Show us your Vintage Kilt Photos

[Rex_Tremende]

These come by way of The Glasgow Story, an archive of stories and images about - well - Glasgow. Some of these may have been posted at XMTS before, but so far not in this thread. The photos are copyright of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre and Reproduced with the permission of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre.

The 155th Boy Scout Group (1st Glasgow Jewish) at Garnethill Synagogue, c 1930s.

Founded in 1928, the 155th Scout Group was the first Jewish scout group in Glasgow. It began with fifteen members but numbers soon grew and more Jewish scout groups were set up in other parts of the city.

Many of the boys are wearing kilts as part of their uniforms. To the right, one boy holds the company flag featuring the Star of David just visible on it. The flag on the left appears to be the Union Jack.

The Jewish Lads' Brigade Band in the 1930s.

The Jewish Lads' Brigade (JLB) was formed in 1895 in London. The first Glasgow branch was established in 1903 and was particularly active in the Gorbals. By June 1904 there were 125 members and an increasing membership mean that there were soon three groups in operation. The JLB had the same discipline as other youth organisations such as the Boys' Brigade and its members were trained in rifle drill, foot drill, map reading, Morse code and so on. There were also summer camps which enabled the boys to have a holiday away from the city.

One major difference between the JLB and other youth groups was the intention that JLB membership would help the children of immigrants integrate themselves into their new surroundings and learn to be good citizens. Accordingly the Glasgow JLB adopted a number of Scottish traditions including establishing what was claimed to be the world's only all-Jewish pipe band.

The opening of the Jewish Scout Hall in Queen's Drive on Sunday 1 June 1958.

The 93rd Boy Scout Group was formed in 1941 at the Queen's Park Synagogue. After the Second World War there were proposals to set up a second scout group in the area, but they were frustrated due to a shortage of adult helpers. Eventually it was decided to amalgamate the 93rd with the proposed new group and form the 93rd (Norman) Boy Scout Group. The group was named for Norman Markson, an Assistant Cubmaster who had died on active service in the Second World War.

The new scout group met at first at Strathbungo School, but raised funds to build its own scout hall. It opened in 1958 on a site in Queen's Drive provided by Glasgow Corporation.

The scout hall closed in 2002 and in 2004 the building is home to Poppins Kindergarten.

A parade celebrating the opening of the Jewish Scout Hall in Queen's Drive, Sunday 1 June, 1958.

The Jewish community on the South Side of Glasgow had put a great deal of time and effort into raising funds for the 93rd (Norman) Boy Scout Group's new scout hall and organised a great celebration for its opening. Scouts, guides, brownies and cubs took part in the parade. There was also a service at Langside Synagogue in Niddrie Road before the Colour Party and Officiants proceeded to the new hall, followed by the congregation. A mezuzah was affixed to the hall entrance and the hall itself consecrated, before being officially opened. A reception followed, with speeches given on behalf of the Scout Movement, Glasgow Corporation (which had donated the land) and the Parents and Finance Committee.

Jewish servicemen outside South Portland Street Synagogue c 1916.

Around 1,200 Glasgow Jews enlisted in the armed forces during the First World War, of whom eighty-six died in action.

South Portland Street Synagogue opened in 1901 and was the focus of Judaism in the Gorbals.

Regards,
Rex.