What Unit does this helmet belong to?

[Stuart Bates]

Can anyone identify the unit to which this helmet belongs? The colours are Dark Blue/White/Maroon as far as I can tell. The blue may be a dark green but we think it more likely blue.

Stuart

[David S]

Those are RAF colors.

[Bob Lyons]

It is an RAF pith helmet from between the wars I think, a friend of mine has a mint example in his collection too, will verify it with him.

Bob

[Stuart Bates]

David & Bob,

thanks for the ID. Can either or both of you recommend a good book on regimental/corps flashes of the British forces? And I take it that the first colour is dark blue?

Stuart

Edited February 28, 2007 by Stuart Bates

[Graham Stewart]

Stuart,

Sadly no major work has ever been written which depicts the various badges/cloth flashes that were worn on foreign service helmets. As an example I was looking at some 2nd DLI photo's, taken in India 1912, at the weekend and didn't realise that like the Northumberland Fusiliers, that they also wore flash of cloth behind the pagri, although not as deep, but in dark green. On the left/right(can't remember which) side of the helmet was an oblong cloth patch with the intials D.L.I. in regimental colours.

Have seen many such examples over the years, but sadly no references.

Graham.

[Stuart Bates]

Graham,

sounds like a project for you when you have finished with the Northumberland Fusiliers

Stuart

[The Saint]

There a list of pith helmet flashes and/or ornament in "British Army Uniforms and Insignia of World War Two", by Brian L. Davis. Description only though.

Eric

[Stuart Bates]

Thanks Eric, I will do a search for it. Pity if there are no photos though.

Stuart