THE KOSB AT WAR 1939-45
A Second World War Historical Reenactment Unit in Texas, commemorating the service and sacrifice of the
6th King's Own Scottish Borderers in Northwest Europe 1944-45
DONATION OF LT-COL FENDICK'S TAM-O-SHANTER

    A Link with a Canadian Hero
    We are extremely honored to have been the recipient of Lt.-Col. Reginald "Rex" Fendick's wartime, KOSB Officer's
    Tam-o-Shanter (TOS) Bonnet.  The late-Colonel's son, Reginald Fendick, sent us a most kind letter with the Colonel's
    TOS Bonnet enclosed.  This donation to the 6th KOSB Historical Reenactment Unit marks our group's first possession of
    an original wartime item by a wartime soldier of the 6th Battalion.  An email has been sent to the KOSB Regimental Museum
    (Berwick-upon-Tweed) informing them of this incredible donation.   Our thanks to Reginald for this gift to our unit.  A copy of
    Reginald's letter and photos of Lt.-Col. Fendick's TOS bonnet (with wartime explanations) are below:















    The Officers Tam-O-Shanter (TOS) Bonnet
    During the Second World War (1939-45) officers serving with Scottish regiments would private purchase their own officer's
    version of other ranks (enlisted men's) Scottish tam-o-shanter (commonly known as 'TOS') bonnet.  The officers version was
    made of finer material, with a smaller crown and khaki-colored ribbons in the rear.  William J. Anderson & Sons Ltd., a
    prominent maker of uniforms for officers as well as a supplier to HM Forces in Scotland (notably kilts, trews and glengarry's)
    was a well known supplier of officer's TOS bonnets to the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB).  The firm is still in
    business today:








    Brigadier-General Frank Coutts, a young officer in the KOSB, having just been badged as a subaltern in the Regiment, made
    mention of this firm, in his account, ONE BLUE BONNET:  A Scottish Soldier Looks Back:

    Eventually the great day came when we were invited to bid for our Regiments - three choices:  It was an easy choice for me:  
    1) KOSB, 2) Royal Scots, 3) Gordon Highlanders, the parent Regiment of the Scottish ... then the uniform wallah's descen-
    ded; in the case of the Scottish Regiments, Messrs William Anderson [ & Sons Ltd. ] of George Street, Edinburgh, the begin-
    ning of a happy association.  We were fitted out for our service jackets, [ bonnets ], trews and other accountrements, a proud
    day. [ Frank Coutts, ONE BLUE BONNET:  A Scottish Soldier Looks Back, B+W Publishing, Edinburgh, 1991, Chapter 4,
    page 44 ].


    The KOSB Gilt Officers Badge
    The cap badge on Lt.-Col. Fendick's TOS Bonnet is very unique.  It was certainly struck during the Second World War
    (1939-45) due to the King's Crown (KC), although we are unsure whether this was issued through the KOSB Regiment to
    newly arriving CANLOAN officers, a private purchase item or possibly a KOSB piper's badge issued due to wartime short-
    ages.   Interestingly, behind the cap badge is a swatch of black silk from a glengarry (where tartan backing would normally be
    placed), cut out and used as badge backing on the TOS bonnet.  We are unsure if this was a regimental affectation by officers
    of the KOSB or a wartime stopgap due to the limited supplies of regimental tartan.













    The mission of Lt.-Col. Fendick's TOS Bonnet
    The 6th KOSB Historical Reenactment Unit has encased the TOS bonnet under glass (to prevent mothing) and to use the
    item as part of its Second World War (1939-45) Educational Project, whereby KOSB artifacts are used for living history
    displays to educate high school and college-level students as well as local citizens during Memorial and Veteran's Day events.  
    Colonel Fendick's TOS Bonnet is a link not only to the man as a soldier, a wartime veteran (and his family) but to that of the
    6th KOSB and all CANLOAN officers that served.  This background history will be vital when we tell students about this
    most generous human being, his comrades and those of the men he served and fought alongside with.  As we told Reg, Colo-
    nel Fendick may have passed away, but the gift of his TOS Bonnet, will help educate thousands of students here in Texas as
    to the service and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth veterans during the war.  This, is living history.

                                                                                  * Lest We Forget *
Mick Stewart,
webmaster, with the
Colonel's TOS
Bonnet.
Reg Fendick's letter
Bonnet, front
Bonnet, rear
The maker's wartime
stamp "William
Anderson"
The KOSB Officer's Gilt Capbadge
This page updated 18 November 2011.

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