Tartan Day in Balboa Park, San Diego

[Jock Scot]

I have two British regimental ties gifted to me that I wore on occasion when I was working and had to wear a tie every day. The first was from a RM Colour Sergeant I closely worked with during the Falklands War. The other was from a Major in the Intelligence Corps who was on exchange with us for 3 years. I only wore them in the US as Americans had no idea what they represented. However, one day I met a RM who saw my tie and asked me "why?" I explained how I came to be wearing an RM tie and who gave it to me - turned out they had served together - and all went well after that. But, I've not worn either in the last 15 years as I seldom wear a tie anymore.

Hello there, Bill! How are you doing?

Personally I think as you were presented the ties by those that appreciated your input to "our" cause, you should wear the ties with pride. Yes you may be questioned about them by "those that don’t know",but I think your input had been noted without a further question, by those that do know!

Interestingly, my wife was looking at the RM "Bootneck Tartan tie" at a charity do and she asked if I wanted one! I refused, as I said that I was not entitled to wear it. A loud voice from behind me said "you have been raising money for the RM charity for years of course you can B........ wear it!" It was the RM Commandant General(a shooting acquaintance) and he bought it for me! Some years later at a RM function a familiar load voice from behind me demanded to know why I was improperly dressed! Where was my tie!? I said that I didn't feel that I was entitled to wear it. He bought another tie and insisted that I wore it there and then! Who was I to argue!