Kilt & pith helmet - Royal Military College of Canada

[ronstew]

Here is a photo of the cadet offficer in charge of the parade marking the change of comand of The Royal Military College of Canada last week. On parade at RMC, the pipers wear kilts and Scottish headgear, while cadet officers wear pith helmets. At this time of year, most of the cadets are away on summer training, so I suppose this is an unusual order of dress.



RMC is Canada's equivalent of Sandhurst or West Point. Even before the army, navy and air force were almagamated, RMC served all of the services. In my day, there was also a military college in Victoria. The new commandant of RMC, Commodore Bill Truelove, was a classmate of mine at that school. I am very proud of Bill. I wish that I had been able to attend the change of command ceremony.

[Panache]

That is a great picture!

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Bigkahuna]

Is he carrying a cavalry sword?????

[Jock Scot]

Is he carrying a cavalry sword?????

I would say so.

[ronstew]

Is he carrying a cavalry sword?????

Dunno. Why would it be shocking? RMC is a multi-service college. Everybody wears the same uniform. The cadet in the picture may or may not be in a Highland reserve regiment (probably isn't). The scarlet uniform is for the most formal of events. Since his tunic is kilt-cut, he cannot wear trousers with it.

(A few years ago, they tried separating the uniforms of the three branches. To the surprise of nobody but the top brass, this led to an realignment of loyalties among the cadets. They are in the process of returning to uniform uniforms for cadets at the college.)

[Jock Scot]

Well OK, you chaps over there do DO your own thing, but a basket hilt infantry sword would be more appropriate, with the kilt, over here.

[Bigkahuna]

I don't think even the Scots Greys carry cavalry swords when kilted, but then, many mounted troops did use baskethilted swords.

[macwilkin]

Dunno. Why would it be shocking? RMC is a multi-service college. Everybody wears the same uniform. The cadet in the picture may or may not be in a Highland reserve regiment (probably isn't). The scarlet uniform is for the most formal of events. Since his tunic is kilt-cut, he cannot wear trousers with it.

(A few years ago, they tried separating the uniforms of the three branches. To the surprise of nobody but the top brass, this led to an realignment of loyalties among the cadets. They are in the process of returning to uniform uniforms for cadets at the college.)

Well OK, you chaps over there do DO your own thing, but a basket hilt infantry sword would be more appropriate, with the kilt, over here.

Jock,

As Ron mentioned above, this may be an issue of Canadian Army regulations and not of individual taste -- and it probably should be pointed out that officers of the Cameronians did use a Basket-hilt sword, but a Rifle Officers pattern sword, as they were The Scottish Rifles.

T.

[ronstew]

It is a matter of the supply of swords at the college. That's what the cadets officers carry. Again, normally the kilts are only in the pipe band.

[Jock Scot]

Jock,

As Ron mentioned above, this may be an issue of Canadian Army regulations and not of individual taste -- and it probably should be pointed out that officers of the Cameronians did use a Basket-hilt sword, but a Rifle Officers pattern sword, as they were The Scottish Rifles.

T.

Well maybe, but it still looks like a 1908/12 pattern cavalry sword to me.