Talk:Lothians and Border Horse

Uniforms of the Period

The advent of battle dress in 1937 took the regiment still further away from the more colourful uniforms of the past, at least for a decade. On assuming the role of divisional cavalry in 1939, the 1st Lothians lost the privilege of wearing the cloth tank insignia and when the unit went to France in 1940, the only permissable ornamentation on the blouse was the sign of the 48th (T.A.) Division, the blue macaw on a red background. Apart from the cap badge, there was little, therefore, to distinguish the regiment from any other in the R.A.C. Webbing was given renewal coatings of Khaki Green No. 3, much the dullest of the war-time shades of blanco. However, some relief to the general drabness of khaki was given, when Col. Ansell decided that collar badges would be worn, at least by WOs and NCOs, during the period when the regiment served with the 51st (Highland) Division.

The reformed 1st Lothians chose the much greener shade of blanco for webbing equipment, thus adding a further distinguishing feature. Collar badges were also issued to all ranks. Sleeve badges, too, made a reappearance, worn on the chevrons (rather than above as in earlier times) by corporals and sergeants as an 'optional' extra, Those WOs who accepted the privilege, wore the gold-wire garb beneath their rank insignia.

French-grey cloth shoulder titles, bearing 'LOTHIANS & BORDER YEOMANRY' in yellow lettering further distinguished the unit for a short period after it was reformed. But, on joining the 79th Armoured Division, these were displaced, as Divisional Orders stipulated that Royal Armoured Corps cloth titles would be worn by all R.A.C. regiments in the division. In late 1944, this order was rescinded on the promptings of Col. James Dallmeyer and the regimental cloth titles restored.

The 2nd Lothians also adopted the French grey shoulder titles, in this case bearing 'LOTHIANS & BORDER HORSE'; but little else, apart from the divisional sign of the 6th Armoured Division, the mailed fist on a black background, was used to embellish the battle-dress blouse. During the period of the unit's service as a mobile machine gun unit, peaked or forage caps were worn by sergeants and above, whilst khaki field service caps were worn by other ranks. Both practices were later discontinued and the black beret substituted instead, although the peaked cap continued to be the more popular head-dress amongst the Second Line officers. Probably by mutual agreement between the respective Commanding Officers, provision was made for some distinction between the two lines in the matter of officers' service-dress. While both sets of officers wore French grey shoulder straps, only in the 2nd Lothians was the practice continued of having this traditional colour on the head-band of the peaked or forage cap. A number of officers also sported a French grey field service cap, edged with gold piping on off-duty occasions.

When the 2nd Lothians was disbanded in the spring of 1946, a large number of personnel were transferred to the 1st Lothians then stationed on the Luneberg Heath in Germany. Not surprisingly perhaps, this partial merger initiated a number of changes. A few weeks after the event, a single sentence announcement in Regimental Orders informed everyone that, henceforward the regiment would be known as the 'Lothians and Border Horse'. Thus L. & B.Y. shoulder titles disappeared. At the same time, the officers' service-dress was slightly modified, the French grey features being altered to a darker shade of blue. As the process of demobilization continued, the strength of the regiment was gradually reduced, but a further intake boosted numbers, when the Reconnaissance Regiment of the 52nd(Lowland) Division was amalgamated with the 'L. & B.' in April 1946. Even so, the period of embodiment for the Territorial Army was drawing to a close and the regiment went into temporary suspension in June of the same year. (Source: 'Sabres to Scout Cars - An Illustrated History of The Lothians and Border Horse' by Andrew S. Gardiner )

adding this content here as it does not make sense on the main page "The advent of battle dress in 1937 took the regiment still further away from the more colourful uniforms" seems this has been taken from a book but without references to the more colourful uniforms of before if just does not read right Jim Sweeney (talk) 18:56, 21 June 2008 (UTC)