Regimental origin?

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

So over drinks after a business meeting Thursday, a co-worker asked "the question", really more as a what does it mean, is it true, not necessarily my own preference. I explained what it meant, that commando was more a US term for the same idea. She asked then asked why? Meaning, what was the historical reason for going regimental? I realized that I had no idea. I have seen/read all of the widely publicized material about mirrors on sticks to check on soldiers in the highlands regiments, but never seen anything regarding why? So does anybody have any theories, historical information, or other information about why to go regimental?

[Archangel]

I'm afraid my best reference for this would be "Carry on, up the Khyber."

First realize that underwear is relatively new as a concept. You'll find account of British soldiers in the 1750's "tipping" colonial women, i.e. turning them upside down to expose them.

Somewhere along the way, it was realized that the legend had a lot of power in a macho martial sense. From there it became a policy. Officially, somebody pointed out in another post, Highland troops were issued undies. Wartime reports indicate that after a few days in the field, regimental was preferable. Perhaps some local grunt can detail what is required, in a modern context, to keeping clean undies. No, maybe not, look up astronaut and see what they have to do and use your imagination.

[Sir Robert]

The fact of the matter is that after a few days underwear gets funky and irritates the legs & crotch area so badly that infantrymen do cut them off and throw them away on long road marches. I suspect that this was true in the past as well.

As for underwear being newfangled and looked down on by tradition minded NCOs well that could be true as well.

[macwilkin]

I suspect that it originates from the original Highland regiments, since Highlanders did not generally wear undergarments before they were recruited into the British Army, and that custom would have followed when the regiments were raised. I'm at work this afternoon, so I do not have access to the library at home to look it up.

Matt?

Cheers,

Todd

[James]

Quite simply the undergarment was in fact the long shirt, so underpants/drawers were not relevant-this has now got itself carried away, and become an issue in it's own right.

Whilst all the nonsense about 'going regimental', only deters people from wearing the kilt. For to be correct on would have to identify the unit and the period.

James

[Kiltedfirepiper]

I donno the origin,but I DO know that the military (United Kingdom) doesnt have a problem with going regimental.....I recall a Pic of a kilted soldier lowering the flag in Hong Kong,and the back of his kilt blew up in the wind to reveal .....well lets just say ALL of Hong Kong knew what was under HIS kilt!

He didnt get in trouble for being regimental.....he got in trouble because his hose were uneven! so there you have it!!