A MUG wearer in WW1 - in the Royal Navy???

**macwilkin** · 29th December 11, 02:54 PM

Bryan Farwell devotes at least a chapter to Spicer-Simson's actions in East Africa in his The Great War in Africa.

Interestingly, the 4th Battalion of the King's African Rifles wore a solid green kilt at one point in its history, due to the influence of Scottish officers:

http://www.chakoten.dk/cgi-bin/fm.cgi?n=855

And one would be remiss in not mention Col. Colin Campbell "Mad Mitch" Mitchell, who served with the KAR for a time. It is believe that Idi Amin's fascination with all thing Scottish began with his service in the KAR.

T.

**clanciankent** · 29th December 11, 03:26 PM

War can provide opportunities for Aspies,our eccentricities and social faux pas can be overlooked if we get results-Monty is of course a prime example.

Originally Posted by Dale-of-Cedars

Actually, the more I read, the more it seems that he was firmly in the a**h*** spectrum... but it worked out for him.

Here is another picture, taken at the burial of German soldiers, he is on the far right:

Apparently he was referred to by his Belgian allies as "Le Commandant á la Jupe." (Jupe, meaning skirt). See this page for more.

**Bugbear** · 29th December 11, 05:38 PM

Thanks for posting the link and information, cajunscot, it is always appreciated.

The Buzz Kidder khaki kilt I sometimes wear is supposedly inspired by those aprons, as best as I could find out. That's not to claim BZKs are, in any way what so ever, traditional or Scottish.

**chewse** · 29th December 11, 05:56 PM

What a great post! That you. Keep it up!

**CMcG** · 29th December 11, 07:41 PM

Very interesting...

**Alan H** · 29th December 11, 09:44 PM

Excellent thread and a great historical find. Thanks!

**Sir William** · 30th December 11, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

For a world renowned conventional thinking armed services, Britian seems to specialise in non conventional servicemen when needed. Lawrence of Arabia, Mad Jack Churchill, Colonel Stirling, Lord Lovat, [Orde] Wingate, Paddy Mayne just to name a few and this officer is one of a very brave, single minded and unconventional group.

I love reading about these men (Orde Wingate is a particular favorite) - unconventional thinkers (and doers) and frequently eccentric. We've had a few in the US armed forces but they are always viewed as a threat by the conventional thinkers. Consequently, they are usually weeded out rather quickly in their careers, though a few survived long enough to find a war to prove their worth.