Why would an Essex man join a Scottish regiment?
QMy great grandfather was Sydney George Young (b1886, High Easter, Essex, and d1976, Southend) – he is shown here with his wife Lillie. He served in the First World War and was wounded. I have been unable to find any record of his service online, but I have found a Medal Index Card for a Sidney G Young in the Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), Seaforth Highlanders (regimental numbers 253225 and 285204). Is this uniform from that regiment? And how can I find out more about his war service?
Jan Driver
AYour photo clearly shows a Scottish Regiment soldier. Searching the cards on The National Archives’ website ( bit.ly/tnamics), I’ve examined every Sydney and Sidney with connections to a Scottish Regiment (including the 14th London Regiment – the ‘London Scottish’), but I keep returning to your card as the most likely.
The Silver War Badge card for Sidney Young (sic) shows he enlisted on 10 December 1915, before conscription was introduced, and was discharged sick on 8 November 1917. His first number, 253225, suggests he enlisted in the 6th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and his Medal Roll
(on Ancestry at bit.ly/anc-medal-rolls) shows him transferring to 6th Seaforth Highlanders in France. Both battalions served in 152nd Brigade, 51st Highland Division. This suggests that he went to France with reinforcements for 6th Argyll’s and transferred to the Seaforths almost immediately.
Enlisting before conscription allowed a soldier to choose his regiment – 6th Argyll normally recruited in Renfrewshire but, in wartime, they weren’t restricted. Perhaps they sent a recruiting party to Essex, and Sydney liked the uniform? I’ve heard of men joining Scottish regiments for that reason.
Phil Tomaselli
1THE GLENGARRY BONNET
The Glengarry bonnet was worn as ‘undress’ headgear by the whole British Army from the 1870s until about 1900, but by 1914 it was worn by Scottish troops only.
2CAP BAND
The badge can’t be seen, and the colours of the cap band aren’t distinguishable. But it isn’t the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders – their cap band dicing resembled chessboard squares.
3CORPORAL STRIPES
The corporal’s two stripes make me question our identification of the Medal Index Card; but I still can’t find a better fit, and the corporal rank could be temporary.
4IN
SHORT SUPPLY
Normally, Scottish troops wore a cut-away jacket to display the sporran. In 1916 these were in short supply and ordinary jackets were issued, helping to give an approximate date.
5TRENCH GARB
The kilt apron, plain long socks, Highland shoes and spats all suggest a date of 1916, as uniforms became more practical for trench warfare.