Friday 24 October 2014

Hose-tops for Highland Regiments

From the Glasgow Herald, October 24, 1914.

HOSE-TOPS FOR HIGHLAND REGIMENTS.

APPEAL BY MARCHIONESS OF TULLIBARDINE.

The Marchioness of Tullibardine writes from London as follows:-

“May I make known through your columns that Lord Kitchener has asked me to collect 15,000 hose-tops for the men of the Highland Regiments at present serving with the Expeditionary Force?  These hose-tops are of a pattern approved by His Majesty the King, and are intended to replace those hitherto in use, as they are to be made long enough to pull over the knee in bad weather.  Though a kilt gives great warmth round the waist, those who are accustomed to wearing it in cold or damp will, I think, vouch for the disadvantages it must offer to men spending nights in wet trenches, and a chill at the knee is liable to spread upwards and chill the body.  Lord Kitchener therefore appeals to the women of Scotland to send these hose-tops to the Highland regiments by November 14.

As the time is so limited I shall be specially grateful for any donations which will enable me to place orders at once among the many fisher girls who have been deprived of their main source of livelihood by the war.

It will also be a great convenience if those who are willing to knit these hose-tops themselves will inform me without delay how many pairs they will undertake.  They are easily and quickly made, and require about 1½ (or 3 skeins) of wheeling or 2 cuts (i.e., 4 skeins) of fingering.  They should be made in khaki or in shades as near as possible to it—natural (undyed) and light heather mixtures being allowed.  Grey shades are not authorised.  ....

...I am sure that this appeal will not be made in vain to the women of Scotland and to the many who love our Scottish Highlanders on behalf of the soldiers who are representing them so gallantly on the field of battle....”

[A drawing of a hose-top appeared in Woman's Own magazine, with a knitting pattern.  I assume that the ones that Lady Tullibardine wanted were similar. 


The unemployed fisher girls have been mentioned before - here and here.]

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