Description
Physical description
Cap
Glengarry cap of black wool with blue toori, and white metal regimental badge to the left side.
Label
A Territorial battalion, the 14th (County of London), The London Regiment (London Scottish) were initially raised by Lord Elcho in 1859 as The London Scottish Rifle Volunteers. Composed of Scots living in the London area, their kilts were made of 'Hodden Grey' cloth instead of a tartan, said to avoid inter-clan rivalry. Having a distinguished history in the First World War (the 1/14th were the first Territorial battalion in action in October 1914 at Messines) the London Scottish became part of The Gordon Highlanders in 1916. In 1936 a second battalion was raised and a third in 1939, a heavy anti-aircraft unit composed of men who were on the waiting list to join the 2nd Battalion, and named 97th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, Royal Artillery, TA (The London Scottish). Until 1941 all three battalions were engaged in training and defence activities, but it was the 3rd (97th HAA Regt RA TA) that saw actual action during the Battle of Britain and the later German air offensives as part of London's anti-aircraft defences. The 1st Battalion went overseas in 1942 and fought in Sicily and Italy, whilst the 2nd, although never seeing service as a unit, supplied men for other battalions in the 51st Highland Division and after D-Day were organised to become a reserve battalion in the 48th Division. 97th HAA Regt RA TA (The London Scottish) converted to become a mobile anti-aircraft unit and served in Egypt from December 1942, before seeing action in Sicily and Italy, but was frequently deployed in a ground role. As in the First World War, many men who enlisted into The London Scottish took commissions and went on to serve with other regiments, branches and corps.
This Glengarry cap was worn by Thomas Pike who volunteered to serve in the Territorial Army in August 1939, joining the London Scottish at Chelsea. Commissioned, he was posted to a Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and later served at Rangoon and Mandalay during the Burma Campaign.
History note
A Territorial battalion, the 14th (County of London), The London Regiment (London Scottish) were initially raised by Lord Elcho in 1859 as The London Scottish Rifle Volunteers. Composed of Scots living in the London area, their kilts were made of 'Hodden Grey' cloth instead of a tartan, said to avoid inter-clan rivalry. Having a distinguished history in the First World War (the 1/14th were the first Territorial battalion in action in October 1914 at Messines) the London Scottish became part of The Gordon Highlanders in 1916. In 1936 a second battalion was raised and a third in 1939, a heavy anti-aircraft unit composed of men who were on the waiting list to join the 2nd Battalion, and named 97th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, Royal Artillery, TA (The London Scottish). Until 1941 all three battalions were engaged in training and defence activities, but it was the 3rd (97th HAA Regt RA TA) that saw actual action during the Battle of Britain and the later German air offensives as part of London's anti-aircraft defences. The 1st Battalion went overseas in 1942 and fought in Sicily and Italy, whilst the 2nd, although never seeing service as a unit, supplied men for other battalions in the 51st Highland Division and after D-Day were organised to become a reserve battalion in the 48th Division. 97th HAA Regt RA TA (The London Scottish) converted to become a mobile anti-aircraft unit and served in Egypt from December 1942, before seeing action in Sicily and Italy, but was frequently deployed in a ground role. As in the First World War, many men who enlisted into The London Scottish took commissions and went on to serve with other regiments, branches and corps.
This Glengarry cap was worn by Thomas Pike who volunteered to serve in the Territorial Army in August 1939, joining the London Scottish at Chelsea. Commissioned, he was posted to a Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and later served at Rangoon and Mandalay during the Burma Campaign.