Hi all. Could someone please confirm that the pattern kilt worn below is the one shown in the accompanying colour diagram. If not could someone kindly direct me to the right pattern. Would also like to know the colour of the ribbon hanging from the socks. Finally is there a guide available on painting Tartans? Any help much appreciated. Thank You.

James

Hi,

From the picture i would hazard a reasonable guess that the kilt shown is a MacKenzie tartan - this was worn by the Seaforth Highlanders and some battalions of the Highland Light Infantry (HLI).

Essentially the MacKenzie tartan uses the Black Watch (government) tartan as it's base and lays red and white stripes across it.

Below are some urls to articles on tartan and painting tartans:

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/ToySoldier/tartan.htm

http://www.pilipili-miniatures.com/pages_global/pages%20TARTAN/TARTANS-UK.htm

http://www.tartansauthority.com/

Further to my above post... the picture you have posted was taken on the Utrechtseweg, opposite the junction with the Bredeweg, at 08:00 on Monday 18th September(Market Garden). The kilted Captain James Ogilvie, commander of "D" Squadron The Glider Pilot Regiment talks with an officer whose identity has not been established with certainty. Although the sign in the bottom right indicates that he may be Lieutenant-Colonel Loder-Symonds, the Commander Royal Artillery, it is believed that it is more likely to be the commander of No.1 Wing The Glider Pilot Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Iain Murray.

Capt Ogilvie served in the 4th Gordons and then commanded D Squadron, No1 Wing GPR during the Battle of Arnhem. He is (i believe) the "Captain Z" mentioned in Lewis Haig's (Louis Hagen MM) book "Arnhem Lift" and whom I believe recommended Hagen for the Military Medal. Ogilvie was drowned attempting to cross the Rhine during the evacuation of the Oosterbeek perimeter, potentially weighed down by his kilt. He was posted missing after the battle, but his body was found ten months later and he is buried in the village of Rhenen cemetery.

What this means for your painting is that you should ignore my comments re the MacKenzie Tartan (red and White stripes) and lay in a thin yellow stripe across the green bands for a gordon's kilt.


The question is can you find out the name or parent unit of Ogilvie's batman/bodyguard semi hidden behind the telegraph pole - if he is from a different highland regiment this could give you a second kilt to paint!

Thank you James, It didn't occur to me that the other kilt being worn was of a different pattern. It most certainly looks to be a different pattern now that you mention it. Good spotting. I think I have enough info now to try my hand and the Gordon Tartan and have put a request in for Shep Paines book on painting figures at the local library as I recall it having a segment on painting Kilts.

Could you suggest the colour used on those ribbons hanging from the socks? The majority of pics I've found seem to show them in red? And I guess it would be good to know what colour the socks are, Have always assumed them to be khaki in colour. Again any help appreciated. Thank you very much mate

Hi James,

The flashes on the socks would indeed be red.

The socks would most likely be a pale green or light khaki colour...

The below picture captures this quite well. Also note the difference in how the kilt is worn between the officer and the NCO.



Let me know if i can be of any further asistance.

Ah, that's great, you've being a great help Jock! Thank you kindly and will keep you in mind if I have anymore queries. Thanks again

Being a Dutchman I regularly visit the spot to pay homage to this brave warrior. Just a few questions: Was Captain Ogilvie wearing a blouse (as shown on this webpage) or a battle dress (blouse) ? What about the boots and anklets ?

Regards,

Jan

Hi Jan, I just found this, should answer your question.





http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=96311

Thanks James for helping me out.