and other French enclaves in British India. These were converted to gendarmerie in 1907 but returned to the Troupes Coloniales in 1921. Name changes The precise meaning of the terms "colonial troops", "colonial army", marine troops or "troops of the French colonies" has changed several times since the 18th century: During the 18th and early 19th centuries "marine infantry" was the title used to identify French troops stationed permanently in France's various overseas territories. After the middle of the 19th century this term was extended to include the "native" troops recruited in the French colonies, excluding North Africa. The title "colonial troops" was adopted in 1900, when all the Marine Infantry and Marine Artillery troops that had previously come under the Ministry of the Navy were transferred to come under the orders of the War Department. In 1958 when France's African colonies had gained their independence, the mission and title of these troops was redefined. After a brief period as "Overseas Troops" (Troupes d'Outre-Mer) the traditional title of Marines was restored. The Marine regiments did however remain part of the French Army. List of regiments in New France 1755–59 Colony troops: Compagnies Franches de la Marine Regular regiments of the Royal Army assigned to colonial service: Régiment de La Reine Régiment d'Artois Régiment de La Sarre Royal-Roussillon Régiment de Bourgogne Régiment de Languedoc Régiment de Guyenne Régiment de Berry Régiment de Béarn Volontaires Etrangers Uniforms The European Colonial Infantry and Colonial Artillery regiments were, until 1914, uniformed in a similar style to their metropolitan counterparts (although the former had yellow fringed epaulettes and medium blue trousers instead of the red epaulettes and red trousers of the line infantry). On colonial service white, dark blue or light khaki uniforms were worn with topees, according to circumstances. Between 1895 and 1905 a light blue/grey (bleu mecanicien) uniform was worn for field dress in Africa and Indo China (see photograph opposite). From 1873 onwards, the Troupes Coloniales wore a double-breasted tunic, known as a paletot which was only worn by them. This garment was worn throughout the First World War, and is useful in positively identifying Troupes Coloniales in photographs, as specifically distinct from troops of the Metropolitan Army who did not wear this garment. As with the rest of the army, they adopted horizon blue uniforms in 1915, subsequent to the notice of 9 December 1914. Towards the end of, and after,