Lieut W A MacDonald, Seaforth Highlanders

Date Added: 31 May 2009 Year: 1914 Institution Name: dnhhl Cat No: ◀ | 2009_040_07 | ▶ Picture No: 7601

Monochrome photograph of Lieut W A MacDonald, Seaforth Highlanders in dress uniform with sword and spats.

Dimensions: jpeg file

6 Comments

I have absolutely no doubt that this portrait was made by Donald Lindley in his studio at 99 Tavistock Street, Bedford. The wall, skirting board and floor covering are very familiar and particular elements in most of Lindley's portraits of Highland Division soldiers. Note that Lt MacDonald wears the Imperial Service badge on his right breast.

Comment left on 23 June 2012 at 17:41 by Richard Galley

This is a wonderful portrait. With reference to the cap badge, sporran, and Imperial Service badge over his right tunic pocket I believe he is with a Territorial Army battalion. Please look into this and let me know which battalion. Many thanks.
Comment left on 23 July 2012 at 15:05 by Bruce Elfast I believe that Lieut. W. A. MacDonald was with the 5th Battalion (Territorial) Administrator

In response to Bruce's comments, Lt MacDonald was with the 5th Battalion (Territorial Force) Seaforth Highlanders. The 5th Seaforth's uniform can be easily distinguished from other Seaforth Battalions. The 5th wore a particular dicing pattern on their glengarries (for ORs and NCOs)whilst the officers wore undiced glengarries. The 5th had its own cap badge bearing the motto 'Sans Peur', wore the Sutherland tartan kilt with a dark brown sporran hung with white tassles, above red and green diced hose tops. 5th Seaforth officers also wore small silver feathers attached to their cap badges as a further indication of the wearer's rank.

Comment left on 24 July 2012 at 14:06 by RICHARD GALLEY Many thanks for such detailed information on how to recognise the uniform of the 5th Battalion Administrator

This is my grandfather and I can confirm that he was officer in charge of the territorials from Dornoch. He was killed on 23 July 1918.

Comment left on 09 September 2012 at 22:49 by Josephine Mackenzie

How do I post a photograph of my Great Uncle Robert Powell, his uniform indicates 2nd Lieutenant but I can't see his cap badge clearly enough to be able to positively identify his battalion?

Comment left on 10 December 2012 at 22:56 by Jan Purchase If you would like to include a photograph on to the image library, could you first email a copy of the photograph with any information that you have relating to it to enquiries@historylinks.org.uk. All images present on the image library have been catalogued as part of Historylinks Museum's collection Administrator

I will e-mail the photograph of my great uncle together with the limited amount of information I have about him.

Many thanks for your help.

JanP Comment left on 14 December 2012 at 17:35 by Jan Purchase

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