McGillicuddy Highland Army
Encyclopedia
The McGillicuddy Highland Army is the fighting wing of New Zealand
's Clan McGillicuddy and does battle with enemies of the Clan in accordance with the rules of the pastime of pacifist warfare. Battles have taken place at wide range of locations and events around the country. During the period 1984-1999 it shared many members in common with the Clan's political wing, the better-known McGillicuddy Serious Party
.
, New Zealand
, in 1978 as the McGillicuddy Highland Regiment, the battling wing of the Clan McGillicuddy. Its foundation was inspired by a pacifist battle that Clan leader Graeme Cairns
, the Laird of Hamilton, had taken part in in Dunedin
earlier that year involving Alf's Imperial Army
(Alf's).
, and bonnet with a white cockade, with a doublet
faced in the regiment's colour. How strongly military the uniform looked varied depending upon the individuals in a regiment; whilst there were very strong variations between the regiments themselves. Appearances ranged from 17th century Scottish Jacobites
to 19th century Victorian British Scots, to South American Presidential Guard, to hippies or anarchists, with the only article in common being a kilt. One regiment even wore tartan trousers combined with Russian-style jackets and fur hats.
Clan, its Army naturally fought for the restoration of the Stuart
s to the throne of New Zealand and Scotland
. A strong rivalry with Alf's Imperial Army
soon developed, as the McGHA evolved their own idiosyncratic interpretation of pacifist warfare.
The regiments developed into the Clan's 'standing army
' with uniformed troops ready to swing into battle against the McGillicuddy Serious Party's political opponents ,, The Cambridge Borough Council ,and various 'irregular' pacifist warfare groups such as folkies, nudists , hippies, anarchists, Outward Bound
, student clubs and student hostels , .
Other uniformed 'regular' opponents, include such groups as Alf's Imperial Army , The Fort Custard Fire Dept , Black Mac's Death's Head Hussars , the Seaweed People , the Knights of the Brown Bottle , the Auckland Revolutionary Army, The Knights of the Order, and the NZ Colonial Brigade.
The name was changed to the McGillicuddy Highland Army in 1985, shortly after the Wellington
-based 3rd Laird's Own Borderers (established in March 1984 ) was officially incorporated into the Army, and its members welcomed into the Clan.
The success of the Clan's political wing, the McGillicuddy Serious Party
in the 1987 and 1990 NZ General Elections saw a rapid growth in McGHA membership, with new regiments founded in Auckland
(The 5th Thane of Gordonton's Own Islemonn), Christchurch
(The 6th Jahkirk Highland Tossers), and Dunedin
(The Blues and Greys). At its peak in late 1992, the McGHA consisted of some eight uniformed regiments boasting a combined membership of over 100 pacifist warfarers.
The most recent battle by Clan McGillicuddy saw McGillicuddy "Martians" take on Alf's Imperial Army in Oamaru on January 31, 2007, in an enactment of the "War of the Worlds".
ISSN: 1170-6333 Hamilton [N.Z.] : Och-a-non Publishing, [1988-
McGillicuddy Highland Army Rivals:
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's Clan McGillicuddy and does battle with enemies of the Clan in accordance with the rules of the pastime of pacifist warfare. Battles have taken place at wide range of locations and events around the country. During the period 1984-1999 it shared many members in common with the Clan's political wing, the better-known McGillicuddy Serious Party
McGillicuddy Serious Party
The McGillicuddy Serious Party operated as a satirical political party in New Zealand politics during the late 20th century. Between 1984 and 1999, McGillicuddy Serious provided "colour" to New Zealand politics to ensure that citizens not take the political process too seriously...
.
Origins
The McGillicuddy Highland Army (McGHA) was established in HamiltonHamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, in 1978 as the McGillicuddy Highland Regiment, the battling wing of the Clan McGillicuddy. Its foundation was inspired by a pacifist battle that Clan leader Graeme Cairns
Graeme Cairns
Graeme Cairns is a New Zealand musician, artist, and political candidate. He is perhaps best known for his role as "Laird McGillicuddy", chief of the Clan McGillicuddy, and as the only-ever leader of the Clan's satirical McGillicuddy Serious political party...
, the Laird of Hamilton, had taken part in in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
earlier that year involving Alf's Imperial Army
Alf's Imperial Army
Alf's Imperial Army, founded in 1972 , by Ian Brackenbury Channell is New Zealand's longest-running and largest pacifist warfare organisation. Organised loosely along military lines, it has Regiments in several New Zealand towns and cities...
(Alf's).
