play dress-up military photos

[OC Richard]

I did a thread a few years ago "soldiers or posers?" but my photos were on Photobucket which service I've dropped.

So here goes, delving into the fascinating realm of "play dress-up" photos, generally American soldiers on leave in Scotland, dressing up in the random bits of clothing and accessories which the photographic studio has to hand for that purpose.

The fascinating part is spotting the strange mix of civilian and military kit, and within the military items the mix of ranks and regiments, and things worn wrongly.

Some photos are obvious. At least here they've separated military and civilian items, but one can spot numerous issues with the Highlander at left. What regiment does he represent? It's complicated.

[OC Richard]

What about this one? What do you see?

Is he a Highland soldier, or somebody just putting on bits of kit?

[OC Richard]

Is this guy a military piper, a civilian piper?

If military, which regiment?

Or is he not a piper at all?

[BobF]

Well, give me your impression of this one. I found it among photos in my grandmother’s garage. I’m fairly certain it was a family member, as it had been at some point cut and fitted into an oval frame. We had family (and apparently still do) in Dalry, North Ayrshire, from where my great-grandparents came to the US in 1907, initially living in Waterbury, Connecticut with other emigrated family in the area. I can confirm that at least one of my grandmother’s cousins played bagpipes (not well), but this isn’t him. Can you discern from his outfit whether he may have actually been a piper, or just playing dress-up?