Badges, Patches & Pins for Your Tams, Caps, Hats & Kilts

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I asked a Scottish soldier a few years ago what he thought about people wearing regimental badges "in honor of" the regiment, who never actually served. He replied that since all of the various regiments have been amalgamated that after a time no one would be wearing any of these old badges except for those wearing them "in honor of" the old regiment. So he said he liked the idea!

I've heard the opposite opinion expressed, of course. So, as with most things, different strokes....

[macwilkin]

I asked a Scottish soldier a few years ago what he thought about people wearing regimental badges "in honor of" the regiment, who never actually served. He replied that since all of the various regiments have been amalgamated that after a time no one would be wearing any of these old badges except for those wearing them "in honor of" the old regiment. So he said he liked the idea!

I've heard the opposite opinion expressed, of course. So, as with most things, different strokes....

I heard a similar comment from some Black Watch squaddies after their performance in St. Louis, Matt. Their ire was reserved much more for the politicians and generals behind the amalgamations!

T.

[creagdhubh]

I am in agreement with you, Richard. I prefer simplicity with my Highland dress, especially for Highland day attire. I too do not wear a kilt pin, and cringe at the idea of having holes in my expensive kilts. The only pin (brooch) I'll wear is whilst wearing a Balmoral or Glengarry bonnet, and is the crest of my chief (Cluny-Macpherson), encircled by a belt and buckle, bearing the motto of the clan.

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

I heard a similar comment from some Black Watch squaddies after their performance in St. Louis, Matt. Their ire was reserved much more for the politicians and generals behind the amalgamations!

T.

Quite right. Professional piper and St. Louisan, Matt Pantaleoni (you know Matt, Todd!) has been wearing the regimental badge of the Seaforth Highlanders for several years now.

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

I asked a Scottish soldier a few years ago what he thought about people wearing regimental badges "in honor of" the regiment, who never actually served. He replied that since all of the various regiments have been amalgamated that after a time no one would be wearing any of these old badges except for those wearing them "in honor of" the old regiment. So he said he liked the idea!

I've heard the opposite opinion expressed, of course. So, as with most things, different strokes....

I have heard the same response with the wearing of (Scottish) regimental neckties.

Cheers,

[Thomas H]

Ok ,So if we wear a badge of a Scottish group or reg. and not having served.

Do it because you like it and not to say you are apart of the group or reg.

and never in uniform un less a part of a pipe band ,right ?

I was just wondering about the badges because ,I like the look and

would only wear them on a cap or as Brooch.

I would never say something to the affect that I was a part of that group .

But any one could tell I was not a Scottish soilder .

But only to do in fun or to dress up my Highland wear.

[thescot]

Ok ,So if we wear a badge of a Scottish group or reg. and not having served.

Do it because you like it and not to say you are apart of the group or reg.

and never in uniform un less a part of a pipe band ,right ?

I was just wondering about the badges because ,I like the look and

would only wear them on a cap or as Brooch.

I would never say something to the affect that I was a part of that group .

But any one could tell I was not a Scottish soilder .

But only to do in fun or to dress up my Highland wear.

Well, I gotta say that I think it's fine, especially in Villa Rica and its environs. (Come to Conyers Saturday night and wear what you like; no one will think you're in the Cameron Highlanders!)

I have dozens of regimental badges, and I shall continue buying the ones I like, but I don't wear them; they're strctly an art collection to me. The only "regimental" badge I wear--and I wear it quite often--is the "Reserve Batallion" thistle badge since it is very non-military in its appearance:



I've never known anyone who had an inkling that it was an old military badge, but almost everyone associates it with Scotland for obvious reasons. There are also some old Aberdeen Militia badges that I find interesting, and I'm certain that if I wore one, no one would think me old enough to have been in the Aberdeen Militia. At least I hope not.

I suspect that only fans of badges like me would even know it's a old military badge. And the older Cameron badge mentioned above is another example in that there are no Camerons these days and the St Andrew with wreath hardly speaks of military as much as it does Scotland.

I do know that members of military units are quite proud of their respective units--esprit de corps and a' that--but my own experience shows that most are happy for others to honor their own branch of service as long as they don't claim to be vets or disrepect the service.

[thescot]

P.S. I don't much care for the look of a bonnet without a badge, so I always wear something. The thistle shown above lives on my khaki glengarry.

[creagdhubh]

P.S. I don't much care for the look of a bonnet without a badge...

Me either.

[HenryT]

Interesting topic. Some may find this web page interesting from the British Army Rumor Service (ARRSE) concerning what is a WALT:

http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Walts

The bottom of the page has several examples under "well worth a look"

It is sad to read about some famous outed walts such as:
The Baron of Castleshort (nice kilt pics)

http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/The_Baron_of_Castleshort

Of course these are the most extreme examples of pretenders.