Carry on up the Khyber

[TimeTinker]

I have just taken delivery of twelve white (FSH) pith helmets.  One is set aside for myself and one each for Peter and Herr Doktor.  I am willing to let four more go at cost price to people who are enlisting in the 3rd Foot & Mouth at a cost of just £14 which covers the cost price and delivery to me.  The rest will go on general sale at future steampunk events.

The helmets will be available for collection at The Sizzler, Asylum or future gatherings. 

[Angus A Fitziron]

Thank you Major. I absolutely understand your reference to it being a 'statement' tartan and infer no disrespect. However it is a family legacy that I am proud of! It was primarily the brightness of the plaid that prompted me to choose the hunting tartan, which I think is a fairly modern invention and therefore unlikely to have any regimental connection at all. Wearing the full dress tartan would rather isolate the wearer and make him an obvious target in any hostile situation, although this would not, of course, be of any consideration for a true "Devil in Skirts".

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I'm the one on the left!

From what I recall, my father's local regiment was the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, which had a very honourable history, including the period under discussion. Still, as a dyed in the wool tinkerer, (its in the blood!) he went on to serve in the Royal Corps of Signals, so despite being a 'jock' he had no highland regimental association and the question of tartan never arose.

Thank you for the advice ~ I don't think I would see myself in a historic re-enactment situation, but I have a lot of respect for those who serve and therefore any 'dressing up' has to take account of the sensibilities of those who did. For example, although a Black Watch badge would be suitable, I am not sure I would feel comfortable with one. My intention is to make a steamy one to my own design when I can get round to it!

[sebastian Inkerman]

As per my previous post, can I reserve a helmet? Would it be possible to pick it up on Saturday at Kelamrsh if we are all meeting up?

Enlistment papers are in the post. I'll also be looking at gettign some patterns together for the harder to source stuff so I can offer making services to people should they require it.

[Major Wolfram Quicksilver]

PM sent, Major.

[TimeTinker]

The Buchanan hunting tartan will fit admirably blending in well with both the Mackenzie and the Stewart.

Tartans and family heritage are, of course, an area of immense pride and prickly reserve. I would never be knowingly disrespectful* to a clan, sept, family or tartan. Heck our ancestors fought many a fued and war over just such things.

My own family tartan is the Shaw which even though it is one of the 100 Clans it is not possible to get a budget kilt.  The cheapest I have found is £300 still a good kilt is for life as they say (as long as the waistline doesn't spread too far.)  The Mackenzie tartan I wear for military reasons rather than familial.

The contribution of Highland regiments to the history and success of the British Empire is immense and deserves to be celebrated and commemorated.  Recent changes and amalgamations have consigned much of this legacy to the history books and I beleive that seeing uniforms recreated at events be they performances, re-enactments or commemorations makes this history both accessible and educational provided it is done with respect hence my insistence on matching correct glengarries and badges etc for those who wish to do so.

I should point out that if you were to drop into virtually any Highland Regiment at almost any point in the last 200 years you will find a large number of sassenach and others serving proudly, adopting the heritage and traditions and being willing to lay down their lives for their comrades.  Whole batallions were raised in Yorkshire during the last war for example. I also have a number of photographs of the Seaforths on their return from India in 1903 with around 100 Indians serving in the ranks as kilted highlanders.

The 3rd Foot and Mouth is obviously a comedic unit from a cult film.  Jokes were made but the Carry On people were very keen not to offend.  The themes of saucy humour and British stoic reserve have been common to soldiers in the British Army for centuries.  This is an homage to the heritage of the forces in the way servicemen understand best - through humour. I think it would be appropriate if the unit adopted the VSS' preferred charity "Help for Heroes" or some other military charity as a way of demonstrating clear respect for those who have served and do serve today.  Obviously the phrase "we sleep soundly in our beds because our soldiers are willing to put themselves in the way of harm" has a deep personal resonance particularly with our lad preparing for his second tour in Afghanistan as I type this.

That is the serious side of things but this project will undoubtedly be a lot of fun.  

Of course we can parade as the Foot and Mouth at The Asylum.

Pith helmets are currently reserved therefore for myself, Peter, Ian and Mark (I will deliver to Kelmarsh). I am happy to save one for you Dene - does that mean you are joining us in this project? Please pay for helmets on collection folks.

