Raster Scanning Posted 4 October , 2006 Share Posted 4 October , 2006 Just obtained this picture, about to research them. Caption reads " Cpl Grant Millbank. L/Cpl N Davidson, Brae Cottage Longside. Corp Craighead, Auchtylair, Old Deer. Stationed at Bedford 1914" Anyone have anything on these men? Thanks. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 4 October , 2006 Share Posted 4 October , 2006 John, The Highland Division (HD) was at Bedford at the beginning of the war. One Brigade of the HD was composed initially of the following 4 Gordons Territorial Force Battalions: 1/4 1/5 (Buchan & Formartin) 1/6 (Banff & Donside) 1/7 (Deeside) Aye Tom McC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Contact Carolyn M. She has some info. on these men. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliekiwi Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 The one in the middle looks awfully young in comparison to the other two, doesn't he? I'll be interested to hear what you find out about these lads, and if they made it through the war. You know, I just had a thought... kilted versus un-kilted (as in trouser wearing!) scottish regiments, was there any noticeable difference in casualty rates that could be attributed to kilt wearing? Will go off and ponder that... Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolm Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Hi John, I saw this photo on ebay. I do have some information on the men. I actually tried to contact the buyer to supply this information, but couldn't. So I'm glad I finally 'found' you. All are listed in the 1914 Battalion Roll published in the Buchan Observer in October 1914 - men who had volunteered for foreign service. They are in B Company (Peterhead) 'Grant Millbank' is wrong. The man's name is 1424 Corpl. Grant, G.A of Millbank, Longside (near Peterhead) The others are: 1200 Corpl. Craighead W Auchtylair, Auchnagatt 1909 L. Cpl. Davidson, Norman Brae Cott, Longside Later promoted to Acting Colour Sergeant. 240343 Davidson is the only one I've found a record for on TNA unless this is W Craighead and he changed battalions: Medal card of Craighead, W Corps Regiment No Rank Gordon Highlanders S/22613 Private Military Foot Police P/18144 Private There are several other Craigheads in the battalion, but both from Peterhead. Cheers Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolm Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Hi again, I just realised I had a bit more about the three NCOs. George Alexander Grant. Born 1895. Son of William Grant, farmer, and wife Janet Scott. William Craighead. Son of Robert & Mary Craighead. Age 13 in 1901 census. Norman Davidson. Son of George Davidson, school board clerk and accountant and wife Mary. Age 8 in 1901 census. I don't know which is which. Does the photo indicate this? Grant was 19 in 1914; Craighead was about 26; Davidson was about 21. I'd assume the one in the middle is the youngest. As far as I can see, none died, at least, not as members of the 5th Bn. Two may not have gone to France. I'll be interested to hear if you find out anything extra or different. Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliekiwi Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Is that the normal cut of a ..whatever the proper term is for the battledress jacket thing? Or is that actually a 'kilt-cut' jacket they are wearing, but with trousers? Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Allie Yes you are correct this is the "cutaway" front on the Service Dress, designed for wear with a kilt. The front of "O/R non highland regiments" Service Dress is straight like a conventional jacket. Pictures from this period often have highland troops in non cutaway Service Dress (with and without kilts) - apparently there was a shortage of the cutaway pattern. It is my impression that it is less common to see the combination this way around although with the initial expansion of the Army (and then the formation of the Kitchener army) there were shortages of almost everything (including kilts) so you see some interesting combinations of old and new equipment and styles. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolm Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 When I first saw this photo I was very surprised to see the men in trousers. For a start, at least two of these men were pre-war Territorials, so, presumably would have a uniform. Secondly, in most portraits, men are trying to look their best - possibly to impress the girls/family back home. Hence the martial air and swagger sticks etc they usually sported. These trousers without puttees are NOT a good look. Can they possibly think a man looks better in pants than in a kilt??? If so, they are sadly mistaken. It looks like some kind of 2nd best or working uniform (did they have such things?). But why wear that to get your picture taken? I don't know exactly when these men joined but here are some 5th Bn numbers with enlistment dates I know which allows the three NCOs to be slotted in: No 1278 joined in 1911 No 1443 22/2/1912 No 1573 27/2/1913 No 1893 22/7/1914 No 2032 4/8/1914 So: 1200 Craighead (born abt 1888) joined about 1911 1424 Grant (born abt 1895) on or prior to Feb 1912 1909 Davidson (who I suppose is the youthful L/C in the middle but who is 21 years old) joined between 22/7 and 4/8/1914. Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raster Scanning Posted 7 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 7 October , 2006 Dear All thanks for your informative replies, especially as it seems I was bidding against one of you! Tom, thanks for your post . Carolyn The information is very useful, Thanks. I do not actually have the picture yet (used the ebay one), but will let you know if anything else comes to light. Chris, sorry! I have PM you. Allie I will update the post when I have followed up some leads. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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