Thoughts??

**puddlemuddle** · 26th January 09, 08:02 AM

Ok,
So as Iam sure some of you are aware that I am really into my family history (as I am sure we are all here) especially that of my two great uncles who served WWI.
So I have aquired an original metal shoulder title like that in my avatar. What I am wanting to do is to mold it (my family owns a jewlery store and can do this for me) and have a pair of them made slightly smaller and in silver (or a white metal) to match the rest of the buttons on my argyll jacket, and where them on the epaulettes, as a tribute. I would go with the Cap badge that I wear.
The question is...would this be too flashy. I would be wearing them when I play the pipes, so in a way it would be part of a uniform, but I would also be wearing them to Semi-formal events as well.

On a similer note, I also wear REPRODUCTIONS of both the WWI Victory medal and British War Medal that both of my uncles were awarded, once again in memory of them.

Cheers,
Chad

**george7** · 26th January 09, 08:05 AM

That seems alright.

**macwilkin** · 26th January 09, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by puddlemuddle

Ok,
So as Iam sure some of you are aware that I am really into my family history (as I am sure we are all here) especially that of my two great uncles who served WWI.
So I have aquired an original metal shoulder title like that in my avatar. What I am wanting to do is to mold it (my family owns a jewlery store and can do this for me) and have a pair of them made slightly smaller and in silver (or a white metal) to match the rest of the buttons on my argyll jacket, and where them on the epaulettes, as a tribute. I would go with the Cap badge that I wear.
The question is...would this be too flashy. I would be wearing them when I play the pipes, so in a way it would be part of a uniform, but I would also be wearing them to Semi-formal events as well.

On a similer note, I also wear REPRODUCTIONS of both the WWI Victory medal and British War Medal that both of my uncles were awarded, once again in memory of them.

Cheers,
Chad

Chad,

It would be a bit "over the top" (no pun intended) INMHO, as shoulder titles are a part of uniform kit, and not designed to be worn on mufti. Now, if you were trying to re-create the uniform your uncles wore in WWI for living history/reenacting purposes, then I could see it -- but you obviously wouldn't wear an Argyll jacket for that purpose.

In terms of the medals, remember that in Commonwealth countries, the custom is that family members wear their relatives medals on the right breast and only on certain occasions such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.

Regards,

Todd

**puddlemuddle** · 26th January 09, 08:12 AM

Todd,
I do wear them on the right side only, as I was always tought the the left was for medals that were actually "earned", and the left was the "tribute" side. I only wear the medals when I am playing the pipes, or for special occasions, not for everyday wear as would the titles be also.
Cheers,
Chad

**ccga3359** · 26th January 09, 08:13 AM

I think it too much, and too close to uniform look that is not earned by yourself. Instead perhaps cast a slightly larger one for use as a kilt pin in honour. Of note if you know thier service numbers you can download their service records from National Archives at Kew Gardens. There is something like a $5 service charge for a pdf copy of the original. Either one might have received the 1914/15 Star.

**puddlemuddle** · 26th January 09, 08:22 AM

Grant,
Thanks for that, I have already downloaded both of their service records from ancestry.com. They both went over in 1917, one was demobbed in 1921 and the other was transfered back home and into the Military Foot Police after being shot in the forearm, and was discharged as "no longer fit for military service" in 1919. He was awarded the Silver War Badge for his wound, and one wound stripe.
Cheers,
Chad

**davidlpope** · 26th January 09, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by puddlemuddle

What I am wanting to do is to mold it (my family owns a jewlery store and can do this for me) and have a pair of them made slightly smaller and in silver (or a white metal) to match the rest of the buttons on my argyll jacket, and where them on the epaulettes, as a tribute. I would go with the Cap badge that I wear.

On a similer note, I also wear REPRODUCTIONS of both the WWI Victory medal and British War Medal that both of my uncles were awarded, once again in memory of them.

Chad,
First a disclaimer. I am an American and have no firsthand exposure to the customs regarding British military items. That being said, I am currently on active duty as a Marine and have given this some thought. Please take this as my musings in a constructive manner. it is not intended to give offense.

I think that wearing these insignia as you have described would be problematic. You would be mixing military and civilian dress and, respectfully, your link to your great-uncles is more distant than, for example, to a father or grandfather. So, I think that wearing military insignia to which you have no direct connection would likely lead to many embarrassing situations where you would have to explain both the peculiar manner of wearing these items and your reason for wearing them.

In my opinion, official uniform items should not be worn while in civilian clothing unless authorized by uniform regulations. That's why the USMC cap badge that I wear on my balmoral is a commercially produced "strap and buckle" style badge, vice an actual USMC officer's EGA insignia from my uniform. I'm not sure what the convention is in Scotland. Likewise, I only wear miniature medals (mine) that are authorized on civilian (Highland) clothing. I think the convention in Scotland is different for official veterans' observances.

Since you have the wonderful resource of a jewelry business int he family, why not cast some cuff-links to wear with French-cuffed shirts. That would be understated, classy, and shouldn't give offense where it is not intended.

Cordially,

David

**puddlemuddle** · 26th January 09, 08:46 AM

David,
I can see your point exactly, and as someone who respects and honors everyone and anyone who has ever served our country,I would not ever want to do soemthing to DIShonor them. The only reason I was thinking of this is mainly because the insignia is no longer valid today, as opposed to the EGA which has been virtualy unchanged (I believe) since its conception. Same way with the medals, they are not "Valor" medals which I would never wear regardless, and are more historical wit ha family connection, however, I had thought about the miniatures versus the full sized as they would be a little more understated. Maybe instead of on the epaulettes, I amy just have one cast and wear as a lapel badge, or perhaps as a kilt pin as mentioned before.
Cheers everyone!
Chad

**David Dubh** · 26th January 09, 09:08 PM

I think that the kilt pin idea is fantastic. It honours them and being a kilted regiment in WWI the kilt pin would be an ideal symbol of respect and remebrance.
Lest we forget

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 27th January 09, 10:37 AM

I'm pretty much in total agreement with David Pope on this (see his post, above). That said, let me suggest that you get a couple of yards of the medal ribbons and attach those to your pipes. That way you are not mixing military medals with civilian clothing, and few, if any, would object to ribbons on your pipes.