Flashes

[medic78]

slow nite at work and found this interesting. thought some others mite too. This is from the sop's of West Point's pipe band .

Flashes

The British standard for the wear of flashes, is that the front edge be along the center of the shin. When the British raised Highland Colonial Regiments during the French and Indian War, they were sworn to never oppose the crown. During the Revolution, the British tried to raise these regiments but some of the colonials joined the cause for independence. No American Highland units were formed, but these experienced soldiers did play a role in the Revolution. In memory of their contribution to this country and defiance to the Crown of England, the Pipes & Drums, USCC will not conform to this British standard. Instead, the flashes will be turned, so that the center of the flash is along the center of the outside of the calf.

[Riverkilt]

Most interesting. So, if I wanna honor my Loyalist ancestors I should do it the British way, and if I wanna honor my rebel ancestors I do it the rebel way....options are good.

Ron

[JSFMACLJR]

Sounds like a fable to me. I don't think the "modern" flashes were worn in colonial times; rather garters that tied were used and the bows would have been more on the side to begin with

This picture shows a private from 1742, and an officer from 1770, both Black Watch:

[beloitpiper]

You think they could have a better "show of defiance" than turning their flashes 30 degrees outward...

[BroosterB1]

You think they could have a better "show of defiance" than turning their flashes 30 degrees outward...

Yah, like my ancestors who were shipped in to fight the F&I war and decided not to.. One took off to chandler in Carolina, the other to farm, first in NY then in Penslyannia. Neither took part in the "revolution" too busy trying to live. In 1776 1/3 were loyalist, 1/3 were revolutionist, and 1/3 were too busy living. I guess you could call the 18th century hippies

[Derek Conley]

Sounds like a fable to me. I don't think the "modern" flashes were worn in colonial times; rather garters that tied were used and the bows would have been more on the side to begin with

I don't believe the post states they ever were.

My assumption is that this line: "The British standard for the wear of flashes, is that the front edge be along the center of the shin.", is referring to modern regs.

[Scotus]

You think they could have a better "show of defiance" than turning their flashes 30 degrees outward...

I was thinking the same thing.

[BEEDEE]

Most interesting. So, if I wanna honor my Loyalist ancestors I should do it the British way, and if I wanna honor my rebel ancestors I do it the rebel way....options are good.

Ron

Or you can wear the flashes the British way on one leg, and the Rebel way on the other leg and honor both at the same time.

Brian

[macwilkin]

Sounds like a fable to me.

Indeed. I've read this comment before in the Company of Military Historian's series on American military uniforms, and thought it was a bit of a chestnut then.

You think they could have a better "show of defiance" than turning their flashes 30 degrees outward...

Personally, I've never understood their need to show "defiance" against an ally and friend. Perhaps they should read the regimental history of the Black Watch, which has this to say about the American Revolution:

We can boast no Battle Honours for our part in the American War of Independance,
because it was rightly decreed that Battle Honours should not be granted for a war with our kith and kin.*

*Emphasis mine.

Regards,

Todd

[pipesndrumsnun]

Sometimes you can only rebel in small ways; when I was in college, I worked at a job I hated (the boss was a jerk!)... I secretly wore red socks instead of black with my uniform...only I knew it, but it felt GREAT! Very rebellious!

AND, you can't forget the small black arm bands sported by a group of U.S. students in the 1960s that forever changed American public school law and slowly did away with strict dress codes for students and faculty (I'm not saying this was a good thing, but it DID change history!). It also ushered in the students' rights movement in the united States. From small gestures come great things.