Advice from servicemen and women?

[Arlen]

While I was only ever in the Army Cadets as a teenager, I have the greatest respect for those who have served.
My Grandfather served in the Cameronians during WWII and had to lead his men out of the Burmese jungle after they were trapped there with no supplies.
His brother served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and his body was riddled with shrapnel after a tank he was in exploded.
My Grandfather lived until I was 13, but I still remember him with fondness and respect. My great-uncle (His brother) lived until a few months ago when he died from cancer.
My uncle served with the British Navy but bought himself out when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He then served for about 6 years with the REME like my great-uncle.
He also died of cancer a few years ago and far too young.

For some time now I've wanted to honour these brave men and the memories and morals they all left me with.
What I'm looking for is a few ideas of a kilt outfit to do this.

At first the Cameronians didn't wear a tartan. In 1881 they adopted the Black Watch, and in 1891 changed to the Douglas tartan to reflect their early links with the Douglas clan.

So here's what I'm thinking of:
A Douglas kilt pleated to the stripe as per regimental standards with either Cameronian Belt buckle and cap badge and REME kilt pin, or a Black Watch kilt pleated to stripe with all Cameronian pins, badges and buckles.

My worry is that those who have served may take offence to my wearing any of this insignia at all.
I do have my cadets badge which is quite different from the official insignia, and would proudly wear that if anyone who had served preferred that.

What do you all think? Would I be overstepping my bounds in honouring my family this way?

For those interested parties, here are links to the following...

Douglas tartan as worn by the Cameronians

The Cameronians cap badge

A REME (Scottish) badge

And, to end, a picture of my Grandfather, William Donald, and the 9th Batallion Cameronians in (We think) 1944/45. (He's the officer on the far right of the picture.)






Thank you to you all for your input and your service.

[ccga3359]

Arlen go with the Douglas tartan. Wear it with pride and if anyone has something to say, tell them why you're wearing it.

[macwilkin]

Arlen,

Why not go straight to the source, as it were, and contact these folks:

http://www.cameronians.org/index.html

No doubt they can put you in touch with some former Cameronians who might be willing to answer your question.

Personally, if it were me, I would most certainly wear the Douglas tartan, but I would wear your cadet badge, that way you are making a link between your grandfather's service and your experiences as a cadet? Just an idea.

Lastly, let me just say that I tip my bonnet to you for wanting to honour your relatives service. My grandfather served with the American forces (US Army Air Corps) in the China-Burma-India Theatre, and he spoke of the British Commonwealth forces with nothing but great respect & admiration. The Burma Campaign is one story from WWII that is sadly forgotten; If you want to read one of the best books on British forces in Burma, I would highly recommend George MacDonald Fraser's Quartered Safe Out Here. It is one of the best WWII books I have ever read. Fraser, a Scot, served with the Border Regiment in Burma, and later served with the Gordons.

Good on ya.

Todd

[BEEDEE]

Arlen - as someone who served some time with the Royal Green Jackets back in the 1960s I found that the Light Infantry and Rifle Regiments have a special espirit d'corps developed from their historical associations. But times have changed and given that the British Government has seen fit to disband the Cameronians I see no problem with your use of the Douglas tartan to honor your family. My only suggestion is that you might want to think about using the Cameronian's badge as the kilt pin to link the regiment with the tartan and use the REME badge for the kilt buckle.

Brian

[scoutniagara]

I totally agree with BEEDEE.

"The Cameronians did not wear tartan until 1881 when, in common with other Lowland regiments, they adopted the Government, or Black Watch, tartan. It was only in 1891 that the regiment was authorised to wear the Douglas tartan, which was taken into use the following year. The use of the Douglas tartan reflects the origins of the 26th Cameronian Regiment. In 1881, when the regiment was designated a rifle regiment, the officers and men were clothed in the distinctive Rifle Green cloth with bands of black thistle lace on the shako and black cords. The pipers of the regiment also wore the Douglas tartan."

[Sean_the_Kilted]

As an US Army Officer, my opinion is that as long as you wear it with respect I see no problem with wearing it. Most people won't know the significance of the tartan or the military insignias and the ones that do will most likely be impressed or honored. While not necessary, you should include your army cadet insignia or something from your grandfather in your outfit, along with the other insignias, to make it personal.

[Arlen]

Arlen go with the Douglas tartan. Wear it with pride and if anyone has something to say, tell them why you're wearing it.

Thanks.
It seems like most of the people on here are supportive of the idea, so |i think I'll do that.

[Arlen]

Arlen,
Lastly, let me just say that I tip my bonnet to you for wanting to honour your relatives service. My grandfather served with the American forces (US Army Air Corps) in the China-Burma-India Theatre, and he spoke of the British Commonwealth forces with nothing but great respect & admiration. The Burma Campaign is one story from WWII that is sadly forgotten; If you want to read one of the best books on British forces in Burma, I would highly recommend George MacDonald Fraser's Quartered Safe Out Here. It is one of the best WWII books I have ever read. Fraser, a Scot, served with the Border Regiment in Burma, and later served with the Gordons.

Good on ya.

Todd

Thank you for the advice.
I think I'll be wearing the Gordon tartan with my cadet badge as a kilt pin and the Cameronians cap badge on my Glengarry and a REME belt buckle.

Thanks to your advice I've just ordered a copy of that on Amazon. I've read all the Flashman books and loved the sarcasm in them, so I think this'll be a good serious work.

[Arlen]

Arlen - as someone who served some time with the Royal Green Jackets back in the 1960s I found that the Light Infantry and Rifle Regiments have a special espirit d'corps developed from their historical associations. But times have changed and given that the British Government has seen fit to disband the Cameronians I see no problem with your use of the Douglas tartan to honor your family. My only suggestion is that you might want to think about using the Cameronian's badge as the kilt pin to link the regiment with the tartan and use the REME badge for the kilt buckle.

Brian

Thanks Brian. I think I'm definately going to do this. We grew up with so many stories of what my family did during WWII but they never once complained about any of it. I think they deserve to have us remember.

[Arlen]

As an US Army Officer, my opinion is that as long as you wear it with respect I see no problem with wearing it. Most people won't know the significance of the tartan or the military insignias and the ones that do will most likely be impressed or honored. While not necessary, you should include your army cadet insignia or something from your grandfather in your outfit, along with the other insignias, to make it personal.

Thank you. I've contacted my aunt to see if she still has any of my Granda's old insignia. I know she has his medals.
Hopefully I'll be able to put together something to show my pride and gratitude.