Red Hackle

**rtc872** · 13th July 10, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I know what you mean. My grandmother is still alive and she has all of my grandfather's medals, but it is already a bit of a "hot" topic when it comes up - so much so that I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up in a museum or out of the family.

It would seem the Uncle Arthur gave his medals to his favourite son instead of the eldest. Favouritism is always troublesome within families.

**jForrester** · 24th July 10, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by rtc872

It would seem the Uncle Arthur gave his medals to his favourite son instead of the eldest. Favouritism is always troublesome within families.

When my father (WW II U.S. Navy veteran) passed away, I obtained miniatures of his medals, and they were on his lapel during funeral visitation. Later I mounted his full size ones with the funeral flag, which was given to me as next of kin, and gave the miniatures that he actually wore to my sister, mounted with a photo of him in uniform. That way we both had something special. (We had no other siblings.)

Compromise and thought for the others makes things easier.

**Drum Major** · 13th July 10, 10:28 PM

Court mounting looks so much better than swing. I first court mounted mine when I had three medals. I have always done my own and have done many of my freinds and band members. Many exservicemen do this as a hobby or a business. It is a pain pulling them apart to include a new one that often go in the centre of the set. I am up to eight now and not looking for anymore. Adding a new one often means using new ribbon thus ensuring they look their best. Polishing them becomes more difficult and you must take precautions to ensure you do not get polish on the ribbons.

**English Bloke** · 13th July 10, 11:48 PM

Polish on the ribbons??... Ohhhh you don't wanna do that... Beret off, belt off, get awaaaay!!

**Woot22** · 14th July 10, 03:28 PM

When I was in the US Army they would issue you a Class A jacket with really dull buttons on it and any badges or medals you earned that were issued would be dull as well. But if you were willing to purchase your own medals and replace the buttons on your Class A jacket you could get something called Sta-Bright medals and buttons. You were not allowed to mix issued dull looking medals, badges and buttons with Sta-Bright ones but most of went the Sta-Bright route as it meant you never had to polish them again. Well sort of, they did need to wiped with a cloth to remove finger prints but all in all it was a quick and easy task and definitely never required polish. Ah, the good ole days.

**Bigkahuna** · 14th July 10, 08:02 PM

Regarding the Red Hackle, during the American Revolution, a Red Hackle was worn by the 71st Regiment of Foot. If I recall correctly it was to identify themselves to the Americans as a unit that took part in the Paoli Massacre.

**Jack Daw** · 24th July 10, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by rtc872

I was given a red hackle and the old Blackwatch badge by my great uncle when he found out I was playing the pipes. I was just wondering if I were to put them on my bonnet is that a bad thing or not.

Thanks

I'm a piper and have a green hackle and a red one that I wear when I'm in full pseudo-military kit. Enjoy.

**Drum Major** · 26th July 10, 04:13 PM

Swish for one, clink for two, jingle for three or more and clank for a dud (those unofficial ones you can fill up your chest with). When I got my third in 1973 I court mounted them. I have pulled them apart five times to include new ones.