STAR OBJECTS

The Cameronian Regimental collection consists of over 12,000 items, which range from photographs and diaries to uniforms, silverware and medals. As the Museum can only display a small proportion of its collection at any one time, this page of the website showcases some of the unique objects from the collection.

Please click on the images to view larger size.

SILVERWARE

Goblet of the 26th Regiment

This thistle-banded goblet is one of a set used by the 26th Regiment, later 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Newly commissioned Officers would present a solid silver goblet to the Regiment, although it often took them several years to pay for it, on a junior officer's salary. Unfortunately this goblet has been so over-polished that the inscription can no longer be read, and much of the thistle detail has been smoothed off.

Horse’s Hoof Ashtray

The hoof used to make this ashtray was taken from Kitty, the charger used by Major General Sir P.R. Robertson during the First World War. The horse’s name is inscribed on the silver plate on the front of the hoof, and on the top is an outline of Robertson’s service history with the regiment. He took the 1st Battalion to France in 1914, then commanded the 19th Infantry Brigade, 17th Division and VII Corps before commanding the 52nd (Lowland) Division from 1919 to 1923.

The hoof would have been taken from the horse after its death in order to make this souvenir, a practice which was particularly popular during Victorian times. Although it seems like quite a gruesome way to commemorate an animal, it was not uncommon for horses’ hooves to be used for ashtrays, snuff boxes or inkwells. This way, officers could take a memento of their military service into everyday life. These items could also be used for ceremonial purposes, such as in the Officers’ Mess for example.

Bugle

Engraved ‘In loving memory of Capt. B.R. Bradford Martin’, this bugle with a regimental crest was presented to the Museum by Captain Bradford Martin’s mother. It is one of eight matching embossed and engraved bugles which were presented to the 1st Battalion in 1953, in memory of Captain Bradford Martin who was killed in action while serving in Burma in April 1942.

Douglas Cup

Sporting competitions were an important part of the social life of a Cameronian. This trophy is engraved ‘To the Officers of the Cameronians, 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles from Captain G.S. Douglas on leaving the regiment, 27th April 1888 to be run for annually’. It is engraved with the winners of the cup, who include Captain C.N. Barclay who later wrote Volume Three of the regimental history and Lieutenant R.G. Collingwood who rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General and was Colonel of the regiment from 1964 to 1968.

The donor of the trophy, Captain Douglas, joined the 26th Regiment in 1876 and rose to the rank of Captain by 1883 before retiring in 1888.

Cigar Box

This cigar box was presented by officers of the 8th Battalion to Lieut. J.F. Gourlay on the occasion of his marriage in April 1927. The silver box is inscribed with the Cameronian crest and the signatures of the officers.

Gourlay had a distinguished military career, later serving with the Territorial Army and was granted honorary Lieutenant Colonel. He was mentioned in dispatches twice in 1941.

Boxing Trophy

This trophy was awarded in 1937 to the boxing team from the 1st Battalion of the Cameronians in the Army & R.A.F. Boxing Association (India) Team Championships. The 1st Battalion served in India from 1931 until the end of the Second World War.

Ram’s Horn Snuff Box

Made from a polished ram’s horn, this unusual snuff box was presented to the Officers’ Mess in 1807 by Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell. The item may have had a ceremonial function, being used at regimental dinners, for example. Snuff was first used in Scotland before spreading to the rest of the U.K, making this seem like a particularly appropriate object to be used by officers from a Scottish regiment.

A ram’s horn mounted in silver was a popular type of snuff box, or snuff ‘mull’ (a word taken from Scots dialect) in Scotland. They were often embellished with cairngorms, a semi-precious stone.

UNIFORM

Officer's Mess Jacket & Vest

This Mess Jacket and Vest date to around 1860 and would have been worn by an officer. The jacket has the markings of 90th Perthshire Light Infantry and includes a campaign ribbon on the left breast for the Indian Mutiny.

Officer's Cap of the 26th Regiment

This cap is part of an undress uniform, as worn by an officer of the 26th Regiment. The dragon motif on the front of the cap refers to the regiment's service in China in 1840. The 26th was one of three British regiments who fought in the First China War.

Helmet of The Cameronians

This helmet was worn by officers of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) between 1882 and 1892. The helmet was topped with a detachable spike, which is not included in this photograph. Following the amalgamation of the 26th and 90th regiments in 1881, the uniform adopted elements of both regiments as well as taking on its own unique character.

