Kilts in WW1

[Philip S. Tibbetts]

Dear Forum Members,

I have a query that needs clearing up on kilt history (apologies if this has been answered before).

I’ve heard contradictory reports regarding the benefits of wearing the kilt in the WW1 trenches. The first theory seems to be that the kilt was a positive thing by keeping core temperature up around the waist as well as being less prone to trapping water next to the ankles and causing trenchfoot. On the other hand I’ve also heard that it could be the cause of amputations as icicles formed which in turn caused frostbite to set in below the knee.

Can anyone help provide some evidence and/or resolution to this?

Cheers

Philip

[Chas]

Hello Philip,

Long time, no hear! Hope you are keeping well.

I don't think either one of your suggestions is totally accurate. The trenches were below ground and were wet (or at least damp, all the time. Everybody got trench foot. Coupled with that were the putties that were tied too tight, restricting circulation. One of the most prized possessions was a second pair of socks that could be dried out and then worn.

Amputations, due to icicles, I don't really see it. Due to frostbite, because of poor circulation - that is easy to believe. But then we are back to trench foot again.

I do know that when gas was used as a weapon, wearing a kilt was a severe disadvantage, due to the amount of exposed skin. The army issued a type of canvas underpants that the troops called trench bloomers. They tied off, just above the knee to stop the effects of gas on naked skin.

I believe that WW I was the last of the battles fought in a kilt as it was found not to be conducive with modern warfare.

Regards

Chas

[Jock Scot]

I do remember reading reports from the Crimean War(in some ways quite similar to WW1, but without the gas, barbed wire and Maxim guns)where the general opinion was that the kilted Regiments fared, healthwise, rather better than those wearing trousers. As you may know, the Crimea was the epitomy of incompetence as far as the general health welfare of the British Army.

The last time the kilt was officially worn in action was by the Cameron Highlanders in France in 1940. One kilt, with battle scars, is to be seen at the Cameron museum at Achnacarry.

[Chas]

The last time the kilt was officially worn in action was by the Cameron Highlanders in France in 1940. One kilt, with battle scars, is to be seen at the Cameron museum at Achnacarry.

I stand corrected. I thought that there had been a lot of standardisation in the 20s and that the kilt was one of the casualties of front line use. Like the putties and the restrictive webbing.

Regards

Chas

[jfraser]

My grandfather who was brought up in a kilt wearing and piping family, saw action in both World Wars in a Highland Regiment and was kilted in France during part of the First World War. I will relate some of his opinion as told to me. According to him, the low lands of France during the First World War and in the winter particularly were not a place for the kilt, the exceedingly wet and unsatisfactory environment played havoc with its normal function.

Problems mentioned by him were the hem getting caught in barbed wire and protruding objects, mud from the fields and from the side of the trenches collecting on the kilt, difficulty drying it (lack of wind, not as in Scotland) and flees breading in the pleats. The worst part was in the winter when the kilt was perpetually wet often caked with mud causing it to be weighted down to such an extent that even its length seemed to grow and the kilt would not sit as it should.

The theory is a kilt of the proper weight and correct length would normally allow the water to drain off, but a longer heavier kilt with the hem caked in mud became a cutting object. When moving/running about it caused chaffing and cuts where it contacted the back of the leg, this at times led to a medical problem called phlebitis. Of course, gone untreated, could easily have led to more serious problems.

In contrast, in Scotland at that time it was not uncommon for some men on the hill to have a shorter kilt as much as 2 – 3 inches above the knee to alleviate problems associated with a wrong length kilt.

I digress slightly here, but to me, there is a purpose for the designated “correct” length of kilt as has been stated repeatedly, by at least one member on this site. Kilt length is not just a fashion fad, but something that is born out of practical function as I hope is illustrated above.

[jfraser]

Spelling mistakes should be "fleas breeding" not flees breading. Sorry

[georgeetta]

hello,

2 Uncles In Gordons WW1 David and Tommy, Tommy had his hand damaged .
kilts were very heavy, my Unlce took over a load for a pipe band after WW2 whether they were real old I don't know .
I saw a picture and the men were given some kind of gadget to keep them warmer ..and there was a picture of them putting on ..I think they were like waders or some kind of long johns, an officer was there about 8 guys and seemed to be on a slope putting them on ! it could have been for the water as much as the cold .

th
d

[Nervous Jock]

I do remember reading reports from the Crimean War(in some ways quite similar to WW1, but without the gas, barbed wire and Maxim guns)where the general opinion was that the kilted Regiments fared, healthwise, rather better than those wearing trousers. As you may know, the Crimea was the epitomy of incompetence as far as the general health welfare of the British Army.

The last time the kilt was officially worn in action was by the Cameron Highlanders in France in 1940. One kilt, with battle scars, is to be seen at the Cameron museum at Achnacarry.

by any chance?

[georgeetta]

nice tartan,
wearing the kilt opposed to trousers ..wool anything will keep you alive even when wet -jean/cotton'll killt you ! Wool can even feel warm when wet far as socks up . Walking wise trousers/pants "pull" on you over course of a day at end you feel the fatigue . Trenchfoot is just fact of wet feet, standing in a water filled trench or -not walking slow circulation lead to cold and amputations . I heard of somebody with mustard gas ..I'll my Uncle his father was a blacksmith in WW1 ..maybe my Auntie will mind what her Dad said . Barring that I'll ask Uncle ..
ROSS RIFLE Canadina longarm disasterously malfunctioned due to tight machining tolerances though ingenious many poor men lost their lives and were seen apparently trying to pogo stick their actions open welded shut by dirt and maybe rust .
1 in 3 men in Scotland died in WW1 -"lest we forget" .
th
d

[Jock Scot]

Could be, although I seem to recall some fist sized damage around the waist area at the side, but perhaps it is just out of view.