A Different Kind of Gordon Highlander for My Toy Soldier Collection

As the reader can infer from the title of this post, this author intends to take a diversion from the scope of normal subject matter of this blog. There is a connection, as soon will be revealed, which I hope will prove interesting.

A longtime self-confessed “magpie” or “gallimaufry” (Scottish for bits and pieces) type collector, I consider myself extremely fortunate in my mid-eighties to have somehow avoided being afflicted to date with the model train bacteria. Have to admit that growing up I did have, on loan from my uncle, an early Lionel electric train set which was returned for his children, as my interest in toy soldiers had started. There also was a General Mills Kix Cereal 1947 combination printed on the box and mail-in premiums of cut-out trains which were a popular sales promotional (now having become a collectable antique).

The other singular exception being the more recent collection of a limited number of the Lionel/Hallmark (nominally N gauge - being introduced in 1996) Christmas tree ornaments over the years. Judging from my most recent Internet research it can become highly addictive, and an extreme and continuous drain on the sporran. None the less, I feel it safe to say that model train collectors are an extremely prolific breed, and for quite some time have far outnumbered, and continue to outnumber, toy soldier collectors.

In any event I would be totally less than candid if I did not readily admit to a life-long fascination with small scale toy trains/model railroading, and the engineering precision the hobby incorporates, somewhat analogous to a jeweler or horologist (watchmaker).  

 However, very recently an opportunity appeared on e-Bay that was too good to pass up. This is obviously a rationalization at best. It was an HO scale locomotive set comprised of the engine, tender, and corridor brake 3rd class coach by Bachmann of a classic LMS “Royal Scot” Class 4-6-0 6P 6100 Series. For those who might not know the letters stand for London, Midlands and Scottish Railway Company. However, more specifically the model I have acquired is Engine 6106 “Gordon Highlander” of the series. 70 actual locomotives were built in the Class, starting in 1927, with the majority being named after regiments of the British Army. Based on my research to date the model was first offered in 1998. Given my family surname, Scottish ancestry, and interest in British/Scottish military history, the reason for my personal interest immediately becomes rather obvious.

A brief segue occurred to the author. Is it merely a coincidence that the distinctive deep maroon livery of the LMS is the same colour originally selected for that of the famous "Red Beret" of the Parachute Regiment of the British Army?

 

Although several model train manufacturers have produced excellent models of various configurations of the "Royal Scot Class" in various scales, to the best of my knowledge the Bachmann Company is the only one to have produced a "Gordon Highlander" in LMS maroon livery. It was produced in OO gauge. (Author's Note: Both Wrenn and Graham Farish produce a "Gordon Highlander", but neither in the classic LMS maroon livery). In my personal opinion, for an OO scale size, I think they did a great job, but will let the reader be the judge of that, hopefully based on the images presented. The high end connoisseur manufacturer of  toy trains, the British Company named Wrenn offer a Royal Scot Class "Gordon Highlander"  locomotive in black livery. Wrenn's OO gauge version of the Royal Scot Class in LMS maroon livery is shown, with acknowledgement and gratitude, in the last two images below. One other observation, unlike toy soldiers and military miniatures, model train makers do not take creative artistic license. The exceptions known to the author (there are always exceptions) being the popular "Gordon the Tank Train" series, and the Harry Potter "Hogwarts Express", but neither one passed off as an actual train. As a consequence the models are an extremely accurate replication of exactly the real thing, with the possible exception of the level of detail practically not attainable in some of the physically smaller scales such as N and Z gauge.

 

In a addition, and subsequent to the initial acquisition of the "Gordon Highlander", have been able to locate another 4 Bachmann, and 3 Hornby models in matching scale and LMS livery, the first one is a uniquely British coach. It is called a Brake Gangwayed (BG), or Full Brake Coach first offered in 2011. It has a guard's compartment in the center and two large highly secure areas to either side (fore and aft) for the storage of valuable luggage, as can be seen in the following image.

The second is a more conventional 57 ft Corridor 1st/3rd Class Coach, and can be seen in the following image.

 

The third is the so called former LMS 57 ft Porthole Corridor 1st Class Coach (actually not put in service until 1950) in the next images (model followed by actual coach).

