Stuart Bates

Mervyn asked me "The records show only 15 men after 1905 - but, I can't find their strength for 1899 to 1902. Would you have any ref. book that would assist ?" well I found a good site - http://www.angloboer...39-natal-guides and a photo in one of my reference books showing officers and NCOs wearing the "Pith Hat." Now the term Pith Hat can mean many things but there was such a helmet photographed in the 1900 Dress Regulations. It has no description as to where it was to be worn and I have wondered for years about this. The Natal Guides do seem to be wearing this style of helmet, or at least a few, (see next post). Anyone any information or ideas on this? Stuart

The Militia Battalions appear to have had the same facing colours as the parent regiment. The 1900 DRs simply state facings of regimental colour, and the uniforms of Militia battalions the same as for Line Battalions. Graham is quite right when he says that facings virtually disappeared after 1881 for Line & Militia battalions and were replaced with Blue, White, Yellow and Green as indicated by Graham. Volunteers were not subject to the regular Army Dress Regulations and I attach a page from the 1891 Army List for the VBs of the East Kent regiment. You will see that the facings are given as Scarlet for the 1st VB and Green for the 2nd VB - the tunic being Green in both cases. I get my Army Lists from www.youroldbooksandmaps.co.uk and have permission to reproduce the odd page as the owner is a friend. All of my lists are on CD, apart from 2 hardcover, but they are all available for download. Shams, please don't ask me to go through each regiment for the facing colours as that is too large a task unless I were writing a book on the subject. This begs a re-iteration of Mervyn's question as to what you want all of this information for. You have us all intrigued. Stuart

Dear Shams, here are a couple of books of illustrations which may help - Uniforms of the Yeomanry Regiments 1783-1911 by P.H. Smitherman50 Years of Yeomanry Uniforms by R.G. HarrisThere is also a series of booklets The Uniforms of the British Yeomanry Force 1794-1914 by various authors and published by The Ogilby Trust .The one on the Staffordshire Yeomanry is ISBN 0-9515714-6-X or 9780951571460You may find Yeomanry Wars by Peter D. Athawes useful but it is not a uniform bookStuart

Mervyn, I finally found that primary school "passing out" photo. It was the class of 1959 and I am second row, third from right. You must get this thread moved to the Lounge as we will see some very interesting history when it is exposed to the GP. Stuart

Benny, any idea why they were called puggaree badges when they perforated the shell of the helmet? By definition they should have had a slider to slip between the puggaree and the shell. I've never been able to work this one out, unless they doubled as Glengarry badges. Stuart

Mervyn, I don't have a "passing out parade" photo as I was rejected for the Army for being colour-blind. I am however posting my family's passing out of 1950s Britain into the Lucky Country. I am third from left. I think Craig is correct in saying that this thread belongs in the Lounge. Stuart PS. Got to be so careful with you lot - my father is holding the pint of beer!

Shams, try this http://www.aboutbritain.com/ShropshireRegimentalMuseum.htm Stuart

My latest, an example to the Army Veterinary Department, a Volunteer example.

The illustration is of the Earl of Kilmorney, Honorary Colonel, 1897. From the description of the uniform, in the book, it is not clear whether the cuff and collar differed from the one illustrated to officers of lower ranks. Sorry, Shams, but I don't have any more information. You could contact the Regimental museum who should be able to help. Stuart

Dear Shams, you can call me Stuart Stuart

Brian, I ordered an IC7202 Jumbo Display Digital Hygrometer this morning. It is quite inexpensive and gives temperature as well as humidity. Stuart

Thanks Mervyn. I'll see where I can buy a gauge. Stuart

A week ago I bought a de-humidifier. Not really sure why because I never thought that humidity was a problem where I live. However, it has been a wet winter and I thought why not? Well having had the de-humidifier on and off for 5 or 6 days now I was astonished at the amount of water that it had extracted in that short time - at least 2-3 litres, I should have measured it, I know. My unit doesn't keep the humidity at a constant level - perhaps I should have bought one that did. Does anyone have recommendations as to what the humidity range should be in a collection room? I have heard 40% but I have no idea what is apposite. Stuart

Clive, would that publisher be Service Publications, the well known and venerated publisher of books on arcane, but essential militaria topics? I have considered such a book but there is so little to say. One can discourse on the fittings, different methods of affixing the helmet plates etc. but it soon runs out. And we are left with a book that essentially shows many, many examples of the same helmet but with different plates and top pieces. Give me some direction, and an advance, and I will give it due consideration Cheers, Stuart

Dear Shams, I only have a little information on the Shropshire Yeomanry and here it is - "Uniform - Officer: Dragoon helmet, white over scarlet plume. Dragoon tunic with scarlet collar, cuffs and piping, laced and braided gold, special cuff ornamentation (that really helps). Gold laced pouch belt and slings. Overalls blue with broad scarlet stripe. White gauntlet gloves." I have a mess uniform to the Lothian & Berwick's and it is of the Dragoon pattern. You certainly have eclectic tastes and difficult ones to track down at that Stuart

Benny, That is doubly interesting as the fasces figures prominently in French symbols e.g. http://flagspot.net/misc/fr)fasc.gif not much of a way to seek revenge. Mervyn, the 90th were in the Ionian Islands and therefore Greece for 10 years which was the only connection I could posit. Stuart

The interior.

Here is my latest acquisition, a Green Cloth to the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Many of you will have seen this one on Patrick's thread. I have no idea why he let it go, but let it go he did and I was the lucky recipient. It sports the second version of their helmet plate i.e. post 1881 and is in superb condition. Thanks Patrick! Stuart

The helmet is in a Queensland museum and has the following description. Stuart

I got these photos from a friend in Queensland. They show a 4 seam helmet but not in the style of the American ones. They lack the North/South seams. I will see if my friend can get a maker's stamp and how the ventilation around the headband is implemented. Stuart

Hugh, I speed read but unfortunately don't take much in . I should have noticed the date range - humour is so difficult via electronic communications. Stuart

Shams, all banks accept MICR encoded cheques but your cheque would have to be made out in the currency of the seller's country i.e. if Biblio seller is in the US then US dollars, if UK then Pounds Sterling. In other words you can't send a personal cheque but one raised by your bank i.e. an International (sometimes called a cashier's) cheque. Good luck. Stuart

Benny, I found the belt badge in Parkyn but he did not mention the fasces. Now Greece was under Roman rule for 400 years and so would have adopted the trappings of that rule. The 90th, 1st battalion, was in Malta and the Ionian Islands 1820 - 1830 so I wonder whether this can be the genesis of the fasces on that badge! Hugh, since Fascism was "introduced" by Mussolini I don't think we can look there Stuart

Are you saying that you can't purchase the book from another country? Can you not pay by International Cheque, money order etc. if Credit Cards are a problem? For example, when I searched the cheapest one I found was on Amazon.com but there are plenty out there http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&qi=ch29tRI.3jT2fMzZ1Hb3hATYJDQ_2048482338_1:92:563&bq=author%3Dwar%2520office%26title%3Ddress%2520regulations%2520for%2520the%2520officers%2520of%2520the%2520army%2520including%2520militia%25201900 The plates do not scan! I have tried and the results are worthless, but perhaps someone has a better scanner than mine. My copy is a reprint from 1970 and therefore may be subject to copyright. Stuart