Blue Patrol Jacket

[OC Richard]

I will take the title of this forum literally (putting it on properly) and mention that only the jacket shown by Jock a couple posts above is a Blue Patrols jacket.

Which is to say, Blue Patrols isn't a general or vague notion but a specific sort of dress in the British Highland regiments (and perhaps others, I don't know) worn by Officers.

Interestingly, the blue patrol jacket isn't worn with kilts, but with trews.

The exception is certain Pipe Majors who also happen to be Officers.

Here's another photo of an actual Blue Patrols tunic



Here's Pipe Major Captain Gavin Stoddart wearing his blue patrols. Note that no waistbelt/dirk belt is worn with blue patrols, the dirk suspended by internal means.

[KiltingandPiping]

Enjoying this thread, thanks to all for discussion/sharing.

Slightly off topic...

I'd like to mention Pipe Major Captain Gavin Stoddart, a true gentleman and a gifted piper/composer.
I had the privilege to study under him at one of the US National Piping Center summer programs.
His graciousness with all beginners and encouragement to seasoned players will never be forgotten!
A truly remarkable man, emulating him in a small way would see a life well lived!

[48HofC]

Highland regiments wear blue patrols with kilts or trews, not just trews. Depending on the specific regiment it changes with battalion dress orders. It is generally worn by officers carrying out certain duties as well as NCO's. I know this to be fact because I still have the jacket I wore and I was never a commissioned officer or RSM etc. Patrols are not limited to the Highland regiments either, they are quite common across the British army ie: Brigade of Guards etc, but are not cut away for the sporran.

[OC Richard]

Highland regiments...

I should have specified that I was speaking of the Highland regiments of the British army.

Of course I'm just an American who never served in a Highland regiment of the British army. All I have to go on is photographs and what I've read. And absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence, as they say. But I can't ever recall seeing a photograph of a Highland officer wearing kilts with blue patrols, except for Pipe Majors who have attained officer rank.

That goes back to the 19th century to today. The Royal Regiment Of Scotland's No. 15 dress is blue patrols, and trews are worn.

For sure in Canada patrol dress had been extended far beyond its British scope- I've seen pipe bands with the pipers in black patrol jackets and the drummers in red patrol jackets, etc.

Some nice photos...

In the 19th century the patrol jackets often had decoration; remember these were non-regulation at this time, and that officers privately purchased their uniforms. Barnes states that blue patrols were repeatedly banned but remained extremely popular with officers nevertheless.



Here is the modern style with pockets. You can also see the shell jackets which were also popular and privately purchased by officers.



In colour (note here as in many other cases senior noncommissioned officers wearing things normally associated with officers)

[48HofC]

I was referring to all Highland regiments, not specifically Canadian. If you want to see an example of a corporal in patrols and a kilt, google- Gordon Walker 1995 northern meeting, and you'll see the wee corporal from the RSF dressed as I have mentioned. You can't go directly by the online RRS manual, because it does not have all variations of dress covered due to peculiarities of differences in the antecedent regiments. In Canada, the only patrols in the military that are worn are blue, civilians wear black, red, etc.

[blackwatch70]

Dear 48HofC,

just to clarify the issue of wearing Blue Patrol jacket in scottish (Highland) regiments of British army (at least after WWII until today), I would like to quote Gordon Walker himself where he explained wearing of blue patrol on Northern Meeting 1995 that you refer to: " ...I am writing in response to your article above and wish to set the record straight regarding the wearing of ”The Blue Patrol” Jacket within the ranks of my regiment, The Royal Highland Fusiliers. This form of dress is laid down clearly and documented within the dress rules and regulations of the regiment, and is worn by senior ranks from Sergeant’s to Officers mainly on administration day’s. For your information though, regimental H.Q. had granted permission for me to wear this jacket in competition at the time when I was Pipe Corporal, alleviating the constraints of wearing the full dress order of plaid, cross belt/waist belt etc. and therefore an appointment was arranged with the regimental tailor for me to be measured and fitted with said jacket for the purposes of representing the regiment in solo piping competitions"

so it was definitely an exception to the general rule.

full text Gordon Walker letter could be found on this link:
https://pipingpress.com/highland-dre...gordon-walker/

best regards,
Mikhail

[48HofC]

Dear Black watch 70,,,
My reply was about how the jacket was worn by others than just officers in trews, and you pointed out quite well that sergeants wear them as well. In hindsight I should not have used Gordon Walker as an example, and I apologize to anyone that might have been offended by my poor judgement.