Private stretcher-bearer, 2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders; 4th Division, 1 July 1916

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The stretcher-bearer (note brassard) is shown as he would have appeared on the first day of the Somme offensive. The green vertical rectangle patch on his
helmet cover is part of the first scheme of battle patches used by the 4th Div.:
green, yellow and red indicating the brigades; and a horizontal rectangle,
a vertical rectangle, a square and a diamond indicating battalions within brigades. A regimental device, this case a patch of Mackenzie tartan, was worn on the sleeves. For the attack on 1 July the Seaforths also wore a 'C' in white tape stitched to their sleeves; other units wore different signs. Our subject wears the 'utility' service dress jacket and the first pattern steel helmet; note GC badges indicating nearly 20 years' service, rifle marksman's
badge, and the ribbons of the Queen's and King's South African Medals and the long service and Good Conduct Medal.

© 2006 Osprey Publishing Ltd, British Battle Insignia (1) 1914–18 (Men-at-Arms 182)