Dress Sporran

[Moosehead]

Geez, stir, stir, stir...

Just a note with regards to how British Officers aquired their gear, and still do in most cases. They are required to buy them. My point? Crap, I'm not really sure.

It belongs to you, plain and simple. On the other hand, I know what I would do. The history of it's original owner is just too great to overlook, in my humble opinion.

Bloody hell, is there a dog around I can kick? Maybe I'll pull the wings off a June Bug or something. I'm just really on a roll today, aren't I.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Geez, stir, stir, stir...

Just a note with regards to how British Officers aquired their gear, and still do in most cases. They are required to buy them. My point? Crap, I'm not really sure.

It belongs to you, plain and simple. On the other hand, I know what I would do. The history of it's original owner is just too great to overlook, in my humble opinion.

Bloody hell, is there a dog around I can kick? Maybe I'll pull the wings off a June Bug or something. I'm just really on a roll today, aren't I.

Moosehead, thanks! You expressed the same feelings I had. Its not a simple black and white answer.

[bubba]

All things considered it would be a lovely gesture if it could be returned to the family, but I'm not sure how easy that would be. I know my Uncle did that with a Japanese sword he got on Guadalcanal and the hunt for the proper person cost him quite a bit of money and effort. Next best might be donate it to the Regimental museum where it would be cared for and displayed. Since there's no family connection to the original owner or the Regiment I wouldn't wear it. Just my opinion mind you.

[Moosehead]

Since there's no family connection to the original owner or the Regiment I wouldn't wear it.

Actually, I think that is the major factor in wearing it or not.

It isn't my right to say what can or cannot be done in this matter. All I know is what my personal sense of honour would demand in a similar circumstance. The sporran belonged to the first casualty of this fine Regiment of the British Army in WW1. Many, especially in North America, might not understand who and what the Territorials are. In essence, they are in all respects a family. Generations of the same family serve in the same Territorial Regiments. Not necessarily a good thing, but a fact.

Moosehead, thanks! You expressed the same feelings I had. Its not a simple black and white answer.

I can only speak for myself here, I want to make this clear. To me, and maybe me alone, it is black and white. The only thought that crosses my mind is how the original owner's family would feel. Yes, the family may be hard to track down...for an individual. But easy for the Regimental Association or the regimental Museum.

In Canada, there have been several cases in recent years of collectors selling the medals of Canadian Veterans, many of them VC winners. There is no Canadian law forbidding the selling of a real VC. My understanding of US Law, is that the sale of a real MOH is illegal. We need the same type of law.

Flight Lieutenant (Captain) S.P. Relton
CAF(ret'd), RAF (ret'd)
Sinai 86, Kuwait/Iraq 90-91, Former Yugoslavia 94 and 96(UNPROFOR & SFOR)

[mrpharr]

mrpharr, been reading this post with great interest. My 2 cents are worth exactly what you pay for them, but here they are. If your grandfather was a member of the Liverpool Scottish and this were his sporran, I would whole heartedly endorse wearing it as a sign of your family, tradition, and heritage. I can think of no finer tribute. If however, your family came to own the sporran through some means other than inheritance or other transition of family ownership, then it does not represent your family and heritage and I would get a sporran that does, either new or from another family member. In that case you would need to decide what to do with this sporran. It might then be nothing other than a valuable historic artifact that you could sell or donate. The choice would be yours.

Not trying to stir the pot here, just providing my perspective. Congratulations on the impending nuptials!

Stir away. I think it makes great debate. I am enjoying the banter.

[macwilkin]

I can only speak for myself here, I want to make this clear. To me, and maybe me alone, it is black and white. The only thought that crosses my mind is how the original owner's family would feel. Yes, the family may be hard to track down...for an individual. But easy for the Regimental Association or the regimental Museum.

Same here, Moosehead. The Regimental Museum certainly would be the best folks to track down family members, since they are "on the ground" and would have direct access to other resources, like genealogical records. However, there is always the possibility that there may not be a direct family line left -- even more reason to pass the sporran on to the Regimental Museum, to preserve the memory of Captain Twentyman.

Regards,

Todd

[macwilkin]

BTW, as an aside, another famous member of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment in the First World War was this gentleman:



That's Basil Rathbone, aka "Sherlock Holmes". Rathbone was an Intelligence Officer for the regiment, and was awarded the Military Cross for outstanding bravery. Reportedly he disguised himself (and I'm not making this up) as a tree to scout the German trenches and gather intelligence.

Regards,

Todd

[Rex_Tremende]

BTW, as an aside, another famous member of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment in the First World War was this gentleman[,...]Basil Rathbone, aka "Sherlock Holmes".

Neat photo! Thanks for posting that.

I note: no sporran, length of jacket, and position of the kilt pin.

Rex.

[Moosehead]

and the nifty spats.