Lanyards- which side is battle honour/dishonour?

[garynye]

Hello all!

Can someone enlighten me to the correct protocol in regards to the position of lanyards? Is it an honour or dishonour to be wearing it on the left or right shoulder?

Curious,

Gazza
TCCCS/Comms Guy

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Every unit at one time was allowed to pick its own colour and pattern of lanyard.  This practice began in World War Two, though some units may have worn coloured lanyards earlier than that.   (Don‘t confuse these with the khaki or white lanyards that were issued to men armed with pistols or equipped with whistles - they are not necessarily the same thing.)  See my website at http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/mediawiki-1.5.5/index.php?title=Main_Page  [Web link updated 17 Feb 2006]

Click on the Uniforms link, then the WW II Lanyards link for examples.

There is no such thing as a Battle Dishonour.  

There is no such thing as a Battle Honour when it come to uniforms, either.  Some units have special distinctions, like the oak leaf badge, the red hackle, or the PUC (see my page on Special Distinctions, also under the uniform section).

The Royal Canadian Artillery wear a white lanyard on the right sleeve by tradition.  (Note on my page that in WW II at least a few batteries picked colours other than white).  Other units used to wear coloured lanyards (either a whistle lanyard for officers, or a clasp knife lanyard for Other Ranks) simply as a means to dress up the Battle Dress.  The Royal Winnipeg Rifles wore a black lanyard on the right shoulder, for example, the Royal Regiment of Canada wore a wine and blue coloured lanyard on the left.

Today, it does not matter since lanyards don‘t appear to be worn by many units anymore.  I saw a modern day Winnipeg Rifleman wearing a black lanyard, but all others I have seen were the standard combat green model, usually worn by officers.  Our RCR (JRMACDONALD, actually) RSS WO used to wear a khaki one in his combats - I presume this was a regimental pattern lanyard - it looked identical to WW II dated lanyards in collections I‘ve seen.

I presume the RCA still wear white lanyards on the right shoulder when in CFs (I haven‘t seen anybody wearing one in combats).  That is where my dad wore his (a photo of him is on the intro page to my site).

Other than that, they don‘t seem to be worn anymore.

[ 17 May 2001: Message edited by: Michael Dorosh ]

 

[RCA]

The RCA doesn‘t wear lanyards with any form of dress anymore.

However there were stories in my younger days whereby the Artillery had to change sholuders for the laynard to cover a 99 yr disgrace for losing some guns in South Africa during the Boer War but redeemed itself during WW II thereby permitting us to wear the laynard on the proper shoulder.

I wonder if there is anyone out there that can verify the history.

 

[Andyboy]

Guards Regiments still wear lanyards in the Guards colours on their left shoulder (in combats only) as well as a Brigade patch on their Berets.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Andyboy:
[qb]Guards Regiments still wear lanyards in the Guards colours on their left shoulder (in combats only) as well as a Brigade patch on their Berets.[/qb]

That‘s right, too, we had a Guardsman transfer to us a year or two ago; I remember noticing the lanyard.

Thanks to all for the interesting info.

There is also a rumour that the notch cut in the toe of the spats worn by the Black Watch was also a "Battle Dishonour". Can anyone address that issue?

 

[JRMACDONALD]

Mike D-- correct. In the RCR, any person above the rank of MCpl wears a Khaki lanyard( whistle attached!) Off the left shoulder, only in combats! (if this was a dishonour , NONE of the RSMs in my 20 years identified that!) It was just a cord to carry a whistle!!!!

 

[Fishbone Jones]

JR,
Is the khaki lanyard supposed to indicate having successfully completed some sort of section commander course or something along that line? just wonderin‘.

 

[JRMACDONALD]

RECCEGUY- neg. In The RCR, officers wearthem , as well. Its khaki because its khaki!(there must be a coupla trailer loads of em ,somewhere in Canada!)

 

[Gun Shy]

RCA,
In response to your inquiry, re: white lanyards. The story goes like this, as was told to me when I was a young Dragoon, many many ... oh never mind.
During the Boer War, at a place called Leliefontein (pronounced Lilyfontain), in South Africa. The Canadian contingent was attacked by an overwhelming force of Boer guerillas. The thrust of the attack was to capture the field pieces and ammo of the artillery to add to what was already in their hands. For one reason or another the arty abondoned their guns and pulled back. A patrol of Royal Canadian Dragoons was in the area and galloped forward to provide covering fire for the withdrawl. On seeing the guns alone and about to be captured, they went forward and towed the guns to safety, while a Sgt laid down fire with a Colt machine gun. Long story short, three VC‘s were won that day by the RCD, Lt Cockburn, Lt Turner and Sgt Holland.They saved the guns, one of which we kept in the foyer of the head shed in Pet. We officially returned this gun back to the Arty last year after 100 years. Queen Victoria gave the atry colours of red and blue to the RCD (which are still incorporated in our Regimental colours. This left the arty with a white lanyard worn on the opposite shoulder in disgrace. This is probably up now, as the 100th anniversary of Leilifontien was last year. A painting of the engagement and a write up of the VC winners can be found at http://members.home.net/webmaster5/index.html.  Go to the special pages drop menu and click on Saving of the Guns at Leilifontien. Hope this clears up some stuff for ya.     