The fourth is a Hornby model of a 68 ft Dining Car (note 6 wheel bogies incorporated for requisite load carrying capacity, comfort and stability) which was introduced into service in 1932 (Running Number 238), and seen here. As both a model and as the real coach, this is a big car (44 tons).

Author’s note: In an attempt to replicate a LMS Stanier 66 ft “QL” (BR “RFO”) First Class Vestibule Diner, of correct vintage, to accompany the previously described LMS 68 ft Dining Car, the closest I could come s a Bachmann 39-476 LMS 60 ft “Porthole” Open Vestibule Coach BR in Maroon livery (obviously later Period III- 1947). The following first image is the correct actual LMS Vestibule Diner, circa 1934, and the second image is a sixth OO gauge Bachmann “equivalent” model.

I have been further advised by experts that my ratio of coaches should be 3:1, Third class to First class. In order to partially rectify this, have acquired an additional LMS 57 ft Corridor Third Class coach (again Period III) to add to the rake, making a total of seven coaches (image follows).

The eighth is a Hornby model of a classic Royal Mail Coach complete with operating pickup and delivery stations. These Traveling Post Offices (TPO's) were normally composed in completely separate rakes, and not in a passenger rake.

 

Given the date and composition of this specific rake, the original locomotive number 6106 would be in error, having been rebuilt in September 1949, and renumbered 46106 (see image below). 

For those who may not know, the LMS was a massive British railroad monopoly, having been formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921. Besides being the world's largest transport organisation, it was also the largest commercial enterprise in the British Empire and the United Kingdom's second largest employer, after the British Postal Service. The LMS also claimed to be the largest joint stock organisation in the world.

The “Royal Scot” Class was introduced in 1927, with the “Gordon Highlander” being built in September 1927 (rebuilt 1949), and was in service until being withdrawn in December 1962, with a final short commemorative guest trip in April 1963.

The lead locomotive of the class the "Royal Scot" Engine 6100 was even shipped to the United States in 1933 where it performed a public relations tour including the Chicago World's Fair during the course of its route.

The following images, although not of exactly the same train, are of the Royal Scot Class, intended to provide a direct comparison of the model to the real thing.

The following image is a late photo of the "Gordon Highlander" renumbered with the revised number 46106 and livery of the British Railway System, however still in service. It appears in the first video cited below. Not certain of the exact date, but probably in the early 1960s. The BR style smoke deflectors being fitted in December 1952 are correctly included in the model.

Besides the zenith of the classic steam locomotive era in the 1920s and 30s, personified in the "Royal Scot Class", there was an earlier generation steam version "Gordon Highlander", and a follow-on diesel locomotive version, both shown below.

The steam locomotive which preceded the “Gordon Highlander “ of the “Royal Scot Class” was the Great North of Scotland Railway’s Heywood ‘F’ Class No. 49 “Gordon Highlander”. Eight of the locomotives entered service in 1920, being built by the North British Locomotive Company Ltd. No. 49 remained in service until being withdrawn in 1957. It remains today, restored on museum display.

The diesel locomotive configuration “Gordon Highlander” is one of 22 British Rail Class 55 engines which were built in 1961 and 1962 by English Electric, which gained the name “Deltic” based on their Napier Deltic power units. The engines were withdrawn from service at the end of 1982, with 6 units preserved and still running today.

In addition as a NROTC Midshipman during the summer of 1955, I had been able to take a train excursion from Edinburgh to London as a liberty during my midshipman training cruise. Although I can’t remember the specific train I was on, it was overnight and feel certain that the actual “Gordon Highlander” had made the same trip, over the very same rails, hundreds of times. Obviously the train model is truly a great personal remembrance.

For those readers who may be real train enthusiasts the following videos should prove to be of significant interest (the first video including the above photograph of the "Gordon Highlander");

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wauqCD6bnU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaDdAEDBqio

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2020/09/watch-steam-locomotive-royal-scot-conquering-the-settle-and-carlisle.html

Bachmann OO Gauge LMS Royal Scot Series "Gordon Highlander" video.

