Military Uniform Trivia
48th highlanders
Active member
The skein dhu is a a dagger, carried in the hose top, by highlanders.
Now a days it is a ceremonial item , only worn with full dress uniform.
The Regimental Sgt Major, as the most senior NCO has a short sword with a unusual accoutrement in the outside of the sheath. In additon to the sword, he has a carving knife and a fork, that are fitted into the sheath, and they represent the tradition of the Clan Lord's "first man " having the honour to carve the joint of meat, at clan feasts.
At the Regimental " mess dinners " the RSM carves the joint of beef, and the meal is served to the Officers. The RSM is NOT a rank, it is an appointment, and he is called Mister, by all ranks, and Officers, alike. In action the RSM is the Colonel's personal body guard, and his task is to see that the Regiment is properly fed and resupplied, and to keep track of the wounded, and the dead, as to location and identification.
The RSM is the physcial embodiment of the Regiment and it's pride and traditions. He sets the tone for the men and the officers, if they are smart, listen well to his opinions.
Jim b. Toronto.
Now a days it is a ceremonial item , only worn with full dress uniform.
The Regimental Sgt Major, as the most senior NCO has a short sword with a unusual accoutrement in the outside of the sheath. In additon to the sword, he has a carving knife and a fork, that are fitted into the sheath, and they represent the tradition of the Clan Lord's "first man " having the honour to carve the joint of meat, at clan feasts.
At the Regimental " mess dinners " the RSM carves the joint of beef, and the meal is served to the Officers. The RSM is NOT a rank, it is an appointment, and he is called Mister, by all ranks, and Officers, alike. In action the RSM is the Colonel's personal body guard, and his task is to see that the Regiment is properly fed and resupplied, and to keep track of the wounded, and the dead, as to location and identification.
The RSM is the physcial embodiment of the Regiment and it's pride and traditions. He sets the tone for the men and the officers, if they are smart, listen well to his opinions.
Jim b. Toronto.
48th highlanders
Active member
Why do Royal Navy ratings salute with their palm facing inwards, so that it is hidden from the view of others, unlike the British soldier who slautes with his palm facing outwards ? Any one know the reason for this Royal Navy tradition ?
A second RN uniform trivia bit....... What were " seven seas " and who could wear them ?
Jim B. Toronto.
A second RN uniform trivia bit....... What were " seven seas " and who could wear them ?
Jim B. Toronto.
BritinBritain
Per Ardua Ad Astra
If the story I heard if it is correct, it was because of Queen Victoria.
Sailor use to salute the same as soldiers, with the palm outwards, but because of the use of grease and tar on board ship, sailors hands would become very dirty. Queen Victoria is reported to have paid a visit to a ship and was “Not amused” by the dirty hands when sailors saluted her. From then on, sailors were obliged to salute with the palm down.
There are probably other theories and/or stories.
I did however, find an interesting site regarding many Royal Navy Traditions
http://www.hmsrichmond.org/avast/customs.htm
Sailor use to salute the same as soldiers, with the palm outwards, but because of the use of grease and tar on board ship, sailors hands would become very dirty. Queen Victoria is reported to have paid a visit to a ship and was “Not amused” by the dirty hands when sailors saluted her. From then on, sailors were obliged to salute with the palm down.
There are probably other theories and/or stories.
I did however, find an interesting site regarding many Royal Navy Traditions
http://www.hmsrichmond.org/avast/customs.htm
Last edited:
48th highlanders
Active member
Britinafrica :
You got it right, more or less, but the time period was a bit off. It was more like George the third, rather than Victoria.
To continue.........
In the Royal Navy, what were " seven seas " and who could wear them ashore ?
jim B. Toronto.
You got it right, more or less, but the time period was a bit off. It was more like George the third, rather than Victoria.
To continue.........
In the Royal Navy, what were " seven seas " and who could wear them ashore ?
jim B. Toronto.
BritinBritain
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Yes, your correct, the present day method of saluting with the palm down was introduced in 1800.
As far as I am aware the sevens seas referred to the number of creases pressed into the trousers of ratings.
48th highlanders
Active member
Britinafrica :
Correct.....!
