Khaki Aprons circa World War I

[macwilkin]

I think that the front only khaki aprons had less to do with "priorities" than the expectation that the enemy would never see the back of a Highlander.
i.e. no retreating and no expectation of a Highlander having to crawl in the dirt under fire.

I think more of it had to do with spending and lack of foresight, i.e. the kilt apron was an "battlefield innovation" and probably not a lot of thought went into it at first, like many other pieces of military "kit".

The Boer War saw a lot of re-thinking of the field uniform; formation signs, regimental cap badges and rank insignia quickly disappeared, and officers tried dress like other ranks to make themselves more "invisible" from sniper fire.

The myth of the Boer War is that the Boers were all farmers in civilian clothing, but the Boers had their professional para-military forces that wore uniforms (The Transvaal Stats-Artillery) and foreign volunteers from Europe and the US (Blakes Irish Brigade) who wore uniforms as well.

I have a great photo somewhere of some Black Watch Jocks beside a block house fortification in South Africa; as well as the kilt aprons, the Jocks are wearing Australian-style slouch hats, which gives a very natty look indeed! ;)

Here endeth the lesson. :mrgreen: Jimmy, always happy to oblige!

Cheers,

Todd