Kilts and the BEF 1940

Owen · 16-09-2006, 12:56 AM

Found this French(-Canadian?) website with some excellent artwork.(Pierre Turner???)
Navigation :: Les uniformes
This one of a Black Watch soldier of 4th Division.
Attachment 452click on him to enlarge

I thought the "Ladies from Hell" wore battledress trousers from the start not kilts.
Anyone have any more info?

51highland · 17-09-2006, 03:26 PM

Hi Owen, I assume you mean trousers during battle? The last allied soldiers to officially wear the Kilt in battle, were The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, for which they received their blue hackle.

Owen · 17-09-2006, 05:37 PM

I suppose the illustration must show a Parade or ceremonial sentry.
When did QOCH wear their kilt under fire for the last time?

lancesergeant · 17-09-2006, 06:41 PM

There was a documentary sometime back about the Black Watch of Canada and they were shown wearing the kilt in battle in the first world war!!

51highland · 17-09-2006, 08:44 PM

1st batt QOCH reduced to a strenght of 79 men. were evacuated from Dunkirk May 31st 1940 after having fought a defensive role at La Bassee canal, holding off a German attack by some 300 tanks on May 25th, 1940. 4th Batt were captured along with the rest of 51st HD at St Valery.

Attched pic of 1st Camerons in France 1939.

morse1001 · 17-09-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancesergeant

There was a documentary sometime back about the Black Watch of Canada and they were shown wearing the kilt in battle in the first world war!!

I have a photo of my granddad taken in 1917 in passendale of him up to his knees in mud and wearing a Kilt!

Owen · 17-09-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancesergeant

There was a documentary sometime back about the Black Watch of Canada and they were shown wearing the kilt in battle in the first world war!!

I know they wore them in The Great War.
it's WW2 I wondered about.
Here is a picture of 42nd Bn CEF (BW of C) Sept 1918.
My late-friend Roy Henley aged 16 third from right.Shortly before being wounded by a spud-masher.
Most of the other men were killed. I've been to see their graves near Cambrai.

Owen · 17-09-2006, 10:23 PM

Just found this picture of Scottish troops at St.Valery.
www.belgiumww2.info - Escape and Evasion in wartime Belgium - The Cameron Highlanders

CROONAERT · 17-09-2006, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

I thought the "Ladies from Hell" wore battledress trousers from the start not kilts.
Anyone have any more info?

I notice too that the illustration is kitted out in a 1902 SD jacket which was worn in the early days of the war by TA units, not regulars. Regulars in the BW would have had the 37 pattern BD. (My grandad (one of the first terriers in France) arrived in France in 1939 clad in SD, but was evacuated in May 1940 wearing BD).

dave

CROONAERT · 17-09-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

Just found this picture of Scottish troops at St.Valery.[/url]

Note the BD blouse on the kilt-wearer - not the SD of the French illustration.

Dave

16-09-2006, 12:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,306	Kilts and the BEF 1940 Found this French(-Canadian?) website with some excellent artwork.(Pierre Turner???) Navigation :: Les uniformes This one of a Black Watch soldier of 4th Division. Attachment 452click on him to enlarge I thought the "Ladies from Hell" wore battledress trousers from the start not kilts. Anyone have any more info?

17-09-2006, 03:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
51highland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 812	Re: Black Watch,4 Div.BEF 1940 Hi Owen, I assume you mean trousers during battle? The last allied soldiers to officially wear the Kilt in battle, were The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, for which they received their blue hackle. __________________ 51 highland www.keep-em-moving.com Là á Bhlàir's math na Càirdean (Friends are good in the day of battle) Na diobair caraid's a charraid (Forsake not a friend in the fray) Cuimhnichibh na suinn nach maireann . Mairidh an cliu beo gu brath. (In memory of the Heroes who are no more. May their Fame live on forever)

17-09-2006, 05:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,306	Re: Black Watch,4 Div.BEF 1940 I suppose the illustration must show a Parade or ceremonial sentry. When did QOCH wear their kilt under fire for the last time?

17-09-2006, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
lancesergeant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 778	Re: Black Watch,4 Div.BEF 1940 There was a documentary sometime back about the Black Watch of Canada and they were shown wearing the kilt in battle in the first world war!!

17-09-2006, 08:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
51highland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 812	Re: Black Watch,4 Div.BEF 1940 1st batt QOCH reduced to a strenght of 79 men. were evacuated from Dunkirk May 31st 1940 after having fought a defensive role at La Bassee canal, holding off a German attack by some 300 tanks on May 25th, 1940. 4th Batt were captured along with the rest of 51st HD at St Valery. Attched pic of 1st Camerons in France 1939. __________________ 51 highland www.keep-em-moving.com Là á Bhlàir's math na Càirdean (Friends are good in the day of battle) Na diobair caraid's a charraid (Forsake not a friend in the fray) Cuimhnichibh na suinn nach maireann . Mairidh an cliu beo gu brath. (In memory of the Heroes who are no more. May their Fame live on forever)

17-09-2006, 10:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,306	Re: Black Watch,4 Div.BEF 1940 Just found this picture of Scottish troops at St.Valery. www.belgiumww2.info - Escape and Evasion in wartime Belgium - The Cameron Highlanders Last edited by Owen; 02-06-2007 at 12:18 AM. Reason: picture put back in

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