WW1 1st Pattern Tyneside Scottish “Pals” Glengarry For Enlisted Ranks  

A superb and and rare WW1 1st Pattern Glengarry cap for enlisted ranks of the legendary Tyneside Scottish “Pals" of Battle of the Somme fame. 

Four such “Pals" Battalions from Newcastle-on-Tyne being raised in October 1914 by the Lord Mayor of the city in answer to Lord Kitchener’s call for war volunteers. 

Initially equipped solely from city funds, the Tyneside Scottish were only taken taken over by the War Department mid 1915 at which time the four battalions became the 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade of the 34th Division. 

Famously and tragically such city raised “Pals" Battalions were specially constituted battalions of the British Army comprising groups of men who had specifically enlisted together in local recruitment drives with the promise of being able to serve alongside their friends, thus remaining as such all the way to deadly battle. This as opposed to being split up and arbitrary allocated to different battalions as was usually the case. Under this premise, on Tyneside, reports of groups of friends marching ten miles into the city to enlist were common. 

On the 1st of July 1916, the first fateful day of the Battle of the Somme, the Tyneside Scottish Brigade suffered the greatest losses of any brigade deployed. This devastating Newcastle. The brigade's losses were so severe that on the 6th July it was withdrawn and transferred to the 37th Division. 

This Glengarry is the rare very first type bought by Newcastle's Battalions Committee in late 1914 to equip its first recruits. It is easily recognisable by the large Coat of Arms with Edwardian crown applied to the lining and the fact that proper silk is used for the lining, tails and trim as opposed to the faux silk used in Government examples. It has a dark blue body and dark blue tourie (pom pom), this the regimental pattern. 

Due to shortages in relation to the number of recruits, by mid 1915 the Tyneside Scottish were also being issued the Government’s all dark blue simplified “economy” Glengarry, as well as the Black Watch Glengarry with red tourie since they were affiliated to that regiment when the War Department took over equipping them.

The early Tyneside Scottish specific pattern as here however continued to be proudly worn by those who had them all the way up to the Battle of the Somme and beyond, this to distinguish their 1914 veteran status. It is the type most commonly seen on enlisted ranks in pre Battle of the Somme photos of the Tyneside Scottish.

On the left side the Glengarry has a 2nd Pattern pin-back Tyneside Scottish applied to the silk bow. This pattern was introduced by the Newcastle Battalions Committee in early 1915, it mandatorily replaced for all troops the 1914 Tyneside Scottish badge which was much smaller. This 1914 Glengarry having a 2nd Pattern badge applied illustrates it being worn at least until the Battle of the Somme. 

After the Battle of the Somme the Tyneside Scottish wore a square of Black Watch tartan behind their badge.

In excellent condition overall, the Glengarry retains its silk “tails” and correctly has no holes for a cap badge. As is usual for this type of badge, the brooch pin is pushed through the silk bow and the body of the Glengarry, but not through the lining. The badge displays clear signs of being in situ for a long time.

A superb example of a rare and evocative Glengarry that would be impossible to upgrade.