A man could have his pay book "noted " to show that he had been in all seven seas, in his RN career. With that he could properly press his bells, with the normal " inside out ' vertical side creases, plus the 7 horizontal creases of the true " old salt " .
How about this one.......
In the RN , who is /was, " the Buffer " ? And what did he do, aboard ?
Jim B. Toronto.
Correct.....!
A man could have his pay book "noted " to show that he had been in all seven seas, in his RN career. With that he could properly press his bells, with the normal " inside out ' vertical side creases, plus the 7 horizontal creases of the true " old salt " .
How about this one.......
In the RN , who is /was, " the Buffer " ? And what did he do, aboard ?
Jim B. Toronto.
BritinBritain
Per Ardua Ad Astra
The Chief Bosun's Mate or 'Buffer', aided by his two Seamanship specialists, provides the professional advice and training on all matters regarding seamanship practices. From boats to splicing and any other of a vast range of traditional seafaring skills, they lead an altogether healthy lifestyle battling all the elements as they work on the upper-deck. The team are helped by 'parts of ship personnel'; and wage a continued war on the effects of the elements on the hull and superstructure; something akin to painting the Forth Rail Bridge!
48th highlanders
Active member
Britinafrica "
Correct.
Did you serve in "the andrew " at some time, as you seem to be "on target " with the RN trivia ?
Jim b.
Correct.
Did you serve in "the andrew " at some time, as you seem to be "on target " with the RN trivia ?
Jim b.
BritinBritain
Per Ardua Ad Astra
I only served in the Royal Air Force and the Terrotorial Army, I never did serve in the RN although at one time I was tempted to join the RNVR so I could claim all three RAF, Army and RN lol.
I have a fairly large collection of military books and always have my nose buried in one sometime during the day.
At present I am working through Winston Churchills WW2 published in 1939
48th highlanders
Active member
Britinafrica:
Understood....
Back to the uniform trivia... What 19th century British army cavalry unit were known as the " Cherry Bums " and why?
Jim b.
Understood....
Back to the uniform trivia... What 19th century British army cavalry unit were known as the " Cherry Bums " and why?
Jim b.
BritinBritain
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Cherrybums is one of the many nicknames for the 11th Hussars (Cherubims,Cherry-pickers and Cherry-breechers are others). This particular name arises from the very tight pink trousers enforced upon their officers in 1840 by their Regimental Commander the 7th Earl of Cardigan.
Cherry-pickers comes from an earlier incident in Spain in 1811 when a detachment was surprised,when picking cherries in an orchard, by French cavalry.
The Regiment amalgamated in 1969 with the 10th Royal Hussars to form the Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales' Own).
Cherry-pickers comes from an earlier incident in Spain in 1811 when a detachment was surprised,when picking cherries in an orchard, by French cavalry.
The Regiment amalgamated in 1969 with the 10th Royal Hussars to form the Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales' Own).
48th highlanders
Active member
Britinafrica "
Correct.
You mentioned Cardigan...... Which one of his contemporaries also had a article /style of clothing named after him ?
Jim B.
Correct.
You mentioned Cardigan...... Which one of his contemporaries also had a article /style of clothing named after him ?
Jim B.
BritinBritain
Per Ardua Ad Astra
The cardigan sweater.
48th highlanders
Active member
Bren122 "
Yes the raglan type of sleeve , in a sweater.
Wellington ankle boots ( no laces but with elastic side gores ) are still a issued type of footwear, for officers in the Canadian Forces, to be worn with "mess dress ".
By a strange coincidence, I live on Raglan Avenue in Toronto.
Jim B.
Yes the raglan type of sleeve , in a sweater.
Wellington ankle boots ( no laces but with elastic side gores ) are still a issued type of footwear, for officers in the Canadian Forces, to be worn with "mess dress ".
By a strange coincidence, I live on Raglan Avenue in Toronto.
Jim B.
48th highlanders
Active member
Bren>
What British Army unit ( Victorian era ) used to wear a badge with the "skull and cross bones " on it ? Very similar to the SS deaths head insignia.
Jim B.
What British Army unit ( Victorian era ) used to wear a badge with the "skull and cross bones " on it ? Very similar to the SS deaths head insignia.
Jim B.