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TF Black Watch oddity


tocemma

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Hello,

Can anyone enlighten me as to what order of dress this is!

TF Black Watch Private, Imperial Service volunteer badge, Pattern '03 waistbelt, SD Trousers? or are they knickerbockers? and now the really odd bit, Hosetops, garters and gaiters, worn with Highland shoes. Is it some Highland cyclist rig adopted so as not to frighten horses and small children?

post-7141-1269202739.jpg

Please explain....anyone. I've never seen this rig in another period photo.

Regards

Tocemma

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Transport section ? or he may not even be Black Watch, 9th Glasgow Highlanders.? ( It may be in the spats.)

Gary

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Thanks Gary,

Yes that's possible. Nothing on the card to indicate area unfortunately.

Tocemma

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TM,

I think Steve C published a picture of a Scottish cyclist in nearly the same wierd dress in his book.

Joe Sweeney

I have a pic of a cyclist also dressed like this.

I'll dig it out

Chris

HERE he is: post-14525-1269213919.jpg

And here is the whole group - post-14525-1269214090.jpg

Edited by 4thGordons
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Hi Chris,

Fantastic. I'm sure someone will identify the unit now. The picture taken in Kircaldy it seems. It is probably one of the three Highland Cyclist battalions formed at Kircaldy. This thread has some detail.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...howtopic=104127

Seems they were at one time a VB of the Black Watch. Interesting. Not a unit I had reason to look into previously.

Regards

Tocemma

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Ah...

Now I've got a steer on the unit, it seems this was posted three years ago. Apologies to forum member Loobylou for nicking her picture it shows her Great Uncle Pte John Watson Kirk 2103, Highland Cyclist Battalion. Lovely photo it is too. Note his private footwear.

post-7141-1269215882.jpg

Tocemma

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Or to be wearing a kilt on a bike, and risk the wind whistling through the Trossachs....

Regards

Tocemma

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"Or to be wearing a kilt on a bike..."

Strictly forbidden. Even in kilted Infantry Battalions, the 9 Signaller/Cyclists were forbidden from kilt wearing in the interests of decency...

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