Figure 1.-- Here we see a British soldier and his four sons, all dressed alike. We are not positive, but we think the father is an enlisted man. The family is unidentified, but the Glengary caps suggest that they are Scottish, although they may not be living in Scotland. The portrait was taken in 1909.

Here we see a British soldier and his four sons, all dressed alike. I am not positive, but I think the father is an enlisted man. The family is unidentified, but the Glengary caps strongly suggest that they are Scottish. The portrait was taken in 1909. A reader suggests that the boys are wearing a school military uniform, but Britain did not have military schools for children as was the case in America. Militry schools are an important part of private education in American quite a number of private boarding schools in America are military schools. This is not the case in Britain. An exception was a few orphanage-like schools for the children of enlistd men. I think the children were simply all dressed alike, a not uncommon convention at the time. It is interesting that they are not wearing kilts. Notice the metal buckle on the military belt that the boys all wear, that does give a uniform look to the boys' outfits. Notice that they are worn over their sweaters--meaning there was no practical purpose for the belts. There appears to be interesting age-grading in this photo. Only the youngest boy, about 6, wears short socks with his knee pants. The older boys who seem to range from about 8 to 10 or 11 all wear black long stockings. Apparently it was considered improper for boys older than 6 to have exposed knees. Notice the Eton collars.

The Family

Here we see a British soldier and his four sons, all dressed alike. I am not positive, but I think the father is an enlisted man. Hopefully our British readers will know more about this. He seems t be a highly decorated soldier. The family is unidentified, but the Glengary caps strongly suggest that they are Scottish.

The Boys

The boys here look to be aged about 3-10 years old. Almost certainly they are brothers, sons of the soldier standing behind them.

Chronology

The portrait was taken in 1909.

School

A reader suggests that the boys are wearing a school military uniform, but Britain did not have military schools for children as was the case in America. Militry schools are an important part of private education in Americam quite a number of private boarding schools in America are military schools. This is not the case in Britain. An exception was a few orphanage-like schools for the children of enlistd men. Our reader writes, "I just assumed it since they are all in some sort of uniform, which seems quasi-military. Surely they are not in some sort of military outfit for boys like scouting? What would be your explanation of the uniform--if not school?" Well there are three reasons I do not think this is a school uniform. One, Britain did not have military schools for children like America, except for a few orphanage-like schools. Two, enlisted personnel in 1909 could not afford to send their children to private schools. Three, look at the ages of the children. The two younger boys are not yet ready to begin school or join any kind of uniformed youth organization. My guess is that dad has just dressed the boys all alike and being a military man has devised a kind of military-looking style. Note that only the cap and belt are really uniform-looking items.

Clothing

I think the children were simply all dressed alike, a not uncommon convention at the time. It is interesting that they are not wearing kilts. There outfits including Eton collars, sweaters, and knee pants are all standard Britosh boys' wear--not uniform items. Notice the metal buckle on the military belt that the boys all wear, that does give a uniform look to the boys' outfits. Notice that they are worn over their sweaters--meaning there was no practical purpose for the belts.

Age Grading

There appears to be interesting age-grading in this photo. Only the youngest boy, about 3 years old , wears short socks with his knee pants. The three older boys who seem to range from about 6 to 10 all wear black long stockings. Apparently it was considered improper for boys older than 6 to have exposed knees. Notice the Eton collars. There is a less obvious example of age grading. Notice thast the older Boys have classic Eton collars with pointed tips. The coolars of the younger boys are slightly rounded.

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Created: 12:03 AM 7/12/2006
Last updated: 12:26 AM 7/12/2006