Like many War Museum publications from the last century it is tightly focussed on a obscure subject and a gold mine of information that is hard to find elsewhere. Highly recommended for modellers. Of course none of the museum books published before the current government took power are available unless you stumble across one in the corner of some museum or used bookstore. Could be a coincidence.
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| Photo from Tangled Web. |
This photo is obviously the inspiration for the Blandford illustration. The proposed equipment was never adopted but the 5 independent companies eventually formed the Rocky Mountain Rangers.
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| Another picture from Tangled Web, this time from the Boer War. Its not the official uniform with pith helmet but it is reminiscent of the one above. |
One last photo. This is the Yukon Field Force which was a temporary force drawn from the Royal Canadian Regiment, Royal Canadian Dragoons, and the Royal Canadian Artillery.
Any of these pictures could be Faraway troops on campaign in the North.
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| Again from Tangled Web. Note the 2 styles of hats and footwear. Based on the wide trouser stripes I suspect the squad on the right are dragoons while the left squad are RCRs. |
Ross Mac,
ReplyDeleteI think that these would make ideal Faraway colonial/foreign service troops.
All the best,
Bob
Yes familiar but a bit different than the usual.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember that after the Boer War the British Army experimented with using a slouch hat rather than a foreign service helmet and peaked cap. If I can find an image or link, I will let you know.
All the best,
Bob
Thanks Bob. It makes sense. Not only did the CIV and some of thr yeomanry wear them in SA but apparently some regulars wore them regardless of authorization. I have seen 1 photo of highlanders in kilts with wide brimmed hats. Now That is different!
DeleteI have read that the new Wolseley helmet with wider brim beat it out for tropical wear.
I was in the RMR in Kamloops, and I do recall a hat like that in a glass case in the mess.
ReplyDeletea clearer picture can be found here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.truewestmagazine.com/jcontent/images/stories/Feb-2013/feb13_rocky-mountain-rangers_slideshow/rocky-mountain-ranger_winchester_smith-and-wesson.jpg
more practical than a uniform really
http://www.truewestmagazine.com/jcontent/images/stories/Feb-2013/feb13_rocky-mountain-rangers_slideshow/henry-boyle_fort-macleod_george-anderton_alberta-ranche_rocky-mountain-ranger.jpg
and Officer Commanding:
http://www.truewestmagazine.com/jcontent/images/stories/Feb-2013/feb13_rocky-mountain-rangers_slideshow/rocky-mountain-rangers_major_john-stewart_princess-louise-dragoon-guards_smith-and-wesson.jpg
or a book:
http://www.hgdistribution.com/cover_images/9781926936024.jpg
These guys look more like what I picture the Riel Rebellion version of Rocky Mountain Rangers to be than the early 20th C unit but hey its cowboy country. I will keep these guys in mind. Thanks.
DeleteI had some thoughts here, not sure if Blogger ate them or not.
ReplyDeleteApparently. I've checked spam and pending. Nada. Happens to me now and then.
DeleteOK, thoughts round two. First, I loved this post and this glimpses of Canda's military past, thanks so much. The uniforms match the mental picture I have of your Faraway/Oberhilse world, of an alt Canada in the Laurier era staving off vile Yankee aggression. The mention of the Yukon Field Force and the Rocky Mountain Rangers evokes visions of Canadian troops and militia, perhaps supported by Sam Steele's Mounted Police, fending off Yankee trappers, gold diggers, agents provocateurs and even some disguised or blatant regular army types, hoping to push north into western Canada before the railroad can be completed. Well, that's my vision anyway. As Wayne and Shuster used to say, you like it? It's yours.
ReplyDeleteMy older brother was a member of the Rocky Mountain Rifles in the 1970s when my family lived in Revelstoke, BC. They are still on the books of the Canadian Army Reserve, as far as I know.
Cheers, Michael
Oh dear, now I can picture a mountie stopping a train seeking a famous fugitive and being buried by an avelanche of brown pumpernickel loaves or investigating the Riel rebellion and a metis woman whining "and I told him, Louis, don't go..."
DeleteBut yes, your vision is a good one and not far off the mark not to mention a touch of Metis Nation meets Boer War, but I see by the clock on the wall...