Bill Millins Kilt

[Kilted Karl]

Hail the Rabble,

I am interested in making a replica of the kilt that Bill Millin wore during the D-Day landing. The kilt would also serve the double purpose of starting my WWI highland impression as the kilt that Millin wore was the same Cameron kilt that his father wore during the Great War. I know that the tartan was Cameron of Erracht.

Does anyone have any advice or cautionary remarks before I forge into this. I am still in the research stage right now. Any comments would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

:ootd: Karl

[Father Bill]

Interesting project. I'll stay tuned!

[artificer]

Hail the Rabble,

I am interested in making a replica of the kilt that Bill Millin wore during the D-Day landing...

Does anyone have any advice or cautionary remarks before I forge into this.

:ootd: Karl

Apart from making sure that it can accommodate a brass pair the size of Morris Minis I've got not advice.

ith:

[OC Richard]

Military kilts are different from civilian kilts in a number of ways:

1) the fabric: Other Ranks' kilts were made from very heavy (22oz) cloth with a very large sett size and a surface feel quite distinct from ordinary worsted kilting cloth; the surface has a fuzzy or felted feel more akin to a blanket or travel rug.

2) the rise and length: Military kilts usually had a very high "rise" meaning that they were high-waisted, coming up to the ribs. The total length of military kilts used to be 27" regardless of the height of the man the kilt was issued to.

3) the binding: Military kilts invariably had grass-green (light green) binding, the binding being narrow worsted tape woven in a herringbone pattern, as opposed to the tartan binding seen on civilian kilts.

4) the buckles: Black two-prong buckles (civilian kilts use chrome single-prong buckles)

5) fringe: Military kilts usually lack fringe to the apron.

6) pleating: Three of the five traditional kilted Highland regiments had boxpleated kilts: The Cameron Highlanders, The Seaforth Highlanders, and The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. (Only The Black Watch and The Gordon Highlanders wore knifepleated kilts.)

Here's a photo showing how Cameron Highlanders kilts were pleated



Now this is a Black Watch kilt, thus a different tartan and knifepleated, but nevertheless a clear view of the straps and buckles, grass-green binding, and the high waist seen on Army kilts. Your kilt should have the same binding, straps and buckles, and high waist



Photos of military men wearing their kilts sans jacket are rare, but here is a Gordon Highlander clearly showing just how high these kilts were worn

[Father Bill]

You clearly know your "stuff" Richard. As Mr. Spock would say, "Fascinating!"

[rsvpiper]

Sorry Richard but i shall have to contradict you about pleating, I have an OR's Seaforth kilt i think it dates from the early 50's and that has knife pleats. I could be that the TA/reserve battalions had knife pleats rather than box pleats?

[Arnot]

Sorry Richard but i shall have to contradict you about pleating, I have an OR's Seaforth kilt i think it dates from the early 50's and that has knife pleats. I could be that the TA/reserve battalions had knife pleats rather than box pleats?

Is it possible that what you have is actually a Highland Light Infantry kilt? The HLI kilts were the same tartan, but were knife pleated and the apron was centered differently (as shown below). As it happens, I have a Seaforth's kilt which is as OC Richard describes.

[figheadair]

Sorry Richard but i shall have to contradict you about pleating, I have an OR's Seaforth kilt i think it dates from the early 50's and that has knife pleats. I could be that the TA/reserve battalions had knife pleats rather than box pleats?

No, not the TA Bn, it was just a phase that they went through, probably because it was cheaper/easier to make rather than the box-knife.

Another error in the original list was the BW whose kilts were barrel pleated not knife although as above, there was a period when the regiment wore knife pleats.

[OC Richard]

the BW whose kilts were barrel pleated not knife although as above, there was a period when the regiment wore knife pleats.

This "barrel pleat" subject has been visited before, and I'm waiting to see a photo of a member of The Black Watch wearing such. I have seen, handled, and worn a number of Black Watch kilts from various periods all having knife pleats, and I have a pile of photos showing serving members of The Black Watch appearing to show ordinary knife pleats (though it's often difficult to see the precise pleating due to the dark tartan). As far as I know (and I gladly welcome photos proving me wrong) The Black Watch wore knifepleated kilts from at least 1881 to the creation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The rear of a typical Black Watch kilt



the rear of a typical Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders kilt (typical save for the black binding)



The only kilts I've seen where the pleats could be described as "barrels" are boxpleated kilts (Argylls, Camerons, or Seaforths) which haven't been pressed in a very long time, where the pleats have lost their crisp edges. I've not seen a kilt looking like that being worn by a serving member of a Scottish regiment, though. Their kilts usually seem to have been pressed.

All of this is offtopic anyhow, the topic being Cameron Highlanders kilts.

[seanachie]

I am personally interested in the initial subject of this thread. I, too, have great admiration for Bill Millin and interested in the advice, and decisions the OP makes on this. I had contemplated a similar idea at the time of this hero's death. Please keep updates on this project coming.