Quote Originally Posted by cajunscot View Post
Rank yes...trade badges, though, aren't usually worn with mess dress, are they? Does one wear a piper/signaller/musketry badge on their mess kit?

For example, I'm looking at present at a depiction of the RCMP officer's mess dress, and the only insignia being worn are rank badges (pips and crowns) and the buffalo head collar dogs of the RCMP on the collars.

Rathdown: did you notice that the waistcoat is tartan (Erskine, I believe, which would make this gentleman a member of the old RHF, an amalgamation of the old HLI and RSF) -- I can't remember seeing any of the Scottish regiments wearing a tartan waistcoat with mess dress.

Regards,

Todd
Hi Todd--

Yes, I noticed the waistcoat, but couldn't make out the tartan. Like yourself, I can't recall any regiments wearing a tartan waistcoat.

Given that the piper is wearing a costume, albeit with a nod to Scottish military fashion, I can certainly understand his wearing rank and trade designations-- it makes him more interesting to look at as he stands "stalk still" on stage.

It may be good showmanship, but it certainly isn't militarily correct, or acceptable as civilian formal attire.

Regards (and congratulations for a job well done as a moderator),
Scott