Recently had a need for the maintenance of my Royal Scot Class “Gordon Highlander” steam locomotive. I sent it to Nigel Doran’s, British Model Trains Ltd. in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. His website is https://britishmodeltrains.ca.  It is highly recommended, as Nigel is an expert in British Railroading, as well as both Bachmann and Hornby HO scale model trains. For distant customers he provides a video of the results of his maintenance/repairs of your train prior to return.

Fox, Morigi or Moriarty, It’s all in the Name, More Fake Cap badges

For the better part of seven decades I’ve been collecting British and Commonwealth armament and militaria, and for the past nine years have attempted to convey in this blog, the figurative minefield that exists for everyone from beginning collector to advanced/experts in the field.

 

Having been burned many times over the years, fortunately never too severely, I have personally ceased further serious collecting, resting and enjoying the fruits of my labors, the good, bad, and questionable. As a realist rather than a purist,  I think I can identify all my conscious deliberate fillers, which are there only because a while back I reconciled to the fact that the originals only resided in museums, extremely wealthy collections, or existed in miserable deteriorated condition.

 

With full acknowledgement and gratitude to Dubaiguy aka Mark of the British and Commonwealth Military Badge Forum, the author would like to continue the ongoing saga of the production and sales of known fake cap badges.

 

In a recent set of images in that forum he presented a whole new source of counterfeit badges this author was not aware of. They are the product of a nefarious individual by the name of Marshand Morigi who practiced his “skills” in the 1960s and 70s, along with a more recent cohort in crime, Martin Marsh, both originating in Great Britain. Somehow the name Morigi triggered in my mind another, that of Sherlock Holmes’ arch villain, Professor James Moriarty.

 

Morigi purchased the badges from a certain John Morris (now deceased) of Aston in Birmingham, who owned the dies, also made in Birmingham, and had them stamped out by several other Birmingham manufacturers, including Gladmans. Morigi also tried his hand at British Special Forces cloth insignia during the same time frame.

 

I’m not certain whether I have any of the metal badges, but am absolutely certain (and have so identified) a rather fair number of the cloth variety. Many of which can be seen in the following blog article; https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-gallimaufry-of-militaria.html . Following image is a sample of the offerings at the time.

 

Returning to the metal cap badges, Mark has provided images of a series of Morigi’s catalog pages. It provides the collector with another series of “mug shots” of badges to be aware of, and cautious to avoid without an established source and sound provenance. Personal apologies for the small size of the images. They can be copied and enlarged to a limited extent without a significant loss of resolution. However, I think most collectors can identify the cap badges which have been duplicated. Once again an overused cliché, “It’s a jungle out there!”.

The Original Brevet - First Wings of The Parachute Regiment

Very recently Pierre, aka tcrown, of The British and Commonwealth Military Badge Forum (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/) presented a fascinating article on the very first qualification brevet awarded to the original personnel who formed what was to become The Parachute Regiment of the British Army in 1940. With his expressed permission and my full acknowledgement and sincere gratitude this blog author is presenting that same article. I have taken the liberty to incorporate a few additional notes for those who might not be familiar in detail with the real true origins of the very first “winged canopy” brevet of the regiment.

       

“Early Para Wings

by tcrown

Location: Canada

 

It is well accepted by collectors that the early parachute wings were manufactured by Lewis Falk Limited. A true characteristic of early wings is split or detached feathers.

 

The first wings were issued in Jan 1941 after ACI 1589 dated 28/12/1940 was published describing the badge itself and the qualifying conditions. From the photos available in the IWM (Imperial War Museum) collection, we can get an idea about the way these badges were worn at the very beginning.

 

(The first images are of Lt Col Ivor Jackson (CO, 11^th SAS) on the occasion of a visit to the unit by then Gen Alan Brooke, C in C Home Forces, later Field Marshal Alan Francis Brooke, 1^st Viscount Alanbrooke, KG, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO & Bar), January, 1941.)

