Borderers in Uniform from 1689 – Hiram Dunn

Having served with Hiram Dunn and collaborated with him on numerous Regimental historical projects as a fellow member of the Regimental Museum Committee, it is a privilege and a pleasure for me to write the foreword to this book. Hiram has comprehensively researched, written and illustrated a fascinatingly informative book about the Uniforms, Arms and Personal Equipment of the Officers and Soldiers of The King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) from 1689 to 2006.

                Hiram takes the reader through the story from its beginning with the humble yellow armband, tied as an identification symbol on the arm of the civilian clothing of volunteer recruits at the raising of Leven’s Regiment, assembled with some urgency to defend Edinburgh against a threat from rebel Highlanders, right through to the modern era of Disruptive Pattern Material “combats”.  Along the way, he describes how the soldier wore and maintained the clothing as well as the modifications that were sometimes made, often without official approval. Running in parallel with the changes in dress, Hiram explains the technical advances in infantry weaponry and equipment that brought about reforms in individual fighting tactics; not only does he outline the weapon’s design intent and its capabilities, but he is not afraid of highlighting its shortcomings too. He brings with him the authentic knowledge and views of one who has worn and used much of the post-National Service Army’s uniform and equipment in barracks and in the field.

Although this book is not intended as a Regimental History, it brings to light many previously unpublished photographs together with new source material ranging from information on the Regiment’s marine service on board Royal Naval warships of the 1790’s to the reminiscences of a glider pilot who landed and fought with the 7th Battalion at Arnhem. On a personal level, Hiram recounts his experiences of serving with a VC holder and being at a historic moment in a divided Berlin during the Cold War when he was on parade for President Reagan to hear him issue his famous challenge to Mr Gorbachev.  There are also detailed insights into operations in Northern Ireland, where he served many tours, and in particular there is a detailed account of the “Battle of Derryard” where a handful of KOSB soldiers defeated a heavily armed IRA attack with only that much criticised weapon, the SA 80, to defend themselves.

This book will appeal beyond the Regimental family, given the commonality of uniform, weapons and equipment in the British Army throughout many of these three hundred years. I can see this book becoming a highly valued reference work for many military historians, enthusiasts, researchers, modellers, film and theatrical costumiers and anyone with an interest in the interface between technology and warfare that impacted on how the British infantry soldier was armed, dressed and equipped in order to carry out his combat and ceremonial roles.

You have within these pages an insider’s story on this subject, told by an honest professional of independent mind, who gives credit where it is due, but does not pull his punches either.

Anyone who wishes to see many of these uniforms, badges, Colours, weapons, equipment, records or photographs for themselves, is encouraged to follow up with a visit to the Museum of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers at the Barracks, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, where they will be made most welcome.

Major (Retired) Martin Linaker, KOSB

Borderers in Uniform from 1689 - Hiram Dunn

Contents
Authors Notes.
Acknowledgements.
Introduction.
Prologue.
Chapter 1.
Figure 1. Musketeer, 1689 at Killiecrankie, Scotland.
The Earl of Leven’s Regiment.
Figure 2. Officer, 1759 at Battle of Minden, Germany.
25th of Foot, Edinburgh Regiment.
Figure 3. Soldier, 1759 at Battle of Minden, Germany.
25th of Foot, Edinburgh Regiment.
Chapter 2.
Figure 4. Grenadier, 1759 at Battle of Minden, Germany.
25th of Foot, Edinburgh Regiment.
Figure 5. Grenadier Officer, 1774 Minorca, Balearics Islands.
25th of Foot, Edinburgh Regiment.
Figure 6. Officer, 1794 on Marine Service.
25th of Foot, The Essex Regiment.
Chapter 3.
Figure 7. Senior Officer, Field Rank, 1815 in Martinique West Indies.
25th of Foot King’s Own Borderers.
Figure 8. Soldier of the Light Company 1840’s in India.
25th of Foot King’s Own Borderers.
Figure 9. Corporal in Marching Order, 1855 in England.
25th of Foot King’s Own Borderers.
Chapter 4.
Figure 10. Sergeant in Marching Order, 1864 in Scottish Borders.
The Scottish Borderers (Militia).
Figure 11. Private Volunteer, 1860’s in Scottish Borders.
1st Selkirk Rifle Volunteers.
Figure 12. Private Volunteer, 1860’s in Scottish Borders.
2nd Roxburgh Rifle Volunteers.
Chapter 5.
Figure 13. Sergeant, 1878 at Fyzabad, Oudh district, India.
1st Battalion King’s Own Borderers.
Figure 14. Private, 1888 of the Suakin Field Force, Egypt.
2nd Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

Figure 15. Private Maxim Gunner, 1900 Boer War, South Africa.
3rd Battalion (Militia) the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 6.
Figure 16. Sergeant Major, Parade Dress, 1899 in Dublin, Ireland.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 17. Major in Undress Uniform, 1898 to 1903.
The King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 18. Drummer in Parade Dress, 1904 in Mandalay Burma.
2nd Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 7.
Regimental Guard Mounting 1903 at Victoria Barracks, Belfast, Ireland.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 8.
Figure 19. Private in Marching Order 1914 in Flanders/France, WW1.
2nd Battalion K.O.S.B., 5th Division, 13th Infantry Brigade, B.E.F.
Figure 20. Major in Service Dress, 1916 in Flanders/France, WW1.
The King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 21. Corporal in Battle Dress, 1917-18 in Flanders/France WW1.
The King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 9.
Figure 22. Captain in Ceremonial Dress 1925 at Fort George, Scotland.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 23. Company Sergeant Major in Parade Dress 1931 in Poona India.
2nd Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 24. Corporal Piper in Full Dress 1923 in Cyprus.
‘A’ company 1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 10.
Figure 25. Lieutenant in Battle Dress Uniform 1940 B.E.F. in France WW2.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 3rd Infantry Division.
Figure 26. Lieutenant in Battle Dress Airborne 1944 in Arnhem WW2.
7th Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 1st Airborne Division.
Figure 27. Lance Corporal Jungle Fighting Order, 1944/5 7th Indian Division Burma WW2.
2nd Battalion the King’s own Scottish Borderers, 89th Brigade.
Chapter 11.
Figure 28. Private Soldier in Fighting Order 1951 in the Korean War.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 29. Officer in Cold Weather Fighting Order 1952 in the Korean War.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 30. Private Soldier in Full Jungle Marching Order 1956/7 Malaya Peninsular.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 12.
Figure 31. Corporal, Regimental Police in Shirt Sleeve Order1958.
Regimental Depot, the Barrack, Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
Figure 32. Lieutenant, Tropical Dress Ceremonial 1973 Berlin West Germany.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 33. Corporal, Patrol Dress Northern Ireland 1970’s. United Kingdom.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 13.
Figure 34 Private No1 Gunner, Full C.E.M.O. 1987, Berlin West Germany.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 35. Warrant Officer 2, No2 Dress Ceremonial 1986 Colchester, England.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 36. Private No1 Milan, C.E.F.O. 1986 Ex ‘Eternal Triangle’ West Germany.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 14.
Figure 37. The Colour Party, No1 Dress Ceremonial, Minden Day 1st August.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 15.
Figure 38. Pipe Major, Full Ceremonial Dress 1989 on the 300th Anniversary Edinburgh.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Figure 39. Drum Major, Full Ceremonial Dress 1989 on the 300th Anniversary Edinburgh.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Chapter 16.
Figure 40. Soldiers in Civil Disorder Dress between 1989 and 1996 Northern Ireland, U.K.
1st Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

Chapter 17.
Figure 40. Lieutenant, Mounter Infantry, 2nd Bn KOSB, Suakim Field Force, Egypt 1888.
Chapter 18.
Figure 41. 2nd Battalion the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Chitral Relief Force 1895.
Figure 42. Lieutenant and Adjutant G. H. B. Coulson V.C., D.S.O. King’s Own Scottish Borderers (7th Mounted Infantry), Boer War South Africa 1901.
Figure 43. The 2nd Bn King’s Own Scottish Borderers ‘Machine Gun Team’ August 1914.
Chapter 19.
Weapons. The Nine main British Army Infantry Rifles from 1715 to 2006 illustrated.
Headdress. A selection of Headdress and Badges worn by the regiment, illustrated with a
short synopsis of each.
Borderers Three tours of duty, in one unique city.
In Berlin.
Appendices.
A. Battle Honours of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
B. Dress Regulation dated July 1985, of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
C. Music of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
D. 25th Regiment of Foot or (Old Edinburgh Regiment), Marine Service 1793-1797.
Epilogue.
Index.
Illustration Acknowledgements.
Abbreviations.

ISBN:978-1-5272-22611-1