Dating Seaforth Highlanders Funeral

[gordon92]

I am hoping to attract some help to date the enclosed picture of a Seaforth Highlanders funeral procession.

The pipers wear the distinctive sporran of a grey ground with two black tassels that was only worn by the 2nd battalion. The Pipes and Drums are preceded by the escort who carry their arms at the "reverse" secured by the right arm behind the back.

The onlookers wear multiple styles of Service Dress Jackets. The non-Scot in the Broderick cap on the far side of the procession to the left wears the original 1902 pattern with detachable shoulder straps. All of the Seaforth spectators have on the 1903 modification with shoulder cords and cloth titles on the upper sleeve.

So, this sets the date of the image at 1903 at the lower end. I have a photo of this same Bn, 2nd Seaforth, in 1912 at which time all the SD jackets had fixed shoulder straps. Is there a date before 1912 by which the shoulder cords were completely phased out? If so, this would set the upper end of the date window.

Another dating detail might be the weapon. Is the rifle shown here the Lee-Enfield Mark I? When might this have been replaced by the SMLE in regular battalions?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Mike

[Joe Sweeney]

Mike,

I would say that this photo dates from 1903 to No later than 1906/7. I would say probably in the earlier years range 1903-05 given Brodrick caps and no visible fixed shoulder straps.

Fixed shoulder straps were introduced in 1904 and there was a hodge podge of SD jacket styles worn until 1908. The removable shoulders Straps as introduced in 1901 became rarer after 1904. The corded straps were introduced in July 1903.

In a very rare move the DEOS actually ordered the jackets with cord removed from service in July 1908, there being so many still in service. Usually older models were worn until stocks were exhausted and orders not to wear are not common.

Joe Sweeney

[gordon92]

Mike,

I would say that this photo dates from 1903 to No later than 1906/7. I would say probably in the earlier years range 1903-05 given Brodrick caps and no visible fixed shoulder straps.

Fixed shoulder straps were introduced in 1904 and there was a hodge podge of SD jacket styles worn until 1908. The removable shoulders Straps as introduced in 1901 became rarer after 1904. The corded straps were introduced in July 1903.

In a very rare move the DEOS actually ordered the jackets with cord removed from service in July 1908, there being so many still in service. Usually older models were worn until stocks were exhausted and orders not to wear are not common.

Joe Sweeney

Joe,

Thanks for the chronology on the shoulder straps. I had forgotten about the limited lifetime of the Broderick caps as a dating clue.

Mike