  Actually the Canadian Guns were not actually Capturped. A report that the Boers were heavuly engaing two under strength troops of Dragoons, commanded by Lt H.Z.C Cockburn, which were guarding the the left rear, brought Morrison's No.5 gun galloping acros a mile and a half of rough ground. It was quickly umlimbered and in action, the Dragoons about thrity in number, extended their line to give it protection. But less then 12 rounds were fired. Bascically the Artillery and the cavalry worked together in fine cooperation.  This is a direct quote from the Gunners of Canada Vol I by Colonel G.W.L. Nicholson CD

 

[Michael OLeary]

Canadian Army Routine Orders
No. 6868

6th December 1946

6868 - DRESS REGULATIONS FOR OFFICERS AND OTHER RANKS OF THE CANADIAN ARMY (PROVISIONAL) 1946

10. Wearing of Lanyards and Thongs:--

(a)   Whistle Lanyard--

        (i)   Officers - The colour of the whistle lanyard and the method of wearing will be at the discretion of Officers Commanding Units, providing there is uniformity within the unit.

        (ii)   Other ranks - Regulation issue.

(b)   Thongs - regulation issue.

(c)   Pistol lanyards - All ranks will wear the regulation issue khaki colour pistol lanyard.

(d)   Clasp Knife Lanyards - Regulation issue lanyard. Officers Commanding Units may authorize Other Ranks to wear a lanyard of the same colour as the whistle lanyards worn by unit officers.

(e)   Lanyards of colours other than khaki will not be a regulation issue.

(f)   Prior to the adoption or wear of a coloured whistle lanyard for officers or a coloured clasp knife lanyard for other ranks a sample of the lanyard will be forwarded to Army Headquarters for approval.

Sometimes a lanyard is just a lanyard, it's original purpose was simply to attach a whistle or clasp knife to the officer or soldier.

The RCR lanyard was khaki, because that was the regulation Army colour. The Regiment probably never pursued one in regimental colours.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Those regs seem identical to the ones in the 1943 War Dress Regulations which formed the basis for my second book.

Many regiments never adopted their own coloured lanyards.  Calgary Highlanders never did either, though I have a neat photo taken in 1939 of D Company parading in kilts and service dress - and all the NCOs seem to have a lanyard from their second front button to their right breast pocket.  I thought only the Germans did it that way.

 

[Cold Warrior]

The RCA doesn't wear lanyards with any form of dress anymore.

However there were stories in my younger days whereby the Artillery had to change sholuders for the laynard to cover a 99 yr disgrace for losing some guns in South Africa during the Boer War but redeemed itself during WW II thereby permitting us to wear the laynard on the proper shoulder.

I wonder if there is anyone out there that can verify the history.

Yep,, I can clarify it.  Not even a hint of truth to it.

 

[Arctic Acorn]

Since when were THONGS regulation issue. In 1946?

Eeeeeeew!  ;D

:dontpanic:
J.M.

 

[Michael OLeary]

Sometimes a lanyard is just a lanyard, it's original purpose was simply to attach a whistle or clasp knife to the officer or soldier.

The RCR lanyard was khaki, because that was the regulation Army colour. The Regiment probably never pursued one in regimental colours.

To update and correct my previous observation, the following is from the 1947 Dress Regulations for The Royal Canadian Regiment:

LANYARDS.
Officers and warrant officers will wear regimental lanyards of royal blue. These will be worn on the left shoulder and whistle carried in the left breast pocket.
      N.C.O.'s will wear a leather whistle strap attached to the second button of the battle dress blouse, with the whistle carried in the right breast pocket. The leather strap will be polished.

And from 1953:

2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
Regimental Dress Regulations - Officer

DUTY DRESS
Normal duty dress consists of maroon beret, drab fox puttees, battle dress, brown boots, web belt with buckles, khaki shirt with with gold coloured bar, woven light coloured rope tie, and yellow brass badges of rank. A blue whistle lanyard is worn with whistle attached. The lanyard is worn on the left shoulder and enters the left pocket between the pocket button and the shoulder.

Also from 1953:

Standing Orders
2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment
Dress Regulations for Men

Lanyards
Regimental lanyards will be worn with battle dress and Tropical Worsted when on parade or duty; by WOs and Snr NCOs. The lanyard will be worn on the right shoulder under the shoulder strap. The upper loop coming from back to front under the arm with the loop at the opening of the pocket and pointing upwards. Lanyard to be drawn tight and remainder to be tucked inro the right breast pocket.

 

[GerryCan]

Sometimes I wish we still wore the lanyard. A lot of people thought they were a nuisance that got in the way( I know a few guys that had them caught on vehicles and such), but they looked pretty sharp.

Then again...they may not look as good on Cadpat. Do any units still wear lanyards with the new Cadpat uniforms, and if so how are they attached, seeing that we used to wear them through the left eppaulette around the arm and into the left pocket, I'm not sure as to how this would work with the new uniforms.

 

[48Highlander]

It would work the same way, except you'd put it through the velcro flag thingy instead of the eppaulette.  Haven't seen anyone do it though.

 

[SHARP WO]

Lanyards are nice, but I would rather say whistle cord, and that way you do not bother certain people form certain places.

SHARP WO

 

[Observer23]

Ref: I presume the RCA still wear white lanyards on the right shoulder when in CFs (I haven't seen anybody wearing one in combats).  That is where my dad wore his (a photo of him is on the intro page to my site).
Gunners stopped wearing the white lanyard in the 70s.  Nowadays it is simply used to secure the prismatic compass to the uniform(FD).  The practice (I am guessing for nonostalgiaeasons) is the lanyard is worn on the right

 

[George Wallace]

SHARP WO

Who would take offence?  We in the Armour Corps wore lanyards.  In fact I have pictures of RCD Troopers wearing both a RCD and Arty lanyard on their Battle Dress at the same time.  By the way, isn't it for holding your 'Church Key' from getting lost or stolen?

;D

Gw

 

[SHARP WO]

G Wallace,

During the mid 90's, some members of the RCR would take offense to reserve NCO's wearing the lanyard, that is why we use to say it was a whistle cord.

Sharp WO