Uniform Accoutrements - Styles of Headress
Display of various styles of military headdress. Top Row: Coloured forage caps. 2nd Row - Spiked helmets. 3rd Row - Berets. 4th Row - Caps Khaki Fur Felt (Slouch hats). 5th Row - Women's hats. Bottom Row - Khaki forage caps and metal hat box.
Like civilian fashion, military headgear has had trends – sometimes practical, sometimes emulating military victors and sometimes just for flourish. After the Franco=Prussian war of 1870, the Home Service Helmet was introduced in 1879 . It was similar in shape to the German ‘Pickelhaube’ of the period although higher in the crown and made of cloth covered cork. As with the German helmet it had a brass spike on the top.
Disastrous experiences in the Zulu and Boer Wars led to the abandonment of decorative uniforms in field conditions and to the development of khaki uniforms with appropriate headgear. The cloth covered Foreign Service Helmet, in use for some years in India and worn at the beginning of the Boer War was gradually superseded by the slouch hat turned up on one side.
Khaki service dress, introduced in 1902, was thereafter worn on all occasions, except those where full dress was required. In these first years of the 20th century a round, khaki, peaked forage cap was introduced together with coloured versions for wear in walking out when the full dress tunic was worn. The steel helmet was introduced in 1916.
.Beginning in World war 2, cavalry regiments and the Tank Corps wore a soft beret which was much sought after and worn, if you could get away with it, by anybody else. After the war it proved a useful, practical and comfortable cap which also had a reasonable regimental appearance.
Details
Details
This display may be found in the Traditions Gallery at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia. Hands on uniform displays for try-ons and selfies are located throughout the Museum.
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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