"F.P.H."? Mystery Highland soldier

[jf42]

Greetings all,

I enclose the link to a photo posted to another site by someone seeking information on a possible forebear

https://www.flickr.com/photos/doffco...n/photostream/

It has been discussed on several sites now, with everyone puzzled by the conundrum of a soldier, apparently a Volunteer,
who looks very much Black Watch from the waist up not to mention his sporran cantle; his obscured cap badge on a plain blue Glengarry bonnet suggests one of the Volunteer battalions that did not wear a badge based on the Black Watch post-1881 badge.

However, we also have the kilt which is definitely not Black Watch or Royal Stewart. The sett resembles Clan Cameron which would be an odd combination with the BW theme of the top half.

The belt buckle appears to read "F.P.H."

A Canadian connection is not very likely but cannot be ruled out

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Here is the original discussion on https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...s/topics/45350
and a supplementary debate on Victorian Wars Forum for those who are interested.

[figheadair]

Greetings all,

I enclose the link to a photo posted to another site by someone seeking information on a possible forebear

https://www.flickr.com/photos/doffco...n/photostream/

It has been discussed on several sites now, with everyone puzzled by the conundrum of a soldier, apparently a Volunteer,
who looks very much Black Watch from the waist up not to mention his sporran cantle; his obscured cap badge on a plain blue Glengarry bonnet suggests one of the Volunteer battalions that did not wear a badge based on the Black Watch post-1881 badge.

However, we also have the kilt which is definitely not Black Watch or Royal Stewart. The sett resembles Clan Cameron which would be an odd combination with the BW theme of the top half.

The belt buckle appears to read "F.P.H."

A Canadian connection is not very likely but cannot be ruled out

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Here is the original discussion on https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...s/topics/45350
and a supplementary debate on Victorian Wars Forum for those who are interested.

The tartan might be Hunting Fraser which was worn by the Lovat Scouts but possibly other Volunteer units too.

[jf42]

Thank you for that suggestion. Most helpful. Apart from the Lovat Scouts, I can only find one company of the Invernessshire Volunteer rifles that wore Fraser tartan kilts between 1865 and 1880. Do you know of others?

JF

[figheadair]

Thank you for that suggestion. Most helpful. Apart from the Lovat Scouts, I can only find one company of the Invernessshire Volunteer rifles that wore Fraser tartan kilts between 1865 and 1880. Do you know of others?

JF

No others come to mind I'm afraid.

[The Wizard of BC]

Is it sure that this pic is of a serving member of the military?

Is it possible that this is a photo of an actor in a film or stage production?

I love old movies but I'm far from an expert. But this guy sure does look familiar.

[jf42]

Instinctively, I would say- yes, this is a serving soldier or at least a Volunteer or Territorial at camp. The trouble is we cant find a context that would incorporate all the details.

I also think the photo predates the film industry as we understand it. My guess is circa 1900, give or take 10 years, although fellow members on Victorian Wars Forum disagree.

He does look clean-cut and healthy, though, which is why I still can't quite rule out a Dominion context (hardly scientific!) although having just checked the list elsewhere on this Forum there is no Canadian Scottish Regiment that fits the bill either in terms of the Fraser tartan kilt or the initials 'F.P.H.' on his belt plate.

(Perhaps a touch of Gordon Macrae ('Carousel')- I haven't done a search!)

[macwilkin]

The collar dogs and sporran badge appear to be the Black Watch "Jimmy" (St. Andrew and his cross).

[Liam]

Could F.P.H. perhaps refer to something like Fire and Police Highlanders and be a pipe and drum band?

[jf42]

The collar dogs and sporran badge appear to be the Black Watch "Jimmy" (St. Andrew and his cross).

Yes, as mentioned in OP- sporran, collar dogs, dark facings (presumably blue) and plain glengarry all point to Black Watch affiliation. The cap badge is not based on the large post-1881 Black Watch badge, which was not worn by all Volunteer battalions. The Fraser tartan, if that i.d. is correct, or whatever it might be, contradicts that.

The belt plate has been the focus of suggestions that this might not be a military context after all- whether "Fire and Police Highlanders" or- something else.

The hunt goes on.

[macwilkin]

Given the possible Black Watch connection, I'm wondering if the F & P refer to Forfar and Perth, which was part of the traditional recruiting area for the BW?