Kilted British Unit in Iraq

[Sir Robert]

Maybe you guys would know what British units (with kilts) were in Iraq in 2004?

My chaplain wore the Black Watch but his connection to that tartan was personal.

Me personally, I have served along side the SAS and the Royal Irish Fusaliers.

But were there Highland troops in Iraq in 2004? If so what tartans are (or were) associated with those units?

The SAS guys were a hoot! I was chatting with a SAS trooper guarding thousands of blank ballots, I said: "Look, I have an ink pen. you have ballots, wee could be Kings." He replied with a quote from Kipling. Loved those guys.

[O'Neille]

I said: "Look, I have an ink pen. you have ballots, wee could be Kings." He replied with a quote from Kipling. Loved those guys.

Sir Robert---The Man Who Would Be King. O'Neille

[Sir Robert]

You guessed it correctly!

[bubba]

The Black Watch has served in Iraq, I believe they're still there.

[SingleBarrelBourbon]

Yes, the Black Watch did serve in Iraq. A couple of their members were awarded for valor. Sadly, at least one member did not return.

[bubba]

Yes, the Black Watch did serve in Iraq. A couple of their members were awarded for valor. Sadly, at least one member did not return.

The Black Watch is one of the outfits with a history of valor being a common virtue and, unfortunately, this means men die. They are deserving of any and all honors. As for the kilts, in deployment they wear standard battle dress, not kilts. The kilts aren't field uniform anymore.

[Sir Robert]

Aren't the Brits down to only one kilted unit anyway now? At the time (2004)I thought there were 3 differing tartans in use. Anyway I thought you guys would know.

[macwilkin]

Aren't the Brits down to only one kilted unit anyway now? At the time (2004)I thought there were 3 differing tartans in use. Anyway I thought you guys would know.

Dress details of the Royal Regiment of Scotland:

http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regt...ss_details.htm

Before the amalgamation, the six Scottish regiments had several tartans, which were worn as kilts and as trews.

A good source for regimental tartans, past and present, is TF Mills's Land Forces of the British Commonwealth web site:

http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartansx.htm

When you click on the names of individual tartans, you will see a short history of the tartan, and the regiments of the British and Commonwealth Armies that wore/wear them.

Todd

[Sir Robert]

That is a lot of tartans and they are down to however few?

[Woodsheal]

That is a lot of tartans and they are down to however few?

From looking at the photos on the RRS website, and reading thru the dress regs, it looks like all of the battalions (regardless of previous practice as individual units) will be using one tartan only - Government sett (Black Watch).