Stuart Bates

I have just acquired this experimental sun helmet dated 1896. There are only two known survivors - the other being posted on the Wolseley Helmets topic started by Peter Suciu. The owner of that one states: "It is the only rank and file quality helmet ever found with the makers name of Hawkes & Company, of 14 Piccadilly, within it. The company is not known ever to have named another rank and file helmet. The experimental helmet had less of a peak and a much flatter nape. It also had considerable height taken out of the crown. Trialled in Sheffield and Manchester, this experimental helmet was unpopular on grounds of styling, the men disliked it." Here is a side shot:

What regiments were stationed around "Sheffield and Manchester" in 1896? Stuart

Well, I guess the "ears" have it :-) Stuart

Chris, could very well be so! Stuart

I am not at all surprised that it was disliked by the soldiery. Let's face it, it is a rather ugly helmet with Germanic styling which would not have gone down well with the British. I have no idea why the rippling to the sides, and it would appear to give no more protection from the sun than the Colonial pattern helmet (Zulu & Boer war) which it was meant to replace. And the steep front brim would not have overcome the criticism of the Colonial's front peak causing problems when the men were firing their rifles in the prone position. The removal of the side rosettes, chinchain and the ventilator cap is probably explained by the fact that these could be re-used. This example was found in garage in the village of Banwell, Somerset, UK. However, I am very pleased to have obtained it and just as pleased to share. Stuart

And here is a top view

Here is the interior

I have just acquired this experimental sun helmet dated 1896. There are only two known survivors - the other being posted on the Wolseley Helmets topic started by Peter Suciu. The owner of that one states: "It is the only rank and file quality helmet ever found with the makers name of Hawkes & Company, of 14 Piccadilly, within it. The company is not known ever to have named another rank and file helmet. The experimental helmet had less of a peak and a much flatter nape. It also had considerable height taken out of the crown. Trialled in Sheffield and Manchester, this experimental helmet was unpopular on grounds of styling, the men disliked it." Here is a side shot:

The books have finally arrived in Canada and the UK. See my earlier post for contact details. Stuart

The shoulder flash is indeed that of the Australian Flying Corps which "was raised in 1915 as No.1 Half Flight AFC for service in Mesoptamia, No's 1 to 4 Squadrons AFC being raised during 1916." (Distinguishing Colour Patches of the Australian Military Forces by Keith Glyde). The official history describes them as (Aust.) Squadrons R.F.C. The shoulder flash shown was worn from 1917 - 1919, and unofficial versions had a brass numeral to the centre which indicated the squadron. Stuart

Mervyn, your copy is winging its way to you as we speak. Stuart

I notice that the Compton maker's label has a date of 1916 and this gells with the 8 cork spacers between the headband and the shell. Alternative methods of headband ventilation started in 1917 but Vero's seemed to be the preferred method and was patented in 1925. Stuart

Ok, I have taken delivery of my allocation in Australia and the others will (should) receive theirs by 14th January. Distribution is as follows - Australia & NZ - stuartbates@bigpond.com USA - www.militarysunhelmets.com/ Canada - www.servicepub.com/ UK - Jon mills cdwardens@yahoo.co.uk UK - http://www.bookworldws.co.uk/

I don't believe that Fusiliers wore the last pattern shako as in the 1864 Dress regulations they are defined as having a lambskin cap with grenade to the front and a white horse hair plume (red over white for the 5th). I can only assume that this plume was affixed to the front of the cap - I have never seen one. In 1866 they adopted their own distinctive sealskin cap with grenade to the front and plume to the side. Sealskin was like a smooth "Bearskin" rather than a "fluffy" Bearskin. In 1871 the Racoonskin cap was taken into service for officers but I don't know about the other ranks. This is confirmed by the 1874 Dress Regulations. It was replaced by a Bearskin cap at a later date, sometime between the 1894 DRs and the 1900 DRs.. Stuart

I will post interior shots when I get the helmet.

I just bought this Boer War helmet which, while not unique, is very rare. It was called the 'K' pattern and was made of wicker with a white cotton cover. Note the "pith band" rather than the cotton drill pagri. It was worn with a khaki cover during the war and was a mass-produced item because of the problems with cork supply. In fact it is probable that most of the British soldiers, in the Boer War, wore this type of helmet rather than the one made of cork. Enjoy! Stuart

The best I came up with, on checking Keith Glyde's book Distinguishing Colour Patches of the Australian Military Forces, was three strips to the 9th, 10th and 11th Australian Field Ambulance, 1917. He states that a strip of 9" long by 1/2" wide possibly was used in, respectively, green, red and light blue. He does not say whether it was worn vertically or horizontally. This was requested on 31/5/1917 and the shoulder flash is certainly not 9" in length, but since the photo predates that request of the C.O. 10th Aust. Field Ambulance, who knows what was used prior to that date. Nothing is sacred. I feel that I have just muddied the waters, but... Stuart

Queen Victoria born 24 May 1819, reigned 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901. The caption says that the limber was captured on 28th November. Now the Battle of Modder River was fought on this day, 1899, in Methuen's effort to relieve Kimberley. Kekewich staged a "strong" demonstration on this same day so I would conclude that the photo is just after 28th November 1899 and, therefore, before Queen Victoria's death. "Our" man certainly doesn't look like an officer. Stuart

If they are officers, as Mervyn suggests, then it cannot be Lefevre who was a gunner.

What about the fellow, second from left, in posting #8? Stuart

Leigh, I was thinking of your taking a photo to a photographic store which can enhance old photos. I have no idea what they use but think it pre-dates PhotoShop. My photographer friend, Nick, is a wizard with PhotoShop so if you would like to send over a photo, at hi-res, I will get him to muck around with it. Cheers, Stuart

Quite right Leigh! I did not read Mervyn's posting properly and then could not delete my own posting, hence the frustration. I meant to go back and search for Lefevre but am having problems with my UPS so forgot. It's OK Merv, I took my pills. How does one delete a posting? Stuart

Arrgh!

I did a search on the 38th Hussars and came up with 6 items that lead nowhere except to this forum http://www.btshattereddawn.com/forums/index.php?topic=985.0 I am no gamer but I think the belt is merchandise from the game Shatterdawn by BattleTech. It certainly looks new. Stuart

Leigh, another lovely photo and yes, his helmet has a khaki cover. Have you tried digital enhancement of any of your photos? No jokes about "digital" please. Stuart