In 1815, Hainsworth mill manufactured the iconic scarlet cloth for English troops at the Battle of Waterloo, helping to coin the enduring reference to the battle of 'the thin red line'. Waterloo had a major significance for Britain, helping the country to become a global trading nation.

There is no doubt that the British soldiers were an impressive sight on the battlefield adorned in Hainsworth scarlet cloth. The King's Guards still wear it as do Royalty in full military dress uniforms.

Khaki serge thanks to Hainsworth.

The rise of rifles and smokeless gunpowder led to the decline in demand for scarlet cloth in favour of drab, a light brown/sandy colour. Hainsworth remain the inventors and sole producers of genuine khaki serge.

The 'Boys in Blue' thanks to Hainsworth.

When the Air Force separated from the Army in 1918 and approached Hainsworth for colour ideas to have their own identity. It was Hainsworth that proposed the distinctive blue cloth that they have worn ever since.