A to Z of The Highlanders’ Museum
Discover the wonderful items in our extensive collection through an A to Z guide; from glengarries to wine bottles, from the Battle of Ypres to Victoria Crosses, feed your curiosity and learn something new. If you’d like to uncover even more objects from our collection, you can view our Facebook Live event from May 2021, where guest speakers covered another A to Z of the collection.
A
In 18962, Sculptor George Gammon Adams created this white marble bust bust of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Duncan MacDougall of Soroba, Argyllshire (1788 – 1862), Commander of the 79th Cameron Highlanders 1833-5. This artwork may have been the bust exhibited at the Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts 1862.
B
This carved and painted wooden face was attached to a sign in Brunei, which said “British soldiers go no further”. It was picked up by Pte M Jacobs while on patrol in Brunei.
C
This carved wooden pipe with a silver trim is inscribed: “Boer S. African War 1899 to 1901”. The carving has a central circle with “RI” engraved. The pipe belonged to Fred Albert Bridson.
D
A drinking cup, shaped like a silver fox-mask associated with the The Royal Calpe Hunt of the British Crown Colony of Gibraltar and Colonel Lauderdale Maule of the 79th Highlanders 1845.
E
The eagle emblem featuring in the centre of this fringed Red Nazi flag.
F
‘F’ is for the flag of the Malayan National Liberation Army, in operation from 1948–60 and then from 1968–89.
G
A Glengarry is a traditional bonnet made of wool and decorated with a toorie, rosette cockade, and ribbons. This glengarry and badge belonged to Private C. J. Jerome, 4th Seaforth, and dates from 1917.
H
‘H’ is for hat: our collection featured this khaki hat with a peak, leather strap, and badge belonging to Robert Wilson of The Seaforth Highlanders.
I
This is an Italian vehicle sign, which was picked up by 5th Camerons in Sicily in 1943.
J
A photograph of Lance Corporal James R. MacMaster of the 6th Camerons, who was killed in action 5th August 1917.
K
‘K’ could only be for kilt! A true symbol of Scottish identity, this particular kilt is a MacKenzie tartan with its original kilt pin. This fantastic example of a Highlanders’ kilt is currently on loan to the Canadian War Museum, as part of their Highland Warriors exhibition.
L
When the Lovat Scouts were in the Faroe Islands, a German Heinkel III was shot down by Bren gun fire on 21 February 1941. Fragments of the bomber, including the number plate, cannon shell, and piece of bomb casing, can be found in our collection.
M
The Highlanders’ Museum is renowned for its staggering collection of medals. These particular medals were awarded to Sergeant T. MacKenzie, and can be identified as: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, a Military Medal (1939-45), The Africa Star, The Italy Star, The France and Germany Star, a Defence Medal, and a War Medal (1939-45).
N
Naval hat bands from German soldiers, mounted on a wooden board.
O
Did you know that these traditional feather bonnets are made from ostrich feathers? This examples shows a White hackle, Regimental St Andrews Badge on a Black Rosette.
P
This unusual, circular plaque is a memorial to Private Harry Howard of the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, who died 9th April 1918 aged 24. The plaque is inscribed with his name, and around the outside reads, “He died for freedom and honour”.
Q
This quiver, pictured here alongside a blowpipe and set of poisoned darts, would have been used by tribesmen in the Malayan jungle.
R
This roundel is a miniature portrait of an unidentified Officer. Portraits of this kind were frequently produced as mementos for families when a soldier was about to go abroad on active service. They often incorporate a lock of hair on the back. This roundel measures 3 inches in diameter.
S
This set of horse riding spurs belonged to Colonel E. G. Fraser-Tytler, a Lovat Scout in the 3rd Militia Battalion,.
T
This heavily patched tunic dates from 1900, and belonged to an unidentified Lovat Scout. A note found in the pocket reads, “Industrial work by a Lovat Scout to his coat on trek South Africa 1900”.
U
Uniform is a crucial part of military identity; this shoulder belt plate formed part of the uniform for Officers of the 1st Battalion.
V
This Victoria Cross was awarded to Lieutenant A. C. Bogle of the78th Highlanders. The Victoria Cross sits beside a medal for India General Service (Clasp: Persia) and an Indian Mutiny Medal (Clasp: Lucknow).
W
‘W’ is for wine! This 1983 white wine bottle, known as “The Berliner”, forms part of the Ramsay Collection and was dedicated to the British Military Train operated by 62nd Transport & Movement Squadron Royal Corps of Transport (Berlin).
X
‘X’ is always a tricky one, so we’ve gone with the theme of ‘Xmas‘. This Christmas booklet belonged to Private Charles Aikman of the 5th Camerons, in 1918. The booklet is Inscribed to Mr and Mrs Harvie, and includes Aikman’s handwritten notes on each page.
Y
Amongst a collection of documents and photographs which belonged to Lieutenant William Gordon Crask, 5th Seaforth, is this newspaper cutting re-printed from The Daily Mail, detailing ‘The Splendid Story of the Battle of Ypres‘.
Z
We’ve finally reached ‘Z’, and it’s time for some zzzzzzz’s… this bed plate belonged to Robert Wilson of The Seaforth Highlanders.