The "Red Kilt"

[Muckle Jon]

Greetings:

According to my father at the close of WWI soldiers of the 2nd Btn, 42nd RHR (Black Watch) of Canada were presented with a kilt as part of their separation package.

However, the dye run for some of these kilts was incorrect and therefore the tartan colors were incorrect as well. Because of this, the mustering out soldiers called these kilts "Red Kilts".

Can anyone verify this tale or have additional information about it. I have one of these kilts and wish to donate it or sell it but wanted to find out more about it first.

Thanks

Jon Beatty

[Highland Logan]

I think your info may be off. Take a read of this book. I have placed some of the text below:

"Ii was while doing duty in Scotland, shortly after the
Jacobite rising, that the 42nd Highlanders came to be
called the "Black Watch. The sombre color of their
kilts and the \vork in which they were engaged combined to
give them this nickname, which has clung to this famous regi
ment ever since. The 48th Highlanders of Canada wore a
sombre tartan like the "Black Watch/ interwoven with a
broad red check, and it was whilst doing duty as patrol over
a steel plant at Sault Ste. Marie that some striking Scotchmen
first called the Canadian Regiment the "Red Watch. The
name has been accepted and alternates with the "48th in
describing this corps. The brave Seaforths have a light grey
check in their tartans, the gay Gordons a brilliant golden
check, but the 48th have this check in red, and when the
kilts are properly made the stripe comes on the fold of the
tartan and gives a peculiar shimmering effect to the swaying
kilts while the men are on the march. The nickname of the
"Red Watch is not as well known as that of the "Black
Watch, but the Imperial Battalion of the "Red Watch
loyally earned the name at the great salient at Ypres, where
they watched at the post of honor and halted the German
masses in their second great drive to Calais. This story has
most to tell about these stirring days, but a word about the
Canadian Militia and this regiment in particular may be in
order."

Frank

[macwilkin]

Greetings:

According to my father at the close of WWI soldiers of the 2nd Btn, 42nd RHR (Black Watch) of Canada were presented with a kilt as part of their separation package.

However, the dye run for some of these kilts was incorrect and therefore the tartan colors were incorrect as well. Because of this, the mustering out soldiers called these kilts "Red Kilts".

Can anyone verify this tale or have additional information about it. I have one of these kilts and wish to donate it or sell it but wanted to find out more about it first.

Thanks

Jon Beatty

Jon,

Have you contacted the RHR of Canada's museum/archives?

http://www.blackwatchcanada.com/en/archives.htm#museum

If anyone would have information, it would most likely be them. I would also suggest the the Canadian War Museum:

http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/cwme.asp

Regards,

Todd