Letters from the Trenches by one of the "Ladies from Hell"

In September of 1914, Sam Gibson, a young Scot, joined the Flagship of the 1st Canadian Expeditionary force during the 1st World War. His letters from the front, written to his sister Annie, and other relatives in Scotland, tell a story of great hardships and strain under a cloak of cheerfulness, and humor, but also reveal great courage and bravery.

His battalion was in the first gas attack at Hill 60, for which each member received and proudly wore Blue Epaulets on their uniforms that distinguished them from those who had not been involved.

Members of Scottish battalions did proudly wear their kilts even during battle. Because of the unusual uniform and their ferocity in battle, the enemy nicknamed the Scottish group, "The Ladies from Hell."

Apparently the stories of what gentlemen wear, (or don't wear) under their kilt is true. One of Sam Gibson's favorite stories for his children after the war was about wearing his Scottish Kilt when he was on leave in London and being told that men wearing kilts were not allowed to ride on the top level of double-decker buses for fear that someone from the lower level might look up and be offended.