These two photos were taken in early January 1941 during a parachute demonstration before General Brooke (C in C Home Forces). Lt Col Ivor Jackson, CO of 11th SAS (the only British parachute force at the time) is pictured wearing his Para badge uncut in its full rectangular original form (I’m wondering who the officer, likely his 2nd in C, was standing next to him). Note also the parachutists in the background emplaning with their gear and newly issued smocks. They don’t wear any wings as the badge was at the time only permitted on BD. This was changed on 12 Feb 1942 (ACI 204) when wearing para badges were authorized on smocks (called officially ‘gabardine jump jacket’). (This was the fore-runner to the iconic Denison smock, and was essentially copied from the German Fallschirmjäger smock). 

 

This photo (source: ParaData) shows members of C troop 11th SAS wearing badges on their smock. Interestingly, the second individual from the left first row (Cpl A. Phillips) was tragically killed in a parachute accident on 16 Feb 1941. We can just assume that all parachute members were eager to wear their badge once permitted.

The following rare photograph is presented with full acknowledgment and expressed gratitude to the Airborne Assault Museum at IWM, Duxford. It is a photograph of 'X' Troop of 11th SAS Battalion which assaulted the Tragino Aquaduct.

11 SAS Battalion was formed from No 2 Commando on 21 November 1940, retaining the No 2 Commando CO Lt Col CIA Jackson. In 1941 he was succeeded by Lt Col EE Down. The battalion retained its Commando structure, of 22 eight-men teams trained to infantry section standard. This was increased to 10 because the numbers conformed to a Whitley aircraft ‘stick’ of parachutists. ‘X’Troop from 11 SAS , consisting of seven officers and 28 men conducted the Tragino Aquaduct Raid in Italy on 10/11 February 1941. This was the first British parachute operation of the war. By August 1941 the unit reorganised into a conventional headquarters and four infantry companies battalion pattern. On 15 September 1941 the unit name changed to the 1st Parachute Battalion.

 

A photo of the recent issued badge was taken on 21 Feb 1941 (IWM) with its typical rectangular form. The split of feathers is clearly visible on both period and modern photos.

It looks like the practice of wearing the badge in an uncut form was shortly discontinued on BD as can be seen in this snapshot of a movie taken in Feb 1941 (source: IWM ‘The Service Takes to Silk’).

Lt Col Jackson himself wore trimmed wings when he presented his unit to the King in May 1941.

 These type of wings although issued first, continued to be worn well beyond late war years. They are not particularly rare and the collector has to be aware that uncut (unissued) or oval shape wings don’t make them any earlier than they are.

I have added a couple of photos of trimmed examples of the same wing type that could have been issued during mid or even late war.

In conclusion, these wings were widely distributed during the war and don’t have to be confused with the early and brief practice of wearing uncut badges. I’ll be posting later a few details on another early badge that is much scarcer: the “cloud” type parachute canopy.”

Three additional photographs of uncut squared brevets, first two from 1941, and the third from April 1944, surprisingly very late in the war.

For those readers who might be interested a previously published post on this blog depicts the early training of the British Airborne Force; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/11/early-british-paratroop-training.html

 

  

Issuance of Pistols in the British Army in World War II

In a very recent question, Ken a reader of this blog asked the following multiple part question; “Apart from officers, who were usually issued with pistols? Bren gunners? Which units carried the flamethrowers? What's the best place for finding photos of the uniform worn at Arnhem?”

Given the nature of the question, and the convoluted protocol currently required by the Google Blog to adequately respond to a comment, I have decided it would be far more efficient just to publish an article on the subject. One further caveat, this author’s discussion will be confined to WWII British Airborne Forces during Operation Market-Garden. However, prevailing logic would lead one to conclude it to be generally applicable to the balance of the British Army.

First, right up front my answer is at best provisional. As far as I can determine from my research to date, there was no strict set of regulations issued by the British Army in WWII governing the issuance of “pistols” (more correctly revolvers or semi-automatic pistols). The known exception covering the Inglis Browning Pistol No.2 Mk I* , to the Airborne Forces (https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2015/12/were-inglis-or-patchett-machine-carbine.html.) . The same was the case in World War I. An Internet search reveals at least one M.A. Degree dissertation on the subject; http://www.worldwar1.com/tripwire/pdf/davidthomas.pdf  Unfortunately a comparable document on the subject in World War II has not yet been discovered. Obviously, hence Ken’s question, as I’m certain he has already conducted a similar search.

