A PRIVATE ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 154, 28 December 1936, Page 3

A PRIVATE ARMY

ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS

Despite the provisions of the Governments Public Order Bill, prohibiting private armies and political uniforms, there will still remain one private army in Britain—the Atholl . Highlanders, says the "Daily Telegraph." The history of this unique regiment, which has no place in the Army List but is recognised by the War Office, dates back to feudal times. It is maintained by the Duke of Atholl and is composed of clansmen, who wear a Scottish uniform. The Duke of Atholl said to a representative of the "Daily Telegraph":— "The Public Order Bill, I understand, will in no way affect my Atholl Highlanders, since they are not a political body. In the same way, the normal gatherings of the clans will not be affected, although their kilts might be termed uniforms." The colours of the Atholl Highlanders were presented by Queen Victoria, who legalised the Duke's bodyguard when she visited Blair Castle in 1844. The regiment is about 200 strong, and many of its members served in the South African War and the Great War. The Atholl Highlanders are rarely seen on parade, but every September, with the Duke, marching at their head, they attend the opening of the Atholl Gathering. The British Union of Fascists and other political bodies likely to be affected by the new Bill Were considering their attitude. In addition to the black shirts of the Fascists thqre are the green shirts of the Social Credit Party, the khaki shirts with red ties of the Young Communist League, and the grey shirts of! the Young Pioneers, a junior ■ Com- ! munist organisation. |