches in the Royal Navy.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have had under their consideration the provisions of the Chapter 44, Article 43, page 336 of the regulations forbidding the wearing of Beards and Moustaches by Officers and Men of the Fleet.

Representations having been made to their Lordships that it would conduce to the health and comfort of men, under many circumstances of service, were they to be permitted to discontinue the use of the Razor on board Her Majesty's Ships, they have been pleased to issue the following Regulations:

1. Clause 43, Chapter 44, of the Regulations is repealed, and Officers and men on board her Majesty's Ships, including the Royal Marines when embarked, will in future be permitted to wear Beards and Moustaches.

2. In all cases, when the permission granted in Clause I is taken advantage of, the use of the Razor must be entirely discontinued. Moustaches are not to be worn without the Beard, nor is the Beard to be worn without the Moustaches.

3. The Hair of Beard, Moustaches, and whiskers, is to be kept well cut and trimmed, and not too long for cleanliness. The Captain is to give such directions as seem to him desirable upon these heads, and to establish, so far as may be practicable, uniformity as to length of the Hair, Beards, Moustaches, and Whiskers of his Men; observing that those Men who do not avail themselves of the permission to wear Beard and Moustaches will wear their Hair and Whiskers as heretofore.

4. Officers of Divisions will take special care that the provisions of Clauses 2 and 3 are strictly attended to by such of their Men as may avail themselves of the permission contained in Clause 1, and failure in these respects is to be considered as an offence under Article C in the Table of Summary punishments.

5. Royal Marines on shore will follow the Regulations of the Army with regard to Beard and Moustaches.

6. Their Lordships desire that it may be distinctly understood that permission now given to wear Beards and Moustaches is not necessarily to be considered as permanent, and that if neatness and cleanliness are not observed this order will be revoked.

By Command of their Lordships,
W. G. Romaine.
To all Commanders-in-Chief, &c.

Circular No. 67.-LMM.
Admiralty, 8th December, 1869.

Beards and Moustaches for Royal Marines.

1. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have observed that the provisions of Circular No. 36, of 24th June, 1869, have not been uniformly interpreted as to the Royal Marines embarked on board Her Majesty's Ships, and they are pleased to direct as follows:

2. Officers and Men of the Royal Marines may wear their Moustaches only, when embarked, should they prefer so to do.

3. Considering the hardships that might be involved, in compelling such Officers and Men of the Royal Marines, as elect to wear both Beards and Moustaches when embarked, to shave their Beards on being discharged to Head Quarters on shore, their Lordships are pleased to direct that the permission to wear Beards on board ship, granted by Circular No. 36, shall be extended to all Officer, and Men of the Royal Marines on shore.

4. In other respects, the provisions of the above Circular apply to Royal Marines on shore, as well as afloat, and the attention of Commanding Officers is especially called to the necessity of enforcing neatness and cleanliness

By command of their Lordships,
Vernon Lushington
To: all Commanders-in-Chief, &c.

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