Uniforms

[Ted]

I'm not sure if they had a cadet branch as such - but they did have reserve battalions which were formed from militia units and territorial ones (part time units)The Glasgow Highland Regiment (sub unit of HLI) was one such unit - made up originally from 'ex-pats' from further north in Scotland - their uniform was slightly differernt to HLI regulars in early 1900s as it was based on Black Watch Kilt /tunic and Badge with HLI tam.

Ted

[HeatherH]

To make things more confusing, as you know the more posts you make the more answers. So I also made a post on The Great War Forum. There a gent found a picture of 3 brothers in the same uniform HLI. It would seem Grandpa was photographed in the uniform of the 6th HLI which makes sense as he looks so young, he was living in Glasgow till 1901 for sure. Then his Auntie moved back to Argyll, but his brother was still in Glasgow till he immigrated in 1907. I know his Mum had moved back to Argyll by 1911 census where she is living with her daughter . I also found out Grandpa wasn't in India with the 2nd Gordon's on the 1911 census . Instead he is in Goojarat Barracks at Colchester, with none other than the 1st Gordon Highlanders. And I keep finding items .

[Ted]

=D> brilliant stuff - one thing always leads to another doesn't it. I suppose that's really why once you start on genealogy it becomes a never ending story.

Ted

[HeatherH]

Very true Ted. I know of people who want to see how many they can get in their tree or how far back, if they have a royal link or a hero. For me its about learning all I can about the people. Not just the names, dates and places. I want some meat and potatoes to fill it out and now and again my ancestors toss me a well savoured dessert by allowing me a real find of a record like a newspaper item, or kirk record or something on the back of a photo or pressed in a bible.
When my parents immigrated to Canada they pretty much had to start their lives from scratch. There wasn't a lot they could bring with them. Dad had come over 1st with just a suit case ,and they lost that when he was boarding the ship, The Fair Sea. He was lucky that a fellow traveller loaned him a shirt so he had 1 to wear and one to wash, and bought a razor and tooth brush from ships stores. His case was found when he reached Montreal.

Mum followed after Dad had gotten work and a place for his wee family to live. With a toddler , a baby and 1 on the way Mum didn't have much room in the trunk she brought .But, what she did bring was priceless. Photos and memories. My great, great grandmothers wedding ring. Engraved "AQ to JRY 23rd July 1868" How many afternoons did we talk of the ring and wonder at great great gran Janet Youngs middle name. 1 of my sisters decided Rose, lol I remember how excited Mum was when I found her birth and its Rankin, thus giving us anothertid bit to guess at. Grandpa Johnstone's Gordon Hat badge (which is now proudly mine) And the (supposed) ruby hat pin and tie tack made from a ruby brought back from Africa by my great grand uncle who we were told later died on the Titanic. We never knew how much was true about the ruby, but his connection to the Titanic was what got me started on my quest when I was just 12. Writing letters and doing research. We weren't even sure of a name , just that it was my gran's (Mum's Mum) Uncle Willie. no last name. I cracked that when I found the death of my great grand fathers brother , not on the Titanic but the Illova just as it rounded the Coast of Africa on the way home. So yes he died on a ship, but It wasn't the Titanic. Nor was it a disaster, but from illness. So the ruby, that was split to make the hat pin and tie tack, who knows. I know Mum never worried about it, to her they were just keepsakes passed down from her mum. I know that's how I have always felt. But, it all gives that little bit extra to have a wee story like that to go with the bare bones.

[HeatherH]

The more I dig and google, the more I find. And its all so interesting. Today I discovered Glasgow Academy started a Cadet Corps in 1902 that was tied to 1st V.B.H.L.I (1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry) From the Glasgow Academy website I got a link...

http://www.theglasgowacademy.org.uk/fps ... le-archive

its for The Glasgow Academy Chronicle issue by issue starting before any suggestion of a Cadet Corps 1899 and continuing till 1981. I read of past students who were away fighting in the Boer War , then the beginning of the Cadet Corps and HLI. Then reading of the beginning f WW1 and a students list of things lads at the school could and should do to help out and be useful including study and work hard, Use some of their pocket money for injured soldiers and taking up knitting mittens, scarves and Cholera belts. These issues mention past students and Cadent Corps who sign up, get injured, taken POW or died. Issues mention Military promotion and all sorts of interesting articles as well as the football results, cricket club, debate society. No, I haven't found mention of my Grandfather (yet) but I'm so interested in this insight for this time period as it happens rather than a book or report written years later. But also interesting is the author (s) of the articles are young lads from the school.
I also found more pictures of lads and men in the same uniform as my Grandfather in the solo picture. The only difference would be his bonnet, but the pictures are for 1908-1914 and if this picture of my Grandfather has been taken while a school lad at Glasgow Academy (which was about 20-25 minutes away from when he lived with his family) then it is of him as a Cadet about 15-17 years old between 1904-1906. which may be why he isn't wearing the Glengarry.

[HeatherH]

The International Committee of the Red Cross has opened its on line data base for WW1 POW's on time as promised.

http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/

I've had a fantastic time hunting and digging with all sorts of results.... all free.

[Ted]

I've been waiting for POW info for a long time and now have found info on my great uncle who was reported as missing in action on 13 Nov 1916. Great site Heather and even better being free.

Ted