British army may lift beards ban after 300-plus years

To help swell ranks, army chiefs reportedly considering aligning with navy and RAF in allowing beards

Alexander the Great apparently banned his soldiers from sporting them to prevent enemies getting a grip in combat. British troops in the Crimean war grew theirs down to their waist.

The history of the beard in the military has changed over centuries. By and large, however, the British army has banned them – except in extreme circumstances or with very specific exceptions – since the beginning of the 18th century.