Bill Millins Kilt

[figheadair]

Sorry Richard but i shall have to contradict you about pleating, I have an OR's Seaforth kilt i think it dates from the early 50's and that has knife pleats. I could be that the TA/reserve battalions had knife pleats rather than box pleats?

No, not the TA Bn, it was just a phase that they went through, probably because it was cheaper/easier to make rather than the box-knife.

Another error in the original list was the BW whose kilts were barrel pleated not knife although as above, there was a period when the regiment wore knife pleats.

[OC Richard]

the BW whose kilts were barrel pleated not knife although as above, there was a period when the regiment wore knife pleats.

This "barrel pleat" subject has been visited before, and I'm waiting to see a photo of a member of The Black Watch wearing such. I have seen, handled, and worn a number of Black Watch kilts from various periods all having knife pleats, and I have a pile of photos showing serving members of The Black Watch appearing to show ordinary knife pleats (though it's often difficult to see the precise pleating due to the dark tartan). As far as I know (and I gladly welcome photos proving me wrong) The Black Watch wore knifepleated kilts from at least 1881 to the creation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The rear of a typical Black Watch kilt



the rear of a typical Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders kilt (typical save for the black binding)



The only kilts I've seen where the pleats could be described as "barrels" are boxpleated kilts (Argylls, Camerons, or Seaforths) which haven't been pressed in a very long time, where the pleats have lost their crisp edges. I've not seen a kilt looking like that being worn by a serving member of a Scottish regiment, though. Their kilts usually seem to have been pressed.

All of this is offtopic anyhow, the topic being Cameron Highlanders kilts.

[seanachie]

I am personally interested in the initial subject of this thread. I, too, have great admiration for Bill Millin and interested in the advice, and decisions the OP makes on this. I had contemplated a similar idea at the time of this hero's death. Please keep updates on this project coming.

[Kilted Karl]

Seanachie,

I will try to keep you updated. Perhaps once I have finished research and find the time to get to work I will start a project thread. This will not be my first kilt. I made a box pleated kilt entirely by hand as well as making several others by machine. It looks like it will be a foray into the military box however.

It should be fun.

Sincerely,

Karl :ootd:

[Kilted Karl]

Dear All,

I have been doing more research. Internet research always seems to frustrate me, in both meanings of the word.

I found out some interesting things about Bill Millin and his father. He was born in July of 1922 in Canada and his Scottish Father whose name was John moved to Glasgow when Bill was 2 or 3. John Millin was an immigrant from Scotland but I cannot find the date of immigration. I want to know whether John Millin served in the Canadian or the Scottish Camerons. However that might just be a useless rabbit trail. Were there any differences between the kilts of the Canadian Camerons and the Scottish Camerons?

I am also going to contact the Dwalish museum in devon to see if I can get some more information on Mr Millin's kilt.

Sincerely,

Kilted Karl :ootd:

[figheadair]

Bob Martin's the man to turn to. He's examined them and knows the background. He's an occasional visitor here so may comment but I'll email him too. More anon.

This "barrel pleat" subject has been visited before, and I'm waiting to see a photo of a member of The Black Watch wearing such. I have seen, handled, and worn a number of Black Watch kilts from various periods all having knife pleats, and I have a pile of photos showing serving members of The Black Watch appearing to show ordinary knife pleats (though it's often difficult to see the precise pleating due to the dark tartan). As far as I know (and I gladly welcome photos proving me wrong) The Black Watch wore knifepleated kilts from at least 1881 to the creation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The rear of a typical Black Watch kilt



the rear of a typical Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders kilt (typical save for the black binding)



The only kilts I've seen where the pleats could be described as "barrels" are boxpleated kilts (Argylls, Camerons, or Seaforths) which haven't been pressed in a very long time, where the pleats have lost their crisp edges. I've not seen a kilt looking like that being worn by a serving member of a Scottish regiment, though. Their kilts usually seem to have been pressed.

All of this is offtopic anyhow, the topic being Cameron Highlanders kilts.

[figheadair]

This "barrel pleat" subject has been visited before, and I'm waiting to see a photo of a member of The Black Watch wearing such. I have seen, handled, and worn a number of Black Watch kilts from various periods all having knife pleats, and I have a pile of photos showing serving members of The Black Watch appearing to show ordinary knife pleats (though it's often difficult to see the precise pleating due to the dark tartan). As far as I know (and I gladly welcome photos proving me wrong) The Black Watch wore knifepleated kilts from at least 1881 to the creation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

According to Bob Martin's 'All About Your Kilt' the barrel (piped) pleat of the 42nd made its appearance c1853. It was '....no more than the knife-pleat laid the opposite direction on the inside and left unpressed, thus showing the pleats on the outside, laying to the left instead of the right.' He then talks about how they were managed and why that gave rise to the alternate name the 'Cane Pleat'. Finally, Bob states that from 1936 to the 1970s the 42nd wore 29 piped pleats. His book contains at least one picture of a barrelpleated 42nd kilt.

[Kilted Karl]

Dear All,

Thank you all for all of your input so far.

I have contacted Mr. Millin's Son as well as the Sculptor of the monument in Normandy (who was able to examine Mr. Millin's kit in minute detail) as well as the Dwalish Museum (which houses the kilt, 'pipes, bonnet, etc. worn by Mr. Millin).

I have gotten replies back and am on my way to having enough information to actually start on this project.

Thank you for your help. Advice and comments are always appreciated .

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl

[mookien]

Karl: The only advice I can proffer is to not let anyone discourage your effort. It is a wonderful thing you are planning and a fitting tribute to a true warrior. It seems like you have already taken important first steps. Good luck and may the Good Lord guide and bless your effort.

John

[Kilted Karl]

Dear Rabble,

I have been doing a rather large amount of research lately, not just on Mr. Millin but on the British army and the British Commando's as well. It seems this outfit will have two rather nice by products. A start for a WWI highlander's impression and a Nearly complete WWII British Army/Commando Impression.

I have now started the dangerous part of this project... buying things.

I have acquired an original F~S knife (and made a sheath for it, the original sheath was in an unusable condition), and have purchased a beret, and short puttees.

I have a lot more research to do before I start buying the web gear and sewing the Clothes.

Any advice or constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl