Liverpool Scottish, some interesting images

[Allan Thomson]

Chavasse, one of two RAMC double VC winners, both MOs, out of only three VC and Bar ever awarded. The Citations for these non-combatant officers are humbling.

His wearing of the glengarry was not unique, nor is it today. The MO of a non-Army Medical Services' regiment generally wears the bonnet/beret of the unit to which he/she is attached, not just Scottish regiments but also the likes of the Guards, Paras etc.

Thankyou Figheadair interested to hear your comments, I'd always been given the impression wearing the Glengarry was something he'd done to make the point that he was prepared to suffer in the hardships as the men he looked after (and because he preferred it to the conventional RAMC cap). But obviously that wasn't the case - was it something that was done butcould have been frowned upon or is that just a misconception based on the part of the legend?

Indeed Chavasse was one of my heroes from an early age and my father spoke of him and he said he grandfather had often spoken of him as well (said he had probably saved his life once). In addition to the Liverpool Scottish he is also claimed and held in high esteem by 208 field hospital which is based in Liverpool. An incredible man in many ways, recognising shell shock, how to treat it and making waves at high levels to improve the life of those troops he cared for (and others who were not under his direct responsibility). It's ambigious as to whether he never received promotion beyond Captain because of the way he stuck his nose out or because of his insistence with staying on the front. Also an accomplished athlete and Scholar, qualifying for the 1908 Olympic Games and getting a 1st from Oxford.

Incidentally but if I recollect correctly but I think when he was fatally wounded he was eventually able to crawl to Martin-Leake's aid post where he died?

[figheadair]

Thankyou Figheadair interested to hear your comments, I'd always been given the impression wearing the Glengarry was something he'd done to make the point that he was prepared to suffer in the hardships as the men he looked after (and because he preferred it to the conventional RAMC cap). But obviously that wasn't the case - was it something that was done but could have been frowned upon or is that just a misconception based on the part of the legend?

It's standard practise now and I think it was then too, so probably just a misconception.

It's ambigious as to whether he never received promotion beyond Captain because of the way he stuck his nose out or because of his insistence with staying on the front. Also an accomplished athlete and Scholar, qualifying for the 1908 Olympic Games and getting a 1st from Oxford.

Incidentally but if I recollect correctly but I think when he was fatally wounded he was eventually able to crawl to Martin-Leake's aid post where he died?

I think that MOs that stayed 'in-roll' at the front rather then going down the commend route tended to stay at their commissioned rank. Ditto Martin-Leake who served through and survived the war as a Capt. I don't know whether he was at the Third Battle of Ypres and therefore in the same sector when Chavasse was mortally wounded.

[Allan Thomson]

It's standard practise now and I think it was then too, so probably just a misconception.



I think that MOs that stayed 'in-roll' at the front rather then going down the commend route tended to stay at their commissioned rank. Ditto Martin-Leake who served through and survived the war as a Capt. I don't know whether he was at the Third Battle of Ypres and therefore in the same sector when Chavasse was mortally wounded.

Years ago I read the biographies of both of them and I'm sure I recollect something to the effect of Chavasse having ended up at Martin Leakes Dressing station. Unfortunately I don't have access to the books to fact check as they belonged to my father.

[OC Richard]

Their Full Dress was interesting, a khaki doublet with red piping and facings

[Allan Thomson]

Nice to see one in Colour OC Richard, I'm guaessing that is the same style of doublet as the pipe band has in the Peel Railway Station Pictures?

[OC Richard]

Nice to see one in Colour OC Richard, I'm guessing that is the same style of doublet as the pipe band has in the Peel Railway Station Pictures?

Probably.
Here's a closeup, you can see that it's not the Pipes & Drums but rather their Military Band; note the clarinet, cornet, trombone, and French horn.



The band is wearing the Full Dress doublet with musician's shells, musician's dirks, and long plaids. If I had to guess I would say that the fellow with his back to the camera, wearing the fly plaid and Glengarry, is a drummer from the Pipes & Drums.

It appears that non-musicians are wearing ordinary Scottish pattern cutaway khaki serge tunics.

[Allan Thomson]

Probably.
Here's a closeup, you can see that it's not the Pipes & Drums but rather their Military Band; note the clarinet, cornet, trombone, and French horn.



The band is wearing the Full Dress doublet with musician's shells, musician's dirks, and long plaids. If I had to guess I would say that the fellow with his back to the camera, wearing the fly plaid and Glengarry, is a drummer from the Pipes & Drums.

It appears that non-musicians are wearing ordinary Scottish pattern cutaway khaki serge tunics.

Curious why if the band is in full dress including plaids why are they wearing the wide awake hat instead of somethin more formal?

What do you make of the other kilted figure in white spats? London Scottish is my guess?

[Good Egg]

This is an interesting picture. That looks like a single colour kilt. I've heard of Canadians having khaki kilts but not in the British Army.

He's also wearing long puttees, I've only ever seen kilted soldiers in short puttees.

Many militia regiments adopted grey well before the regular army abandoned red. The London Scottish are perhaps the most famous exponents but the whole of the South London Brigade was known as the Grey Brigade because of their grey uniforms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/140th_...ondon)_Brigade They were not the only ones.

http://www.valeofleven.org.uk/images/wars/DRV558.jpg

[Allan Thomson]

Curious Good Egg as you on the one hand said you didn't realise British units had single colour kilts but then you say you're aware of the London Scottish? Their kilts were all one colour - the Hodden Grey.

[The Q]

Two Pictures of the Liverpool Scottish Marching out from Ludgershall Station, Wiltshire, in 1907. Ludgershall and Tidworth Stations were the main stations for disembarcation for exercises on Salisbury plain.
I've walked Up that road many times...