Stuart Bates

Hi Patrick, well I didn't actually say that the variation was specifically for the RND. I said "I think that the 'variation' to the front and rear of the puggaree may be for the RND." I have never seen this before and wouldn't be at all surprised if it is found on other units' helmets. But I guess I was indulging in a "leap of faith." Interesting that the nearest officers in your photo are wearing flashes. I wonder what they consist of. They are not apparent on the other two helmets. You can clearly see the blue top pleat to the puggaree on the two closest helmets. I didn't know that they adopted this Royal Navy distinction but, then again, I haven't given much thought to the RND until the last few days. I did read that the RND hated having an Army commander and did not like being referred to as an Army unit. Nor were they much enamoured with being re-designated the 63rd Division. I also read that ranks were filled with army men to make up for the casualties. Stuart

Mervyn, in case you did not already know you will have determined from Patrick's reply that the RND was divided into battalions named after famous sailors. 1st Brigade Benbow Collingwood Hawke Drake 2nd Brigade Howe Hood Anson Nelson I have ordered a print of the photo so maybe that will be of a higher resolution. Stuart

One of the helmets which shows the variation.

It is my understanding that the War Department stamp was applied when an item was accepted into stores and not when issued out of stores. There may well have been a lapse of time between its being taken into stores and its subsequent issue and re-issue which may have taken place in the field. The earlier name could have been a member of the RND but it is undecipherable so we shall never know. I did find one R Bell when I did a preliminary search of the archives but he was a high ranking officer and this is an ordinary seaman's version. More research when I get round to it. The previous owner had the helmet for 35 years and is a personal friend of one of my English contributors to my book so I am convinced that it is genuine, but alas with these unanswered questions. I think that the "variation" to the front and rear of the puggaree may be for the RND as I found a photo of them charging at the Third Battle of Krithia and, unless my eyes deceive me, one can see the style of puggaree on, at least, two of the helmets shown. As always these photos are never clear enough.

Here is the rear of the helmet showing the same variation to the "V" of the puggaree as to the front.

Here is the War Department stamp of 1909.

An interior shot showing the name R. Bell and 1st Drake. Note also that there is a name erased and overlaid by R. Bell.

This is quite an exciting addition. A Wolseley to the Royal Naval Division and dated 1909. By far the earliest Wolseley that I have seen. Since the RND fought at Gallipoli and then moved to the Western Front I have to say that this one has provenance to the Gallipoli Campaign. It has handwritten on the front "Drake" and "RND". Note the variation to the front of the puggaree. There are some breakages in the cork but that must be expected in such an old cork helmet, but overall it is in good condition. Stuart

Always good to see period photos of soldiers in the field. I have strained my eyes to the max on the flash to the helmet. The second letter could be either "V" or "W". If "V" then I have no idea but if "W" if could be 1st Battalion Duke of Wellington's. Can you improve the scan of the flash so the letters can be identified? Stuart

Leigh, I have just received a reply from Charlie at Bluebell Militaria - the one who has the badge. He says - "I seem to have misled you regarding the pagri pipers badge. In the same circumstances it would have also been worn by pipers from the 2nd Battalion." I still think it is the 2nd Battalion. Stuart

Spot on Leigh. How do you do it? It's as you say - number 938 and described on page 110. Number 939 is interesting in that it has "CANADA" on the scroll beneath the cypher. Stuart

Hi Kevin, any idea what it is worth? I am letting go non-core items so I can buy more helmets. Cheers, Stuart

Leigh is correct in stating that there were two sizes for the badge used by the Norfolk Yeomanry. The larger was used on the Forage Cap by ORs and on the collar by officers in mess and levee dress (seems a tad big for this though at 50mm x 43mm). The smaller was used by officers on the collar of their frock coats in gilding metal. Stuart

It also contained these three wads?

Here is the card.

I was given this item several years ago by a friend who has no interest in Militaria. I have no idea what it is other than the handwritten card contained within. The device contains a green glass/gemstone to the centre surrounded by what probably would have been eight smaller such items. Any help much appreciated. Stuart

Michael, since Queen Victoria died on 22nd January 1901 and the funeral was held on 2nd February 1901 I doubt that there would have been enough time to organise Canadian Militia troops to attend the funeral. Unless, of course, they had previously sailed to England prior to embarking for South Africa. But that seems a very round-about way of getting into the Boer War. Stuart

Leigh, down boy, down! PM me with an offer which will not be refused The postage shouldn't be much. Stuart

Alex, what did you use to get the splendid enlargements from the original photo? I took it into PhotoShop but it pixellated so quickly as to be useless. Stuart

Kaiser Wilhelm is on the white horse, Edward in the middle and unknown (Duke of Connaught?) making up the three. See blow-up below. As I said earlier the Duke of Connaught is specifically mentioned with the other two in the clip of the funeral that Simon found - "King Edward VII, Duke of Connaught and the Kaiser follow the coffin on horseback." So far I have not established that Tzar Nicholas II was even at the funeral which I find hard to believe. Must check harder.

I have blown up the photograph, although it pixellates very quickly, and it seems that Edward is behind the first lot of horsemen and attendants after the cortege. I think he is flanked by Kaiser Wilhelm and the Duke of Connaught. I got the latter from Simon's link to Pathe News. Was not Nicholas II at the funeral? Stuart

I have one but with no contents - courtesy of an ex-girlfriend. If anyone would like it then let me know as it should belong to someone who would appreciate it more than I ever can. Stuart

This form of Forage Cap was around at least as early as 1902. I found a couple of photos of examples to the Norfolk Yeomanry with captions giving dates of wear 1902-1914. It was referred to as the "Staff Pattern" forage cap and other Yeomanry units used it c1902. I have to correct my earlier date of 1905 for the British Army since these caps appear in the 1904 DRs, as previously stated. Perhaps the 1905 date is for Other Ranks' adoption. Stuart