When I was in coloured sidecaps were optional and if you wanted one you bought your own but there were regiments where they weren't worn by junior ranks. The garter tabs on the other hand were issued along with hosetops of regimental colour, in REME we wore navy blue hose tops and a red and yellow garter tab. The RA wore khaki hosetops and although I can't remember I'd guess at red and blue flashes.
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