The Scotsman - Friday, 15th December 1939, page 7

ABOLITION OF THE KILT Glasgow Highland Societies' Protest Against War Office Decision WAR RELIEF FUND

The War Office decision to discontinue the use of the kilt is the subject of a protest by Glasgow Highland Societies, and an appeal to have the question further. ' investigated is supported by a number of well-known Scotsmen and distinguished soldiers. A circular on the matteE is being sent to Highland socisties outside Glasgow requesting support, and to Scottish M.P.s asking their help to enable the Societies to place the question before the Scottish Grand Committee. On behalf of the Committee of Glasgow Highland Societies a statement points out that some societies and others seem to be under the impression that the War Office intends to withdraw the kilt only from units on active service in France, but this is not the case. The orders now issuedit is added, withdraw the kilt from all units both at home and abroad . A promise of reissue had been made regarding other ' withdrawn jirticles of dress at the beginning of the last warbut which had never been reissued, the Government, at the end of the war, regretting that owing to financial stringency they could not afford the reissue. The same argument was likely to hold good at the end of this war. The supplying of tartan is largely a Scottish industrythe statement continues, and the withdrawal of the kilt would mean more work going to English firms making uniforms , and resulting in people in Scotland losing employment. SENTIMENTAL LOVE OF THE TARTAN "At the beginning of the last war the War Office decided to do away with the kilt," states the circular. "They were defeated in this largely by the opposition o'f the Highland Societies, and the war proved that the Societies were right; Again the War Office has decided, for practically the same reasons as in 1914, to abolish the kilt. It is up to the Highland Societies and Scotsmen again to have -that decision reversed. "The ordinary Englishman cannot understand the sentimentalism and clannishness of the Scot, and is apt to . sneer at it. But it is that sentimental love of the tartan and clannish spirit which have largely made the Highland, regiments the dour fighters they are, and for which they are renowned." Dealing with : the authorities' reasons for the decision, the. circular states: "There is no difficulty of supply. "It can be easily proved that it is not the case that the-kilt is unhealthy. In the South African War the.medical authorities admitted that the kilt,-by keeping the vital organs warm, prevented sickness. Kilted units in Palestine, during the last, war, had the same experience, and there is every reason to believe that the health o'f the kilted units in France was as . good, if not better, than- those in trniisprs "Admittedly a wet kilt is uncomfortable, but not so uncomfortable as wet trousers. It is further claimed, from experience, that the kilt has many advantages over ' trousers. For instance, when going into :the line, men had often to wade through water in the .long communication trenches. The . ' Highlander, without difficulty, tucked up his kilt or carried it over his shoulder. ,, The result was that he reached the front line ; comparatively dry, while the man in trousers was wet well up his legs with the water slowl y creeping; up the cloth, and would remain wet for the three or four days he was in the line. The'kilted units were often sorry "for them : as ..there is nothing . worse than being wet,,- . Other: instances, could be given where the \ kilt .proved superior , to trousers ' in French warfare . ' :¦/ ¦ -:-:' : .;<-.. ' . - .'.-V'ln the last war. kilted.battalions-did-.nbt suffer more' severely:' from: the 'effects ' of: gias than trousered -units.":It.is-admitted-by' gas experts that there is no clothing (either trousers or kilts) that it cannot penetratetherefore trousers are no safer than kilts." "NO SOUND REASON FOR ABOLITION " It is contended that, so far, no sound reason has been given for abolishing the kilt, unless it is to save a little trouble in connection with the distribution. ' " If it- is intended to retain the kilt as a peace-time dress, why should it be withdrawn 'from regiments in Egypt, India, and China, which are practically on a peacetime footing, and are unaffected by the war in France." asks the circular. " In these countries the kilt has been worn with distinction for generationsand is now to be substituted by khaki shorts—a definitely less healthy dress in climate with hot days and cold nights. " Scotsmen must, realise that if the kilt is once abolished for active serviceit will disappear for ever. At the conclusion of this war—as in the past—there will be a strong demand for stern economyand it would be hard to resist the plea that if the kilt is to be regarded as merely a ceremonial dress its retention would not be justified. " We musttherefore, insist that the kilt be neither withdrawn nor abolished until the whole question has been examined by a Select Committee, largely composed of Scotsmen, as it is one which directly affects Scotland. ¦ It is added that, if necessary, they must appeal to His Majesty the King. The circular is signed on behalf of the Glasaow Hiehland Societies bv: — Col. Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Col. Sir Iain Colquhoun, Bt.of Luss; Col. Sir Colin W. MacRae of FeoirlinnCol. Sir Robert C. Mackenzie, Col. A. K. Reid, Lieut.-Col. \V. D. Macrae, Lieut.-Col. Norman MacLeod, Capt, Campbell (the Highlanders Institute), Capt. Wm. MacLean (the Clan MacLean), Mr M. F. Matheson (Gairloch and .Loch Broom, tes-shire)Mr Robert -Bain (Ross and Cromarty Association), Mr Thomas Cameron (the Clan Cameron.) The following support the appeal against the withdrawal of the kilt until the question has been fully investigated:— The Duke of Argyll, the Duke of Sutherlandthe Marquess ' of Ailsa, .the Earl of Airliethe Earl of Elgin, the Earl " of Home, Earl of Mar and Kellie, Lord LovatLord Glentanar, Sir Godfrey Macdonald of the IslesSir John-Lome. Macleod; Maclachlan of Maclachlan. General 'Sir John Burnet-StuartGeneral Sir Frederick Campbell, General Sir Ian Hamilton- General Sir Torquhil Matheson, Lieut-General Sir F. W. N. M'CrackenMajor jGeneral John Campbell, Major-General Sir Gerald C. Kitson, Major-General Sir Colin.Mackenzie,-Major-General Sir Henry F. ThuillierBrig.-General W. H. L, Allgood, Brig.-General ' Sir Norman Orr Ewing, .Brig.-General ,J. L. R.'Gordon, Brig.-General Patrick W. Hendry, Brig.-General Ian Stewart, Brig.-General M. Grant Wilkinson ,' Col. H. T. BaillieCol. Thomas Fraser, Co). Sir Viptor A. FMackenzieCol. LMackirinon , Col. William Robertson, Col. Sir George Stirling, Lieut.-Col. D. Campbell of InverneillLieut.-Col: Lord Dudley Gordon, Lieut.-Colonel Colin M. Mackenzie, Lieut.-Col. W. M. Stewart; Lieut.-Col. J. A. SymonLieut.-Col . T. G. Tavlor. Lieut.-Col. E. W. Watt The . City-of ^ Glasgow Central War Relief Fuh ' d ;now- ^stands* at £14,185.'.'-Recent .donations received, by Lord ?royost,P. J. Dollan at the-City Chambers amount- to * £301. They include * subscriptions of £100 each from Fred. Braby & Co.; Ltd., and Mr: John Lawrence.'