Posted 8 years ago
BlackWatch
(65 items)
Post-War Glengarry attributed to Second Lieutenant Ian Murray-Thomson of the Seaforth Highlanders who served in the Malayan Conflict in the late 1940s-1950s. The Glengarry itself may be earlier, WWII period as the Officer bought some of his gear second hand. This came with a few other items that belonged to Murray-Thomson that I acquired recently.
This is really interesting for me as I have a very similar Glengarry here that belonged to my father. It even has the same tartan.
I don't have his regimental details handy although I know it was from Perth, Western Australia. They mainly served in New Guinea and Darwin.
My brother has Dad's regimental kilt I think.
Hello Racer4four,
I think this pattern of Glengarry was quite common in WWII and later. I think Commonwealth Scottish regiments (Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South African, etc.) also used the same pattern for some regiments. It would be quite fun, I imagine, to uncover what Australian regiment he served to, and you're lucky to have such a cap to a family member that served, arguably these items are a little more special if they belonged to a family member. You should totally try to uncover more about your dad's service.
I asked my brother quickly about Dad's regiment and this was what he told me:
Victorian Scottish Regiment. 5th/6th Battalion.
They trained and served as garrison in Western Australia (the bit I remembered) and the Northern Territory. After the outbreak of war the 6th Division was formed for overseas service. and members of the VSR joined the 2nd/5th Battalion, which formed part of that division. They saw service in many theatres but Dad's overseas service was all in New Guinea.
There is a bit on the regiment here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Scottish_Regiment
and their dress uniform, with Glengarry, here:
https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/397073
I remember Dad saying they didn't keep the whole dress uniform, just parts, which is why we have the cap and kilt..
It's pretty cool that they kept his cap and especially his full dress kilt though. My great grandfather (who served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in WWI) was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada and was in a Canadian Scottish (not sure which regiment) prior to WWI. Not sure if he transferred or left the regiment prior to WWI and then re-enlisted when the war began but he didn't serve with a Scottish regiment in WWI but rather the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. It is rumored he originally kept his kilt but unfortunately may have not survived the years, but could be somewhere in one of my relative's basements, who knows. All that I know we have to him for sure is his two war medals and trench cap badge to the 8th Battalion CEF "Little Black Devils" (Royal Winnipeg Grenadiers). I may do a post on him in the future should I find more things to him. Thank you for sharing your story about your father and his items.
Interesting, thanks Black Watch. My brother has most of the family stuff, including Dad's medals and his father's WWI medals. My son is of an age to be interested in it all so a trip to visit and talk is on the cards soon.
My issued cap (exactly the same as this one) was issued to me (given to me) in 1983 by the Canadian Scottish Regiment and belonged to a member who received it new just before he left for the Korean conflict. Unfortunately I could not pry his cap badge out of his very strong hands.
Welcome to CW:)
Thank you kindly for the nice comment and love, Trey.
Best regards,
-Jamie