Oswald, fear not about your legs, kilt hose and gaiters are marvellous things. Welcome to the Regiment.  (Helmet reserved too.)  

It seems I have one FSH left going. (Don't worry I can get more).  Recruits to the colours in need of a helmet?

Anyone able to identify the tune played by the piper in the battle scene shown previously in this thread.  I think we should have it as the quick march.  We could really do with a piper.  Anyone play?  Lady Elsie is not too happy about me playing, something to do with noise, and animal cruelty.







*Well I can envisage an argument or fight spilling over perhaps, particularly with a Comyn.

[OswaldBastable]

I may be entirely mistaken but I think I remember reading that the term 'Suffolk Highlander' has been used to describe englishmen serving in Scottish regiments; have I just imagined this?

[Miss Groves]

Mr Bastable, you could always wear longjohns to cover up your knees....

[Capt. Dirigible]

Can any Latin scholars translate the original 3rd Foot and Mouth regimental  motto?
Illud carduus es periculosus procerus.

[Major Wolfram Quicksilver]

Scots arrrrrmy drrrrrrrrress sporrrrrrrrrrran:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRITISH-ARMY-SCOTTISH-SPORRAN-BLACK-LONG-WHITE-TASSLES-/270575561553?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item3eff8f6b51

Notice what I did there?  Rolling my 'r's?  And you lot thought it was just the way I walked!

Yes, Major, this means I am enlisting as one of the OR in the 3rd Foot and Mouth.  Gaitors and scottish hose purchased already, the rest to be sorted as and when funds allow.

[TimeTinker]

Can any Latin scholars translate the original 3rd Foot and Mouth regimental  motto?
Illud carduus es periculosus procerus.

"That thistle is dangerously tall".  Very useful as a second motto and I have reincluded it in the Regimental history.

According to the film the official motto of the 3rd is "Always Ready For Action" a typical Carry On double entendre referring to chaps going naked beneath their kilts thus being able to partake of "tiffin" whenever offered.  I changed the motto slightly in the latin since it literally means "Ever Ready For Action"

With regard to sporrans - at £60 each the dress sporrans are lovely but pricey and indeed they are available from the seller I referred people to earlier.  The day sporran at $25 (£18) is much more affordable and also suitable for re-enactment should people so wish.  We may be able to negotiate a discount with the seller though on a batch. Anyone want to drop him a line?

As for rolling of rrrrrrs.  It is worth remembering that the film's title and plot is reputedly inspired by one of the writers hearing cockney rhyming slang of Khyber Pass/Arse  (although this doesn't work with my accent)   The distrobutors wanted to call it Carry On Regiment since they felt the title may be a little offensive.

[OswaldBastable]

Mr Bastable, you could always wear longjohns to cover up your knees....

hehe could do or I'll just try not to look down, other people will just have to suffer

[Capt. Dirigible]

Scots arrrrrmy drrrrrrrrress sporrrrrrrrrrran:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRITISH-ARMY-SCOTTISH-SPORRAN-BLACK-LONG-WHITE-TASSLES-/270575561553?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item3eff8f6b51

Notice what I did there?  Rolling my 'r's?  And you lot thought it was just the way I walked!

Originally I was hoping to wear Highland military apparell (non specific regiment..I was thinking along the lines of some sort of fictional Highland Airship Corp)for the Ball at Asylum before all this 3rd Foot And Mouth re-enactment malarky kicked off. I have a Black Watch tartan kilt already (two in fact) a nice leather sporran with attached dangly bits (am I being too technical?) but nothing as fancy as the regimental dress sporran in the link above, a (badgeless) diced Glengarry, a khaki (badgeless) Pith and should be receiving in the post any day now the red and white  hose and military white gaiters. I also have a lovely brass 'airship within a cog' cap badge that I was going to attach to my Glengarry and get a couple of pheasant feathers to go behind it. At this point I am still minus a tunic of any description.

At £60 for the sporran..plus £40 for the khaki tunic..plus white pith helmet..plus kilt with correct tartan and various accoutrements this 'bit of fun' is turning out to be quite expensive. I love the idea of forming a 3rd Foot and Mouth regiment and want to be part of it but I don't think my funds will stretch that far I'm afraid.

[Major Wolfram Quicksilver]

I'm not sure my 3rd F+M outfit will be ready for the Asylum, enough going out already, but for New Years?

