Kilts in UK Army battle dress uniform

[Jock Scot]

The decision even made the news in far off Australia, the Cairns Post reporting it on 31 May 1940:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42247318

Well now we have a pretty close date and allowing for a small intercontinental news time lapse perhaps, thank you. I always had an idea that May/June 1940 might be about the time the "powers that be" made the decision.

[Bruce Scott]

Well now we have a pretty close date and allowing for a small intercontinental news time lapse perhaps, thank you. I always had an idea that May/June 1940 might be about the time the "powers that be" made the decision.

This provides some additional information:

Extract from 'Return to St. Valéry' by Lieutenant General Sir Derek Lang

The Division was commanded by Major General Victor Fortune.

In January 1940 they embarked at Southampton for Le Havre.

It was during the preparation that the War Office decided that the kilt was not appropriate for modern warfare and the order was given to hand them in.

Lieutenant Colonel Wimberley commanding the 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders wrote :

"An attack has been made on the Highland Regiments as to their wearing their kilts in battle in Europe... the kilt as a battledress was being attacked from three angles. On the grounds of (unit) security, on grounds of its inadequacy in case of gas attack and on grounds of difficulty of supply in war. There was also the tinge of jealousy - why should the kilted regiments be given preferential treatment to wear a becoming kilt. The thickness of the kilt and its seven yards of tartan was extra protection. It was traditional in all highland regiments never to wear any garment in the way of pants under the kilt. But anti-gas pants were issued."

The 5th Gordons had a symbolic parade at Bordon in January 1940 before embarkation in which a single kilt was ceremonially burned. A stone memorial marked the spot inscribed "We hope not for long". The 1st Camerons somehow managed to avoid the order and some were still wearing the kilt at St.Valéry.

The HD signs were removed and replaced with St.Andrews crosses and stags heads on green and purple background. The GOC, Major General Victor Fortune, however continued to wear the HD on his uniform.

From: http://51hd.co.uk/history/mobilisation#ixzz4nyS88MlQ

[Jock Scot]

Thank you Bruce, its seems January 1940 is when the kilt was deemed "unsuitable" for combat use by the War Office. Earlier than I thought, but nice to know.