Cameron of erracht military kilt

[figheadair]

Berend,

Chances are what you have is an officer's kilt, which would have been tailored for the officer as opposed to being an issued kilt w/ the bright green binding/trim around the top. Note the black binding/trim around the top, this is again a feature found (previsouly) only on officer's kilts, also the differnce in material as opposed to an OR's issued kilt, both in colour being darker than usual and in hand, would also indicate an officer's kilt. The tartan is indeed Cameron of Erracht, and although now faded it is the darker sett that was worn by the officers andwas a finer wool.

I agree. It looks like an officer's kilt c1930-40. The chemical black dyes used at that time were very fugutive and had a tendancy to fade out to khaki.

[Lorna]

Cameron of Erracht tartan as worn by pipers of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, July 1, 2010.

[Mainer In Exile]

I realize that it's not necessary to mention that in 1944, in the battles in Normandy, the Cameronians would have been wearing battle dress (as would the Gordons fighting right slongside them in some of the actions).

But I'm curious, as I've rarely seen photos of Highlanders in a WWII combat theater wearing kilts "outside" of action; not even officers. In fact, for Normandy post D-Day, I can't think of a single instance. Anyone have any pertinent photos or links? I'd be very interested to see them.

Allen

[Downunder Kilt]

Kilts being worn "in action" during WWll has been the subject of a previous thread. Apart from Lord Lovats' piper I don't think you will find any further evidence. I believe that that there was in fact a war office directive that kilts were not to be worn in action

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Good information about the officers' kilts here. Thanks for those that contributed.

[macwilkin]

I realize that it's not necessary to mention that in 1944, in the battles in Normandy, the Cameronians would have been wearing battle dress (as would the Gordons fighting right slongside them in some of the actions).

But I'm curious, as I've rarely seen photos of Highlanders in a WWII combat theater wearing kilts "outside" of action; not even officers. In fact, for Normandy post D-Day, I can't think of a single instance. Anyone have any pertinent photos or links? I'd be very interested to see them.

Allen

Just a slight clarification Allen, but the Cameronians were a Lowland regiment that did not wear the kilt (save the pipes & drums). The Cameron Highlanders did wear the kilt. Given that the Cameronians were named for the Covenanting Presbyterian leader Richard Cameron and his followers, who made up the bulk of the first members of the regiment, it can be somewhat confusing.

Regards,

T.

[Jock Scot]

Kilts being worn "in action" during WWll has been the subject of a previous thread. Apart from Lord Lovats' piper I don't think you will find any further evidence. I believe that that there was in fact a war office directive that kilts were not to be worn in action

For those that have not seen that thread,the Cameron Highlanders were the last unit to see action wearing the kilt, in France in 1940. A battle damaged kilt from that action is on display at the Cameron museum at Achnacarry.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for the correction Jock, my memory of that particular thread isn't as good as yours, neither is my knowledge of scottish military history, ancient or recent Cheers to you Sir

[Jock Scot]

Thanks for the correction Jock, my memory of that particular thread isn't as good as yours, neither is my knowledge of scottish military history, ancient or recent Cheers to you Sir

Actually, I have to confess that I am not altogether sure that the thread you had in mind is the same one that I have in mind, but it could be! Nevertheless the military history bit is correct.

[artificer]

Berend,

Chances are what you have is an officer's kilt, which would have been tailored for the officer as opposed to being an issued kilt w/ the bright green binding/trim around the top. Note the black binding/trim around the top, this is again a feature found (previsouly) only on officer's kilts, also the differnce in material as opposed to an OR's issued kilt, both in colour being darker than usual and in hand, would also indicate an officer's kilt. The tartan is indeed Cameron of Erracht, and although now faded it is the darker sett that was worn by the officers andwas a finer wool.

As to the pleasting, being knife pleasted would again indicate it being an officer's kilt as they had more latitude in their uniforms being tailored as they were.

I have 4x Cameron military kilts, 2x issued and 2x officers, and several pairs of trews bot6h officer and OR. Both officer's kilts are knife pleated where as both OR are MBP'd, and all the officers kit is the darker tartan and softer wool, whereas the OR's what OC Richard shows pictures of.

And before anyone suggests that the 2x near identical kilts I have to yours may not be military, yes, both the officer kilts are marked on the inside for the officers they were tailored for, providing name, rank, and date.

So yes, I would wager that what you have is an officers kilt in Cameron of Erracht tartan for the QOCH, or one of the affiliated Dominion regiments.

Christian

Bolding above is mine.

This is slightly off topic, but I think this example will assist in people's understanding of how difficult it can sometimes be to pin down officer's gear.

Officers were required to supply their own uniforms and kit (which is why their uniforms are tailored instead of standard issue).

As a side-project last spring I drafted up plans for a c1880's era officer's Sam Browne harness. I wanted it to be as historically correct as possible in structure and fittings.
The problem was that every officer had theirs made by a local equestrian harness maker (or for the very well off, a high end leather goods house), These makers used the hardware that they had on hand, or that an officer preferred, so the variations were ENDLESS. This was made worse by the fact that the harness was non-standard for home service (it was basically officer's taking the initiative to have one made in the field). Even after the pattern was "SET" and approved for home service in 1898 the belts were still made by individual makers, which resulted in a lot of personal variation.
So the exact details of these harnesses (ring size, placement, exact strap fittings, positioning of components) is nearly impossible to define with 100% accuracy.

ith: