Who are these guys?

[brodie]

This pic is thought to have been taken near Changi Garrison, Singapore around 1932. A note on the back indicates a MG Section. Could someone help me out by identifying the regiment?

[Alex Rice]

A stab in the dark would be that the shooter might be Black Watch. My reasoning is that his solar-topee doesn't have a badge, only a hackle so it is possible that he has just adapted the tradition of wearing only a hackle on the tam-o-shanter to his helmet, and also the tartan is too dark to identify. Only the Black Watch and Argylles worn very dark tartans which would make them difficult to ID on a black & white photo. Hope this helps. Rgds,
Alex

I'd opt for the Black Watch too (presence of the 3" feather on the helmet and tartan pattern)

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by LBHY

I'd opt for the Black Watch too (presence of the 3" feather on the helmet and tartan pattern)

Ought to be easy enough to check.

Were either 1st or 2nd Black Watch based at Singapore in 1932?

Any Black Watch experts here?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by BWEF

Were either 1st or 2nd Black Watch based at Singapore in 1932?

edit
Oops wrong theatre I'll check again

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Mike

edit
Oops wrong theatre I'll check again

Black watch - probably not - 1st Bn India 1919 - 1936 then to the Sudan.

2nd Btn England and Scotland 1922- 1937 then to Palestine.

no mention of Singapore?

[badjez]

Am I wrong in believing these are officers? The man behind the Vickers appears to have a pip on his shoulder and be wearing a Sam Browne. One of the men partialy obscured is also wearing a sam Brown I believe. I mention this as it may make a difference to the configeration of tartan patch and hackle. They also wear shoes not boots.
Stephen.

[BWEF]

This is a complete guess, but could they be volunteers? Members of the Scottish company of the Singapore Volunteer Corps?

http://www.malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk/node/48

This being said, the flash on Pte J.B. Mackie's pith helmet seems darker, although that could just be the photo. No hackle though, but maybe more likely to be worn by an officer?

http://www.malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk/node/55

You're right

[Empire collector]

The Scottish Company of the Singapore Volunteers wore Hunting Stewart tartan.
Have a look at;

http://www.scotlandshop.net/designer...derntartan.php

It does seem to fit the patch. The other machine gun crew in the background are wearing khaki shorts or trousers but the one helmet you can see appears to have a similar patch on the helmet side but no hackle. Neither does the other officer lying down appear to have a hackle on the helmet.

The plot thickens!!

Alan

[Alex Rice]

Just to throw in another opinion... It is possible that the officer was in the area on attachment and may not necessarily be there with the regiment. I have a Gordons badge from a major who was out in Singapore/Malaysia on attachment to the Malayan police just before the war.
Rgds,
Alex

[kitinsignia]

Hi,

Singapore Volunteer Corps (Scottish Company) Machine Gun Section.

Regards,
Kit