[TimeTinker]

I am not encouraging anyone to spend money they don't have.  The problem with a uniform is it has to be that, uniform.  Standardisation is everything.  I am laying this out in order to make the costs obvious. (Notes in italics are for the benefit of Cliff)

Having a unit of troops who look alike would be perfect for appearances and potential fund raisers as well as just having fun.  I have been tempted to arrange an invitation for us to something like the Forces Fun Day at Colchester Garrison or other charity events.

As for an itinerary: members of the 3rd Foot and Mouth could of course wear their uniforms wherever they wished.  I am happy to arrange a parade and/or programme feature at The Asylum.  New Year would be a perfect opportunity too and of course we are looking at a pilgrimage to the Khyber Pass (Watkin's Path) in the spring.  A return to Crich next July would be an obvious choice too.

To go back over my recommendations:

Khaki drill jacket and day sporran  £50                   (You would need these Captain but as you say you need a tunic anyway.)
Kilt (Blackwatch, Seaforth or other similar)  £40                                           (You already have this Sir)
Gaiters, hose (Ebay)  £35                             (Again you already have these)                                                                              
Boots (Replicaters)  £38                               (Not too worried about these for the moment)
White pith helmet FSH (from me) £14                    (This you would need.)
3rd Foot badge  (from supplier listed)  £12.50   (Again you would need unless we all agreed for The Asylum to go without)
Total cost to outfit as a soldier of the 3rd:  £189.50

Total additional cost to be able to use this outfit for serious re-enactment should someone wish:  £22  (Glengarry and badge)

Cost for Captain D to upgrade to fit in with the 3rd: £64  (jacket, sporran and FSH)  You could of course put your old sporran and pith helmet up for sale to recoup some of this and you do need a tunic anyway.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Two Pith Helmets are essential, khaki for the week, white for sunday best

[Capt. Dirigible]

Two Pith Helmets are essential, khaki for the week, white for sunday best

You're not helping, Mr Harrow!

I am not encouraging anyone to spend money they don't have.The problem with a uniform is it has to be that, uniform

Oh absolutely..I fully understand what you're saying Major. and completely agree and I can assure you, I've NEVER needed encouragement to spend money I don't have!

[TimeTinker]

White for best and in the week!  Nothing quite like being smart is there?

I am working with Lady E on making up some Khaki drill covers for the helmets as were worn during the 2nd South African (Boer) War.  Nice and historically accurate for serious re-enactment but also a fun addition to the uniform for everyday wear.  May be able to add neck curtains too.

Might it be possible to whiten your existing helmet Sir using that stuff made for tennis shoes?  Alternatively I would wager you could recoup the £14 cost of a white one on the bring and buy at The Asylum with your beige one.

(Attempting to be helpful...)

[sebastian Inkerman]

If I can get hold of some fabric for the gaiters, they don't look too hard to make.

[Capt. Dirigible]

Might it be possible to whiten your existing helmet Sir using that stuff made for tennis shoes?  Alternatively I would wager you could recoup the £14 cost of a white one on the bring and buy at The Asylum with your beige one.

(Attempting to be helpful...)

Oh, you've gone far beyond 'helpful', Major. I am incredibly grateful for all the info, suggestions and helpful links you've posted. I'm sure I'll get it all together in time, if not for Asylum*, at least for the trip to Wales.








*But I will try

[Danbury Shakes]

Of course, if your going as Private Widdle you'll need these:

http://www.thecostumestore.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/TheCostumeStoreOnline/_TNK11-09/90167/Trunks

[Miss Groves]

if you have trouble getting the gaiters, just show me a picture and give me some measurements and i'll do my best to make them

[ladyelsie]

Dear Mr Shakes,

I will be inspecting all the troops in person to make sure they are all 'regimental' and conform to standard. Along with,  what I am sure, will be a bevvy of willing volunteers.

Lady Elsie.

[RoseOak]

What about the Ladies?

[TimeTinker]

Ladies who wish to be involved may of course outfit themselves suitably as members of the garrison's female complement or indeed as members of the Khazi's household.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Ladies who wish to be involved may of course outfit themselves suitably as members of the garrison's female complement or indeed as members of the Khazi's household.

A pair of small saucepan lids and three gauze scarves should do for the Khazi's ladies. We really need an emoticon for the Sid James laugh.