The New Scottish Super Regiment - Trews vs Kilts

**sav** · 24th July 05, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

It makes my heart sad to see history & tradition destroyed like this.

You're not the only one. My great-grandfather and grandfather are rolling in their graves over amalgamation. Being a military historian (with Scotland as my focus) and a reenactor of Scottish regiments, I'm both enraged and saddened. In 1994, my great-grandfather's pride and joy, The Gordons, were amalgamated. He was still alive at the time, and it was the only time in my life that I had seen this hardy, stoic man weep. Hopefully, the traditions and histories of each of these regiments will not be lost, through the efforts of many devoted people in regimental museums, veterans, reenactors, etc. And I'm not ashamed to say, Todd, that when I read that poem you posted, it really got me choked up.

I beseech all of you! Visit the "Save the Scottish Regiments" website and sign the petition!!!

~Sav

**macwilkin** · 24th July 05, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by sav

You're not the only one. My great-grandfather and grandfather are rolling in their graves over amalgamation. Being a military historian (with Scotland as my focus) and a reenactor of Scottish regiments, I'm both enraged and saddened. In 1994, my great-grandfather's pride and joy, The Gordons, were amalgamated. He was still alive at the time, and it was the only time in my life that I had seen this hardy, stoic man weep. Hopefully, the traditions and histories of each of these regiments will not be lost, through the efforts of many devoted people in regimental museums, veterans, reenactors, etc. And I'm not ashamed to say, Todd, that when I read that poem you posted, it really got me choked up.

I beseech all of you! Visit the "Save the Scottish Regiments" website and sign the petition!!!

~Sav

Military history was also my emphasis in university, Sav, and I have been interested in the Scottish regiments of the British Army since I was a "wee yin".

Unfortunately, the "scuttlebutt" is that not even the regimental museums will be spared from the politician's pen.

Todd

**GMan** · 24th July 05, 03:17 PM

How sad this whole thing is.

**bubba** · 24th July 05, 03:20 PM

Westminster does take great delight in destroying anything that isn't strictly English. I wish the Scots would stand up and say "enough".

Free Scotland

**macwilkin** · 24th July 05, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by bubba

Westminster does take great delight in destroying anything that isn't strictly English. I wish the Scots would stand up and say "enough".

Free Scotland

Sadly, it's not just the Scottish regiments, Bubba. English and Welsh regiments, many with equally long histories and traditions are being sacrificed on the budget & ledger-sheet altar.

This story from the BBC details all of the proposed cuts & amalgamations:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4102013.stm

Todd

**davedove** · 24th July 05, 03:52 PM

Not that I want to see them go, but what's happening in the United Kingdom is what has already happened in other armies. You don't see Illinois regiments or Texas regiments in the US anymore except in the National Guard, and even they are being pulled into "Big Army". I'm sure the same kinds of discussions happened here as well. What is bound to happen is there may be a few special units in the active military, but most of these regiments will only be known through history and reenactors. Times change and the military has to change with it. Sad, but true.

**macwilkin** · 24th July 05, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by davedove

Not that I want to see them go, but what's happening in the United Kingdom is what has already happened in other armies. You don't see Illinois regiments or Texas regiments in the US anymore except in the National Guard, and even they are being pulled into "Big Army". I'm sure the same kinds of discussions happened here as well. What is bound to happen is there may be a few special units in the active military, but most of these regiments will only be known through history and reenactors. Times change and the military has to change with it. Sad, but true.

Yes and no, Dave. I have worked with personnel from all the branches of the US military, and there is some esprit-de-corps and military history out there -- the Marines are No. 1, but the 3rd Infantry Regt. (The Old Guard), the 9th Infantry Regt. (The Manchus) and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regt. (Brave Rifles) are also doing a great job as well.

The thing to remember is that the British Army MADE the regimental system what it is. The US Army began to abandon the regimental system around the time of the First World War, although the history is still around in some places. Unit history & tradition never really left the National Guard in the first place, and many units in the guard and reserves still trace their lineage back to "historic" regiments -- there was even a move to re-activate the old 79th New York Highlanders several years ago. The 69th NY is still around, as well as the Washington Artillery (now a transportation unit) of New Orleans. Our local unit, the 203rd Combat Engineer Battalion (The Hound Dawgs) still looks to its past as the old 2nd Missouri Infantry.

I believe that an army, be it the US, British or other Commonwealth nations (these are the three that I'm most familiar with, so hence my examples) can be updated to fit the times without sacrificing history and tradition. Reenactors, historians (civilian and military) and the National Park Service, Parks Canada, etc. play a part in preserving it. All of the officers and other ranks I have talked to in my time with the park service acknowledge the effect that unit traditions, esprit-de-corps, etc. have on serving troops.

Cheers,

Todd