One of if not the best source of empirical evidence, is contemporary photographs. Fortunately, there was a team from the Army Film and Photographic Unit (AFPU) attached to the 1st Airborne Division during the entire operation. As far as known to this author the best compilation of their work is found in the two volumes, After the Battle OPERATION MARKET GARDEN THEN AND NOW, Karel Margry, Editor, Battle of Britain International Ltd, London, 2000. It is also the best single source of knowledge for what was actually wore by personnel during the operation, also the answer to one of Ken’s questions.

Based upon contemporary TO&Es, the above referenced set of images, and common sense, there is a very high probability that the following personnel carried either a revolver or semi-automatic pistol;

All commissioned officers and warrant officers (most frequently also carried a rifle or machine carbine).
All non-commissioned officers (with the rank of sergeant and above).
All dispatch riders.

Most glider pilots. 

Most personnel driving universal carriers (predominately Royal Army Service Corps and REME).
Although not present at Operation Market-Garden; Most tank and armoured vehicle (AFV) commanders, drivers, and crewmen (Royal Tank Regiment and Royal Ordnance Corps)
Most Tractor, Artillery, Morris C.8/AT Mk III drivers (prime mover for 17pdr AT Guns
Most Military Policemen.
Some radio operators
Some flamethrower operators (predominately trained Royal Engineers).
Some No. 1 Mortarmen.
All No. 1 Bren Gunners (specifically prescribed for Airborne Forces).
Some P.I.A.T. gunners.
Some Medical Orderlies.

The quantifiers 'most' and 'some' are used because as previously indicated there are no known specific directives established for issuance. Broad rule of thumb and logical guidance being any individual who required use of both hands to continuously operate their assigned equipment in combat.

Per various references including; War Department Technical Manual HANDBOOK ON THE BRITISH ARMY WITH SUPPLEMENTS ON THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AND CIVIL DEFENSE ORGANIZATIONS TM 30 – 410 Sept 30, 1942 (printed 1943): 

Scale of pistol allowance by various size of unit.

Armoured Division 14,964 officers and men - 2,324 pistols.

Infantry Division 18,347 officers and men - 1,011 pistols.

Airborne Division 12,416 officers and men - 2,942 pistols (as of late 1944, all semi-automatic).

Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 672 officers and men - 79 pistols.

Machine Gun Battalion 740 officers and men -174 pistols.

Machine Gun Platoon -10 pistols.

Infantry Brigade 2944 officers and men -154 pistols.

Infantry (Rifle) Battalion 845 officers and men - 34 to 47 pistols (depending on year/source).

Rifle Company 124 officers and men - 5 pistols.

Rifle Platoon 37 officers and men - 1 pistol.

Universal Carrier Platoon 64 officers and men - 2 pistols. 

In the specific case of the two British Airborne Divisions (1^st and 6^th ) circa 1944 the Divisional Standard Table of Basic Allowances cites 2,942 “pistols” per division. Until late 1944 these would have been predominately the Pistol, Colt, .45cal Self-loading M1911A1. Order of Battle Allowance for the 1^st Airborne Division at that time was 701 officers. That leaves a balance of 2,241 weapons; a significant quantity. I have tried based upon the Division's Order of Battle and TO&E to allocate the remaining weapons, but at best it would only be an educated guess.

The following is a series of images of the most common revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, and their associated holsters, issued in the British Army during World War II.

Pistol, Colt, .45cal Self-loading M1911A1 (predominately Airborne, Commando, and Special Forces)
(Author's note: In addition there were some M1911s (see second image) and some M1911A1s in .455cal)

Pistol, Inglis Browning, 9mm Self-loading, No.2 MkI* (predominately Airborne, Commando, and Special Forces), only after November 1944

Pistol, Webley .455cal, No.1 MkVI (Revolver)

Pistol, Enfield, .380cal No.2 Mk1 (Revolver)

Pistol, Webley, .38cal MkIV (Revolver, Limited Standard)

Pistol, Enfield, .38cal, No.2 MkI* (Revolver, “Commando/Tanker Model”)

.