Is this uniform Black Watch?

Joan · Post by **Joan** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:24 pm

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-316

Can anyone please confirm for me that the uniform worn by the 3 soldiers is that of the Black Watch. The photograph was taken in India. Family tradition has it that my grandfather was in the Black Watch but thought I should confirm before planning my trip to Kew
Grandad is in the middle, if he has 2 stripes on bottom part of his sleeve is he a corporal or should the stripes be on his upper arm? (sorry but I know next to nothing about army matters)

Thanks
Joan

Skywave · Post by **Skywave** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:21 pm

Joan,
Yes

Joan · Post by **Joan** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:26 pm

Thanks skywave, just wanted to be sure as I've found not everything I've been told has been 100% accurate.

Skywave · Post by **Skywave** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:34 pm

Joan,

Sorry did read all of your initial post until recieving your reply.

Invetred cheverons in the British Army are usually to do with good conduct.

Joan · Post by **Joan** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:58 pm

Thanks again, skywave. I can start planning my visit now
Joan

mallog · Post by **mallog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:55 pm

What date do you think that was Joan?

Joan · Post by **Joan** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:51 am

Hi Mallog
Since I posted my question I have been to Kew and found my Grandad's service records.
He was in India Feb 1896 - Dec 1901. Nipped to Africa for the Boer war then returned to India from Oct 1902- Oct 1907.
During the 1st World War he served in France, Basra and then went to India again June 1916 until June 1918.
Thanks to Skywave I can say the photo was taken either between
September 1901 and June 1902 or December 1905 and October 1906. (He had some deal of difficulty holding onto those two chevrons.)

Joan

mallog · Post by **mallog** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:29 am

Great to have all that detail.
Sounds like my father who lost his horse apparently

Thrall · Post by **Thrall** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:34 pm

Hi Mallog, I see you have Robbs in Fife and Macfarlanes in Perth. I have James Robb grocer b.1840, m.Agnes Wilson 1863 Dunfermline, d. !926 St.Andrews. Also James MacFarlane farmer b.1803 Callander m. Ann Thomson 1845 l. of Menteith, d. 1877. Any hits?

Good hunting

Thrall

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:08 pm

Meant to contribute here earlier.

Defintutely a Black Watch dress sporran.

See http://www.landmhighland.com/default.as ... p=9&pid=94

Only later when I looked at all of the photo did I see that the solar topees sitting on the ground with the Black Watch red hackle!

BTW An expert on medals would be able to identify those worn by the man on the left, - maybe not the clasps, - but certainly the medals.

Given the dates that you give I'd put money on one or both being Boer War campaign medals and clasps, or one from the Boer War, plus one of the various Sudan medals, or some Indian campaign/action.

If you have a look at www.regiments.org and drill down to the detailed service record of the Black Watch battalion(s) you should be able to establish just where they were at the dates involved.

David