Legality of badge wearing?

[Steve Barclay]

Hello.

An ancestor of mine who was in the Highland Light Infantry died in the Battle of Arras, and I know it's long way off but on Armistice Day this year at the ceremony in Bedworth I really would like to attend wearing a kilt in the MacKenzie tartan (I know most of the HLI wore trews but I believe pipers at least wore kilts), and a horsehair sporran with an HLI badge (actually a cap badge) fixed to it to commemorate him. Trouble is, I'm mindful of the man who at the service last year got into a whole heap of trouble for wearing medals to which he was not entitled- difference is I won't be claiming the badge or anything else as being worn by myself in service, it is purely to honour my relative- can anyone see any problems with this?

Thanks

[Ice Tiger]

Steve

I see no issue with you remembering your relative in this way.

Anyone related to a McKenzie or with that surname may wear the tartan. As for the cap badge, it's not as if you were wearing it on any headwear as intended, so go for it.

Just don't wear his medals on your left!

Andy

[daggers]

And as always avoid those chaps with red tops.

[Steve Barclay]

Thanks guys. Just for the sake of pedantry- I wouldn't wear the MacKenzie tartan because of family connections, because there are none (we have our own Barclay tartans), but because it was the tartan worn by the HLI, and also the Seaforths I believe. Here is a picture of me at the memorial in Cleland, Lanarkshire where the Scottish Barclays in my line are mostly from, pointing out the name of the aforementioned cousin:-

[centurion]

careful you don't get a visit from your clan enforcer

[Andy Wade]

it is purely to honour my relative- can anyone see any problems with this?

None whatsoever simply because you're doing it for all the right reasons.

You probably don't need it, but I'd just suggest that you take some advice about correct wearing of dress (that's not a reference to the kilt by the way ) and as has been said, wear the medals at the correct height on the right side to show that you're wearing someone else's medals. There is actually a correct protocol for all of this and if you do a little research then you'll find lots of advice on how to go about it.

It's an honourable thing you're doing, good luck to you.

Are you laying a wreath? If not it might be something to consider and you could add a personal message to it which will help others learn about Alexander's sacrifice. It might be worth contacting your local British Legion branch to order a wreath and let them know what you're planning to do on the day.

Roger Day, the man you referred to, was wearing his un-earned medals to pretend he was something he clearly wasn't which is very far removed from what you're proposing.

Oh, I nearly forgot...

That Man! Get your bladdy 'air cut!

[KevinBattle]

As you already know, there are specialist Scottish wear suppliers, if you need any specialist advice on what goes with what. There may even be an HLI pattern dress sporran. You may get away with a sgian dubh, but be prepared for problems if you wear a dirk. Ours had to be chained to the scabbard to restrict any waving around!

My RBL Pipe Band had McKenzie tartan (as the Southend Chief of Police was a McKenzie we thought it a good idea to have him onside to ensure we had police marshals for our parades!). I'm not Scottish, but family friends were McKenzies so we were officially adopted through them. I never felt anything but pride in what I was representing, the memory of men who didn't come back.

You are doing the same, so go for it!

[Steve Barclay]

Thank you all!