1915 pic

[macwilkin]

That would be your monitor, sorry.

There's not a lot of detail but enough to rule out Gordons, Camerons and McKenzies, all of which have distinctive light stripes. It looks darker than Erskines or Royal Stewart.

I'm not sure but I think only Black Watch is left. Maybe there's two more I can't think of right now but that will be answered very quickly, I'm sure.

Also the fact that the postcard was addressed to relatives in Perthshire, which as I mentioned in a previous post, was one of the "home counties" of the RHR.

T.

[macwilkin]

Very difficult to tell from B/W photos from this period in respect to the Gordon tartan as the yellow strip tended to be lost to the eye, though it looks to me either Black Watch or Argyll & Sutherland.
Looking closer at the the top of the kilt it looks as though he as a a non issue belt and the White Kilt lining is showing.
Full lengh puttees were worn at this period of the war with the short puttee's and hose being introduced over time., Hose were footless to reduce wear, an ordinary sock worn underneath for comfort, Diced hose in todays Highland Regiment are still footless, the price of hose bein very expensive.
I think I read somewhere that the Black Watch were the last Highland Regiment to phase out the long puttee during the Great War

Regards
Cef

I wonder if it might be a variant on the "hate belt" that some Tommies used to display captured German insignia and/or traded badges?

T.

[ccga3359]

Also the fact that the postcard was addressed to relatives in Perthshire, which as I mentioned in a previous post, was one of the "home counties" of the RHR.

T.

Investigating can be quite invigorating.

[Woodsheal]

Perhaps it is some kind of work detail. However, his shirt throws me off. It doesn't look military although with a collar and a shirt or jacket over it, it would not show. Typically, it would be white but he may have chosen a dark colour knowing it would not stay white. Or some type of chaplain, hmmn?

Issue shirts for the British army in that period were a greyish wool pullover, and were basically underwear. That's what the two lads are wearing. Here's a repro from What Price Glory:

http://www.whatpriceglory.com/pic/Grayback.jpg

[Nick the DSM]

great info guys! i can barely make out the stripes on the first photo but it must be there. the belt i have no idea what it is. maybe its just a leather strap tied together?

[Chase]

Kewl Pic/Postcard...

[Archangel]

Well, the Grayback started a little investigation. Looks like the British had a two button model, the WPG link, and the Australians had a three button version.

The British changed their design in the late '30s.

The one in the picture looks most like the '30s model but several (internet) sources indicated that variation would be possible.

That would be expected, I'm sure I've read of clothing being sent from home in WW1.

[Pleater]

I wear a belt as shown in the 9th message on this thread, with my DPM (AKA camo) kilt - except of course mine has shiny brasswork and the metal pieces which slide over the doubled over parts, are correctly positioned close to the buckle. There are numerous military bases around here, it isn't wise to dis the uniform.

I have had it 40 years - worn it for caving, sailing, hiking - and it is still perfectly sound.

Could the belt in the original postcard have a cloth cover over a metal buckle? It would be sensible to cover a shiny buckle on active service, and if it was to be inspected at intervals, it would save work to keep it protected.

[Nervous Jock]

I wear a belt as shown in the 9th message on this thread, with my DPM (AKA camo) kilt - except of course mine has shiny brasswork and the metal pieces which slide over the doubled over parts, are correctly positioned close to the buckle. There are numerous military bases around here, it isn't wise to dis the uniform.

This is a 37 patern belt I have one the same, I still wear it in rig today althought it raises the odd eyebrow. its a substancial and practical bit of kit.

[James MacMillan]

The things we learn here! Being a stranger to the term puttee, I let my fingers do the poking and have just spent about 20 minutes reading up on the term and use.

Most impressive of the reading was the stories about the Blue Putteess..... Bravery needs no better name!