Weapons
As required by the rules of pacifist warfare, the McGHA fights its battles using strictly non-harmful weapons, such as newspaper swords and cardboard shields for personal duelling. 'Mass effect' weapons such as water bombs, flour bombs, porridge bombs, funnelators (huge slingshots), and meths mortars armed with soft or rotten fruit are also used (though water and flour bombs are the most common). 'Psychological Weapons' such as the Can-Can charge, heavy duty assault poetry, mass singing and vicious taunting are also permissible.Uniforms
The basic uniform of the McGHA regiments was a white shirt, kiltKilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
, and bonnet with a white cockade, with a doublet
Doublet
Doublet may refer to:*Doublet , a man's snug-fitting buttoned jacket that was worn from the late 14th century to the mid 17th century*Doublet , an assembled gem composed in two sections, such as a garnet overlaying green glass...
faced in the regiment's colour. How strongly military the uniform looked varied depending upon the individuals in a regiment; whilst there were very strong variations between the regiments themselves. Appearances ranged from 17th century Scottish Jacobites
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
to 19th century Victorian British Scots, to South American Presidential Guard, to hippies or anarchists, with the only article in common being a kilt. One regiment even wore tartan trousers combined with Russian-style jackets and fur hats.
Enemies
The Clan McGillicuddy being a JacobiteJacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
Clan, its Army naturally fought for the restoration of the Stuart
House of Stuart
The House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...
s to the throne of New Zealand and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. A strong rivalry with Alf's Imperial Army
Alf's Imperial Army
Alf's Imperial Army, founded in 1972 , by Ian Brackenbury Channell is New Zealand's longest-running and largest pacifist warfare organisation. Organised loosely along military lines, it has Regiments in several New Zealand towns and cities...
soon developed, as the McGHA evolved their own idiosyncratic interpretation of pacifist warfare.
The regiments developed into the Clan's 'standing army
Standing army
A standing army is a professional permanent army. It is composed of full-time career soldiers and is not disbanded during times of peace. It differs from army reserves, who are activated only during wars or natural disasters...
' with uniformed troops ready to swing into battle against the McGillicuddy Serious Party's political opponents ,, The Cambridge Borough Council ,and various 'irregular' pacifist warfare groups such as folkies, nudists , hippies, anarchists, Outward Bound
Outward Bound
Outward Bound is an international, non-profit, independent, outdoor educationorganization with approximately 40 schools around the world and 200,000 participants per year...
, student clubs and student hostels , .
Other uniformed 'regular' opponents, include such groups as Alf's Imperial Army , The Fort Custard Fire Dept , Black Mac's Death's Head Hussars , the Seaweed People , the Knights of the Brown Bottle , the Auckland Revolutionary Army, The Knights of the Order, and the NZ Colonial Brigade.
Battle Locations
Battles have taken place in towns and cities all around New Zealand, and at public events such as University Orientation weeks and Capping Events , Folk Festivals, Local Carnivals , Wine and Food Festivals , Snow Festivals , Swimming Pool Openings , School Gala Days, and Summer City programs .Brief history
The 1st Flying Claymores were the first company in the regiment, quickly followed by the 2nd McBormann Fusiliers, both based in Hamilton.The name was changed to the McGillicuddy Highland Army in 1985, shortly after the Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
-based 3rd Laird's Own Borderers (established in March 1984 ) was officially incorporated into the Army, and its members welcomed into the Clan.
The success of the Clan's political wing, the McGillicuddy Serious Party
McGillicuddy Serious Party
The McGillicuddy Serious Party operated as a satirical political party in New Zealand politics during the late 20th century. Between 1984 and 1999, McGillicuddy Serious provided "colour" to New Zealand politics to ensure that citizens not take the political process too seriously...
in the 1987 and 1990 NZ General Elections saw a rapid growth in McGHA membership, with new regiments founded in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
(The 5th Thane of Gordonton's Own Islemonn), Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
(The 6th Jahkirk Highland Tossers), and Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
(The Blues and Greys). At its peak in late 1992, the McGHA consisted of some eight uniformed regiments boasting a combined membership of over 100 pacifist warfarers.
Current status
As of 2009, the Clan McGillicuddy has no 'standing' uniformed regiments, although the Army has never been formally demobbed. Many Clan members still answer the Laird's calls to arms, and the Clan will still happily meet in battle any opponents who wish to challenge them.The most recent battle by Clan McGillicuddy saw McGillicuddy "Martians" take on Alf's Imperial Army in Oamaru on January 31, 2007, in an enactment of the "War of the Worlds".
Sources
Largely taken from issues of the Clan McGillicuddy's magazine Th'Noo in particular issue number 10/11. Available in the National Library of New Zealand.ISSN: 1170-6333 Hamilton [N.Z.] : Och-a-non Publishing, [1988-
External links
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