Shako of the 90th Regiment

This magnificent shako would have been worn by an officer of the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry, and dates to the 1860s. The plume is made of horse hair.

Shako of The Cameronians

This shako previously belonged to Lieutenant-General Sir George Collingwood. It was donated to the Museum along with its original carrying tin. Collingwood joined The Cameronians in 1923 as Second Lieutenant, progressing through the ranks until he became Lieutenant-General in 1958. He retired in 1961 but was Colonel of the Regiment from 1964 until its disbandment.

Shako Tin

This is a metal travelling tin, which would have been used to protect the shako from damage in transit. It belonged to Captain Collingwood - his name is painted on the top - and would originally have housed the shako above. The tin still retains a label on the side from a trip to Burma in the 1930s.

CERAMICS

Moustache Cup & Saucer

For the distinguished gentleman in Victorian England, drinking tea and coffee presented a problem. The steam from hot beverages melted the wax which was applied to moustaches in liberal quantities, making it drip into the moustache-wearer’s drink. In the 1860s, the English potter Harvey Adams invented the Moustache Cup. This included a ledge, called a ‘moustache guard’, on which the moustache rested while the beverage could be sipped through a semi-circular opening.

This Moustache Cup and Saucer was presented to Colonel Joseph Henry Laye of the Cameronians. Laye began his military career as Ensign in the 90th Regiment of Foot in 1867, and progressed through the ranks until he became a Major-General, and was Colonel of the Regiment from 1910 to 1918. Laye died in 1938, aged 89. In his obituary in The Covenanter, Colonel Aubrey Maude wrote:

            “We used to think of Laye as the best Adjutant in the Service. I think it was his    

              commonsense and kindly heart made him so, and carried him to the front.

             These qualities and a great knowledge of his work made all the Non-          

              Commissioned Officers devoted to him.”

Crockery Set

This crockery set of a coffee cup, saucer and side plate would have been used in the Sergreant's Mess. They are marked with the regimental crest and words 'Serjeants Mess'.

Dinner Plate of 90th Regiment

This gilt-edged dinner plate features the crest of the 90th Regiment in the centre. It would have been used by officers rather than the general rank-and-file.

ART

Miniature of Captain William Cartwright

Captain William Cartwright joined the 90th Regiment of Foot in 1794, the year of the raising of the regiment. In June of that year, the 90th embarked at Fife for Netley camp near Southampton, with Cartwright on board the transport ‘Alliance’ as Ensign. He was made Lieutenant in October and the 90th later served in France, Gibralter and Minorca. In 1801, Cartwright fought in the Battle of Mandora in Egypt during the Napoleonic Wars. He was one of eight officers from the 90th wounded in battle and was amongst the officers present in Egypt who received a gold medal from the Sultan in recognition of services rendered to the Ottoman Empire. Cartwright later became Captain before leaving the regiment at the end of 1802 to become Captain in the newly-raised 7th Royal Garrison Battalion. He died on Guernsey in 1821.

SOUVENIRS AND MEMENTOS

Cigarette Packet

Sometimes the most humble of objects can be the most poignant. This item is part of a Player’s Cigarette Packet, fragile and creased. On the reverse of the packet the following message is written in pencil: 'For services rendered and seeing me safely into the dressing station 31-7-17 signed R.A. Anderson 2nd Lt. 2nd Scottish Rifles'.

The cigarette packet was donated to the Museum amongst a group of items relating to Private George Gould. The message was written by Roderick Andrew Anderson who later became Captain of the 2nd Battalion, and went on to enjoy a distinguished military career, including winning the Military Cross. The War Diary for the 2nd Battalion shows that Andrews was among 8 officers and 138 soldiers from other ranks who were wounded on the 31st July 1917 near Ypres. George was killed in action on the 6th January 1918 and is buried at Passchendaele New British Cemetery.

Key Trophy

The Khyber Pass can be found in the Hindu Kush mountain range between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It has traditionally been regarded as a major trade route between South Asia and Central Asia, as well as a ‘key’ military position, including its use by invaders of India. This wooden and metal item is a souvenir or trophy, marked with the date of 1936 as well as ‘26’ and ‘90’, to refer to the two regiments which combined to form the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). The metal plates at either end of the key are inscribed with officers’ signatures on both sides.

