fallschirmjager

I hope to put a Website together soon detailing the SH history (Boer War only), Uniforms, personalities, medals, etc! So would of course welcome any info on them and/or help! Stay posted! OK off to take better pics of the albums - back to topic!!!

Some badges - not mine unfortunately all supplied by various collectors!

Stuart, the SH were only originally formed to compose one regiment, laterly a second was formed. So the first regiment would not have chosen yellow as a flash (I call them flashes as thats what we wore back in my para days!), this is backed up in the book 'southern cross scots' and where it identifies the patch as murray of athol tartan (oblong but also squares). Although I do admit the information is not detailed. The yellow and red may have come in during the later part of the Boer war but I doubt if anyone would have wanted to change the murray tartan in such a high espirt de corp and close knitted unit. Also the pictures I've seen either have tartan or dark patches (although I know some yellows go dark on period pictures)! I conjecture that the red/yellow came in after the unit was reformed in later part of 1902. Also agree on different badges - the early contingent wore field cut badges oval with 'X' and 1900, the newer Scottish contingents wore a circular stamped cross see my avitar! No doubt when they came together then they probably unified things! But one thing I'm sure off is that some say that the 'ScH' badge was worn on the hat, I really don't believe this, it was a shoulder title! Yes its grey and murky out there, than goodnes they had some form of cameras otherwise it would be very murky!! p.s. notice the lack of a feather plum in this picture! Again I think this depends on where the pictures were taken and issue of kit etc!

Thats interesting - I did not know the SH served in bensons column (they didn't as far as I know?), was he attached to another unit do you know or am I mistaken or missied some info around Bensons 'Flying' column? Mike

OK I could not help myself! Here's another notice the 'line' on the jacket has gone! After retouching: Before retouching:

Alex I thought I would touch up one of your pics to show what can be done with your 'yellow' pictures. I took 5 minutes to do this but a professional could do better, I recommend making copies and having them refurbed like this one before they fade even more - even better - refurb them and self print them in a blurb book for the future!

The SH badges and hat in the above pictures are all dated 1903 onwards. The SH during the boer war did not wear a wreath underneath the 'X'. Also Stuart is correct in that they were slouch hats as the bonnets did not come in till after the Boer War. The 'DW' is a possibility, what unit is this? I'll try and get some better pictures tonight! Thanks for your help so far. Footnote - the Yellow flash under the SH badge is again post boer war, yellow was for 1st regiment and red for second. During the Boer war the Murray of Atholl tartan was worn behind the badge either a square or a oval!

This is an interesting picture! The jacket seems very close to the Jacket I've been trying to identify worn by my great great uncle who was in the Scottish Horse in the Boer war. Darkened buttons, double pockets etc!

will give it a go!

Not sure which forum to post this so here is a link to the one I did post it in: My link

Hi All I got these two Boer War albums. Now the interesting thing is that the inside cover definately had details written on but have now been properly errased and the inside first cover page has been cut out - on both albums! I'm a bit suspicious as to why somone would do this (perhaps it was after the end of the war and thus the seller knew he would get more for them by selling as during the war)!? The inside has an Edinburgh chemist stamp and there appear to be Scottish caps being worn at various points as well as standard FS Helmets. Would anyone like to take a guestimate at the units and the time period? Regardless, these are superb pictures showing various aspects of Boer War activity in several British (or Empire), units - enjoy! Close up of the above helmet:

the 206 means he was the 206th man to receive the para award following jump training!

Also, I've been searching around for a copy or original example of that whip, so apart from the usual bondage stuff its pretty hard to get hold off. It seems very short, any horsepeople out there willing to comment on the whip? Cheers Mike

I agree with that, especially for the officers, there are all sorts of tunics out there! I still think sutlers is the best match but adding 2 lower pocket flaps, unless anyone else can give guidance on supplier? Hes actually Scottish Horse but as you may know had loads of Aussies in ther ranks as well as the South Africans, Canadians, New Zealand and the odd Englishman (heaven forbid!). It was effectively a private army run under Kitchiner but with totally local conrol.

Cheers William I think the one on the first photograph is an australian Variant as it has 2 lower pockets. I got this info from another forum! Thats a nice jacket it must have been a wrench to sell it, they are like gold dust! Mike

Hi All Can anyone tell me if this tunic was the standard British issue for the Boer War. I have seen without pockets and this one with pockets? Is there a forum on the Boer War uniforms/tunic? Does anyone know where to get the best repro for this tunic - sutlers.co.uk seem to be the best I can see? Cheers Mike