The Highland Subaltern

[Troglodyte]

For some time I had in my collection, a Highland Light Infantry kilt that had never been issued, containing a dated maker's label from 1936 - shortly after the HLI had been put back into the kilt.

This kilt had only two buckle fastenings - both on the right side. The inner-apron was held in place by the tension of the outer-apron, but wearing experience shows it was a reliable method and the under-apron never moved. The HLI wore Mackenzie tartan and pleated to the white stripe.

I cannot post pictures, as I no longer have the kilt - I passed it onto a Mackenzie friend a few years ago - but the material was very thick, heavy and densely-woven. I wold say it is the same weight and weave of cloth as a Black Watch kilt I still have, that has the more normal three straps - one on the left, and two on the right.

My father's uncles who served in kilted regiments during the Great War used to talk of the advantages of the kilt in trench warfare. The could be up to their knees in water and mud without much trouble, while those men in puttees and trousers found their leg-ware acted like a wick and drew up the water to a high level. And when on the march, or passing deeper sections of mud and water, the Highlanders would lift their kilt, or even take if off and carry it draped around their shoulders cloaklike to keep it dry. That must have been a sight to behold..!

[jf42]

My father's uncles who served in kilted regiments during the Great War used to talk of the advantages of the kilt in trench warfare. The could be up to their knees in water and mud without much trouble, while those men in puttees and trousers found their leg-ware acted like a wick and drew up the water to a high level. And when on the march, or passing deeper sections of mud and water, the Highlanders would lift their kilt, or even take if off and carry it draped around their shoulders cloaklike to keep it dry. That must have been a sight to behold..!

I believe there were problems, however, particuarly in freezing conditions, when hardened mud caked on the hem of the kilt would abrade the back of soldiers' legs.

[ThistleDown]

Yes, quite likely. As a young student in the 50s, even the wet of the kilt or short trousers hem was a problem for us, but nothing like the cold, clinging, clammy, scraaaatchy of tweed! One of my friends wrapped a bit of cotton around his knee and said that did the trick. Never tried it, myself.

[Jock Scot]

Yes, quite likely. As a young student in the 50s, even the wet of the kilt or short trousers hem was a problem for us, but nothing like the cold, clinging, clammy, scraaaatchy of tweed! One of my friends wrapped a bit of cotton around his knee and said that did the trick. Never tried it, myself.

Once endured, never forgotten! Which is why most country sportsmen wear plus 4’s out on the hill. Well, that and the ticks, midgies and horse flies too.

[Recon1342]

Once endured, never forgotten! Which is why most country sportsmen wear plus 4’s out on the hill. Well, that and the ticks, midgies and horse flies too.

I apologize, but “plus 4”? What does that mean?

[Pleater]

I apologize, but “plus 4”? What does that mean?

Basically, britches - short trousers which are gathered into a cuff at the knee.
The plus 4 means that they are 4 inches longer than the actual measurement to the knee and they are a fairly loose fit which makes them the ideal choice for activities where there is a lot of bending, stooping, leaping or creeping about.
Other options were plus 2, 6 or even 8s, but the plus 4 seems to have stood the test of time.

Anne the Pleater

[Jock Scot]

I apologize, but “plus 4”? What does that mean?

No need to apologise my dear chap. If you don't know, then you do what any sensible person does and asks.

Anne the Pleater has answered your question perfectly.

Plus 4's being worn, left of centre and by the people leading the ponies.

click to enlarge.

[jf42]

Colonel David Stewart of Garth, renowned compiler of Highland lore,
recounted in his 1822 magnum opus Sketches of the Highlanders that during the miserable campaign on the Waal in the winter of 1794-95- "the 42nd were remarkably healthy; for, from the landing at Ostend in June, till the embarcation in April, the deaths in battle and by sickness had been only twenty-five- a small number, considering the length of the service, the fatigue they underwent, and the severity of the weather to which they had been exposed." (Sketches I, Part III, Section VIII).

This was, according to Col. Stewart, the healthy effects of wearing the philabeg.

"Indeed, where sickness has prevailed among Highland soldiers, it has in general been occasioned less by fatigue, privations, or exposure to cold, than from the nature of the provisions, particular animal food, and from clothing unnecessarily warm. In the march through Holland and Westphalia in 1794 and 1795, when the cold was so intense that brandy froze in bottles, the Highlanders, consisting of the the 78th, 79th, and the new recruits of the 42d, (very young soldiers), wore their kilts, and yet the loss was by all comparison less than that sustained by some other corps." (Sketches II, 246)

Painful it is to record, however, that Stewart might have been gilding the lily, somewhat since from the journal of an anonymous officer with the army in 1794-95 we learn that:
"14th December....The highlanders, at this time, from the severity of the weather, were under the necessity of leaving off wearing their kelts, or short petticoats, and were furnished with pantaloons or close trousers which were much more comfortable for them; The French had distinguished them by the name of “Vrai Sans-Culottes."

[neloon]

My father's uncles who served in kilted regiments during the Great War used to talk of the advantages of the kilt in trench warfare.

As I mentioned above, my father was in the Gordons in WW1. At Cambrai in 1917, the Seaforths gave way and the Germans got behind the British line. Nothing for it but to run off down the trench. But on one side was a machine gunner on the other a flammerwerfer (flame thrower) - my father got the flammerwerfer. He was able to keep running, whipping off his blazing kilt. (No "short drawers" as stated in the OP video.) He was in hospital for a year, lying in a water bath until the burns healed - no antibiotics in those days. So the kilt had its good points - if he had been wearing breeks, I would not be here to tell you about it!

Alan

[Troglodyte]

Yes, the sawing of the selvedge at the back of the legs has long been a problem - a young Queen Victoria is recorded as being concerned about the raw skin at the back of the legs of a body of Highlanders she was reviewing, and requested measures were taken.

Kilted soldiers were particularly vulnerable to gas attacks also - the gas burning any bare skin. One solution was to issue the men with women's silk bloomers, which was taken by the men in a way that can be easily imagined!

For anyone unfamiliar with the book, I can reccommend 'Last Man Standing' by Norman Collins which are the memoirs of a Seaforth Highlander. A fascinating account of Collins' memories, his personal diaries and his own photographs that preserve in detail day-to-day life of a Highlander in the Great War. He ran away from home to join-up, and lived to be more than 100 years old.

I understand that British troops going up the line would usually do so quietly and unobtrusively, but I remember as a young boy being told by one of my father's uncles of his battalion forming up behind the pipes and drums, and goning in whilst making a din. Their intention was to let the Germans opposite know exactly who were facing them.

Sadly, my father and his uncles are no longer living, and they served in different regiments, including the Seaforths, but I have a vague idea the noisy ones may have been the London Scottish. Has anyone elso heard of such..?