Lovats

[JR]

I considered myself very fortunate when I discarded the Khaki Battle dress for the new Lovat uniform,Hell I thought I was the 'Dogs Dinner', It put Royal a cut above the rest.During my years in the Marines what a change from Khaki Battle dress,Blue Battle Dress (ships),and the good old Commando standby the 'Dennison Smock',Wooly pullys and then the camouflage outfit,My how we have progressed over the years,some of us can remember when the various uniforms went by numbers but still Its not the uniform but the Man inside.The question is 'Lovats' answers please on a £10 note,(Harry no cheating). Aye JR

[Rogue Chef]

Ahoy there Jim!
What was the question?

[JR]

Sorry RC,Just one of my little fads?.It should have read why call em Lovats???.Aye JR

[Artist]

Was is to do with "The Lord Lovat" who was a Brig in the army commandos?

We were issued with two pair of Lovats. The rough uns (now gone) and the smooth uns. My favorite rig was Number 6's. The dogs boll*cks when in the good ole USA with dessy wellies not your shoes black two. orrible things just ruined the look!

American lady to two bootnecks just outside the dockyard Jacksonville. "Hi, say something in English please guys"
Answer; "could you show me and my friend a nice place to buy a drink".
Reply; "shucks yes! you can come to our place, we gotta pool and a bar!"

It only happened the once but it happened! (honest!)

Artist

[Andy O'Pray]

Jim, Would it be too simple an answer to say, because the colour is lovat green?

Back to Artist's digression. During recruit training and on leave in Scotland. My mate and I, dressed in blues, standing by the Rothsey pier, when up comes an elderly lady and gives us a donation to the Salvation Army. Memories of, "I am not a bus conductor, I am a Royal Marine".

Aye - Andy.

[JR]

Artist,Step forward You are correct, It was to do with "The Lord Lovat" Brigadier of No1 Commando Brigade, which by the way included 45 Royal Marine Commando.Bit of a lad was the Brigadier he disregarded a Order from High Command and ordered his Piper Pte Bill Millin to play the Brigade Ashore at Sword Beach June 1944,Lovat went into battle with a walking stick and ordered Piper Millin to play as the Ramps went down Piper Millin, age 21,and wearing the Kilt his father had worn in the first World War.Bill Millin,now 79, from Sandyhills, Glasgow,and now living in Dawlish Devon was awarded the DSO and MM. So good people if you have seen the film the 'Longest Day' dont believe all that you see?.Aye JR

Artist trapper of the year?

[JR]

Glad we got rid of that 'Ginger' Suit. And I quote,From 'In The Beginning'. And he gave them dress uniforms,sharp stylish ,handsome things,so they might profile with the ladies on a saturday night,and impress the hell out of everybody.Aye JR

[owdun]

The ginger suit I could live with, but the bloody webbing, devised by a woman who obviously hated the common soldier, was a total nightmare. The belt was always driven up into the solar plexus by the slightest exertion on the part of the wearer, unless he was carrying full ammo pouches, in which case the hips were rubbed raw. And as for gaiters, the least said the better.



Aye Owdun.

[Black Rat]

Any one EVER wear FULL lovats?????

i.e. Full suit, peaked cap and walking out cane. I never got issued a cane (like a provvy cane I think) and can't recall wearing a peak cap with lovats.

Well apart from the week I left when I dressed up in the lot and took lots of pics!!!!!

....and I believe the original Lovat Scouts wore a uniform known as lovat green.

[Pilgrim Norway]

Hoy Andy -

Good job the old dear didn't ask you for a 'War Cry'.....

You'd have scared her to death with your shout of Geronimo ...


Ginger suits were hairy things - mine had 'Bust 38' as a measurement.
I honestly believe that it was surplus from the Land Army girls - big blouse

Never did feel comfortable in it...Didn't take an ironing too well either....
remember the smell of damp, ironed ginger suit ?
Rubbing singed bits with half a crown to make it 'better'.....
Or - the feel of soggy denims ?

Two thousand years before the mob were issued with pockets at an angle,
making taking fags out easier...

The only improvement on the sandals from the time of our lord was that a
strop and buckle was sewn in over the instep - Royal henceforth to be known as 'Stroppy' ....

Still - I suppose that I had the best filled housewife on the block...

[Mike]

Aye Pilgrim....
As Juniors we were issued with the Ginger Suite.. as you say, my bust must have been a 38 double D and for a scrawny lad as I was then, and trying to look smart was not an easy task.
I remember the First drill or someone on our first inspection getting to me and there were tears in his eyes, one look down, his eyes raised to the heavens and he promptly marched away from the squad, he had only inspected 3 of us!
On Joining were were issued with green webbing and were expected to have them blackened (Boot Polish only) by our first Adjy's parade. Tthat included, Belt, Rifle sling, (No Rifle at that time)! and Gaters... Trying to get them Black from Green was neigh impossible.
I can't remember getting Lovats at Deal but possibly we were measured to receive them at Lumpstone.....

[Pilgrim Norway]

Hello Mike -

When were Lovats then - '63 ? I think they first came when I was with 43.

They'd have gone down better in Madison Square Gardens n '60 than the
shiny 'Tropicals' we had to wear - still - the Tropical Dress Uniform number (6?) was different and exotic - with the waistbelt at upper rib bone level..... complete with the breaking of the fingers and adams apple when fastening the collar - nice one.

[JR]

As Owdun will no doubt confirm upon completion of the Commando course at Bickleigh and prior to joining your Commando every one who joined the Brigade was issued with a Canadian Battle dress which better cloth and was a different colour (Greenish) I cant think of any other Regiment or Outfit Army wise or wore this Battle Dress but alas upon completion of your commish and on returning to the uk by that time they had worn out and we had to revert back to the 'Ginger' suit.Aye JR

[Sticky Blue]

I have worn full lovats on parade... rehearsals for horse guards parade and they were roasting.

This has to be the smartest rig in NATO!

Lovats are going to be gone soon and we are told that a new blues, like the officers, will be issued to replace Blues and Lovats... Oh, suit you sir!

[Mike]

Sticks.....surely that’s the No1s of a Bermudan Copper!!!!!
Pilgrim.... I'm not sure when the Lovats came in to service but I assume around the early 60s I must admit that I don’t remember the suits at Deal, but then I was trying hard in keeping myself together, and life at that stage as with the rest of my time was a blurr. Perhaps the Bandies had them?
I do remember that the old Great Coat went out when we arrived at Lympstone late 63, we were issued the old heavy serge type and would place them across our pits along with the next days uniform to keep us warm in those freezing Mansides(?)Huts. The ones that had the old Cast Iron burner in the centre which never got warm let alone hot and belched out smoke all the while when lit!!..... We were glad that they didn’t issue us the new type until the end of the winter..... February?