Pith Helmets

[BoldHighlander]

I just want some weather that woull call for a pith helmet in the first place.

Aye, so do I! ith:

Thanks to all those who dug up those great desert photos by the way.

Your welcome! :mrgreen:

[macwilkin]

This is a JOKE - as should have been obvious, but I guess I must spell it out.

It's Ho and General Giap speculating on what would happen had highlanders faced them in Vietnam. Of course the Legion, Rangers, LRRPs, SAS, Seals and other special forces caused them no end of grief.
I just want some weather that woull call for a pith helmet in the first place. Thanks to all those who dug up those great desert photos by the way.

There were Highlanders in Malaya & Borneo, though, as well as C Squadron, Rhodesian SAS.

For those wanting to read about the Aussies in Vietnam, Gary McKay's In Good Company is a good place to start.

T.

[Mael Coluim]

What Price Glory

UK Pith Helmets, Wolseley Pattern
"This is the type used from 1900-1943, with the long neck flap."

Here's some in action. The soldier standing is my Mum's uncle, Capt. James Robertson, Kings Regiment-Liverpool, Kyber Pass, Northwest Territories circa pre 1939.

[Mael Coluim]

This open weave sun helmet has been serving me well for over 25 years!

[Biathlonman]

One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

Not sure one's clan badge would look good on the front where a regimental one was placed in the pre-Khaki era.

[CelticRanger66]

What Price Glory

UK Pith Helmets, Wolseley Pattern
"This is the type used from 1900-1943, with the long neck flap."

This is the type pith helmet I wear during the summer , when I make back to my farm in Virginia! Very comfortable.

[BoldHighlander]

Here's some in action. The soldier standing is my Mum's uncle, Capt. James Robertson, Kings Regiment-Liverpool, Kyber Pass, Northwest Territories circa pre 1939.

That has always been one of my favourite pictures on here, Ern!

[BoldHighlander]

Black Watch (WW1 era)

[Downunder Kilt]

What a great photo to have of a family member Ern. I have not seen it on the forum before, so thanks for posting it again in this thread.

[BoldHighlander]

One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

More or less like the Scottish Horse and the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers in the early 1900's

Scottish Horse Slouch Hat
(presented by Lord Bruce Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, June 1996)



Worn by the Marquis of Tullibardine, founder of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers on his return to Scotland in 1902 as Officer Commanding the Scottish Horse (Yeomanry).

Notes: The inside label indicates the manufacturer, "Lincoln Bennet, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, London".

Also, only the Commanding Officer would wear the silk Murray of Athol tartan in the pogri.

Having founded the Regiment, the Marquis of Tullibardine recommended that the new Regiment used the Scottish Horse slouch hat and black cock feather. This head dress was only used in the period 1902 to 1906.

The hat in action:

Lieutenant William John English
2nd Scottish Horse
3rd July 1901 (Boer War)



Members of the 2nd Scottish Horse in South Africa during the Boer War:



Captain Arnold Statham Milne,
Transvaal Scottish Volunteers

Not sure one's clan badge would look good on the front where a regimental one was placed in the pre-Khaki era.

I have a good friend (state commissioner for Clan Cameron) who wears a Cameron badge on the front of his wide brimmed boonie hat (no tartan swatch). It doesn't look half bad, though I'd personally rather wear it on the side.

Come to think of it, it might be an old Cameron Highlanders military badge he wears(?)