From March to November 1936 the 1st Battalion was stationed in Landi Kotal, the highest point of the Khyber Pass on the North-West Frontier. Although now a tourist destination, the area was at that time in deepest tribal territory. It was described in Volume III of the Regimental History as

“a true out-post of Empire, the home of the Pathan rifle thief and a place where every military precaution is necessary.”

'Souvenir of Egypt' Embroidered Cloth

Whilst serving abroad in the First World War, soldiers would send photographs and gifts home to their loved ones. This cloth is an example of the unique souvenirs available to soldiers serving in Egypt, embroidered with the places the regiment had served, the regimental crest and incorporating a photograph of the soldier. Unfortunately we do not know the identity of the soldier in the photograph, although his uniform indicates that he was a Sergeant and the embroidered battle honours tell us that he served in the 7th or 8th Battalion.

12th Battalion Calendar

This Calendar for 1942 includes sketches of officers from the12th Battalion. Clockwise from top right are RSM E. Conner, Lieutenant (QM) H.J. Nunn, Captain (Adjutant) W.M. Simpson, Captain (Reverend) J.B. Colman with Lt. Col. A.T. Coltart MC at the centre. On the reverse of the calendar is written: "With all the best wishes for a Happy New Year to Mr and Mrs Paterson from Bill"

The 12th Battalion formed at Lanark Racecourse on the 29th May 1940, under the command of Lt. Col. A.T.Coltart M.C. They trained in Lanark until October 1940 when they moved to Lossiemouth and later to Caithness the following year to form part of the Orkney and Shetland Defences. In February 1942 Lt. Col. Coltart vacated command on promotion and was succeeded by Lt. Col. H. P. Macklay. Under his command, the Battalion spent a year in the Faroe Islands, but on their return to the U.K in May 1943 the battalion was disbanded, to great disappointment to all ranks who were dispersed to other battalions.

Of the five men pictured on this calendar, all survived the war except W.M. Simpson, who later became Major, and was killed in Italy on 12th May 1944.

BANNERS

The Bluidy Banner

One of the oldest items in the Cameronian collection, this banner was carried in the Covenanter’s army by William Cleland at the Battles of Drumclog and Bothwell Brig in 1679. Cleland was then scarcely eighteen years of age, fighting at Drumclog as an Officer of Foot and at Bothwell Brig as Captain.

Made of blue silk, the banner is inscribed at the top with gilded Hebrew characters, which read ‘Jehovah-Nissi’ (The Lord is my Banner). The banner takes its name from the phrase at the bottom , written in blood red, which reads ‘No Quarters for Ye Active Enemies of Ye Covenant’.   

Colonel Cleland gave the banner and his sword to his friend Henry Hall of Haughhead at an unknown date, to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy. The items were passed down the generations to several zealous Covenanters until they reached the hands of the Raeburn Family from East Lothian, and were discovered by a Mr James Drummond around 1850. The banner eventually came into the possession of the regiment at a later date.

MISCELLANEOUS

Presentation Diary of Lt Col. Wilfrid Marryat Bliss

This wooden box contains the diary of Lt Col Wilfrid Marryat Bliss, Commander of the 2nd Battalion who died at the battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. Lt Col Bliss had served with The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) since 1886 when he joined as a Lieutenant, and was very highly thought of in the Regiment. His diary contains details about the impending attack at Neuve Chapelle and diagrams showing the planned tactical manoeuvres.

The diary was presented to the regiment by Evelyn Vandeleur, the wife of Colonel Vandeleur who was a close friend of Lt Col Bliss. The Battle of Neuve Chapelle is one of The Cameronians' proudest battle honours. Under very heavy fire the men charged the German trenches and continued to do so despite immediately suffering heavy casualties. This however came at a price; of the battalion that had gone into action some 900 strong on the morning of the 10th March only 143 remained at the end of the battle on the 14th March.

Collapsible Cup & Case

This small leather case houses a metal cup, which collapses to make it more compact when travelling. The metal handle locks the cup in place while in use. This kind of item may have been purchased by an officer for his own use, and would have been an invaluable item when travelling or serving abroad.

Water Bottle

This water bottle would have been used by soldiers of the British Army around 1875 to 1888.

Water Bottle

This water bottle dates from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. It was most likely an officer’s private purchase rather than being standard Army issue.

All photographs on this page are © South Lanarkshire Council Museums Service