Boer War Helmets & Headgear

[Stuart Bates]

Here is the pride and joy of my sun (pith) helmet collection. It is to Paget's Horse which formed part of the 19th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. The unit was raised by Major George Thomas Cavendish Paget in 1900. He served as second in command.

[Stuart Bates]

Here is the reverse side which illustrates the shape known as the "10th Hussars" because of the rather more steep inclination of the peak and nape than that of the regulation pattern. Not quite the "smart" shape as warned of in the 1900 DRs but distinctive nevertheless.

Stuart

Edited May 10, 2009 by Stuart Bates

[Mervyn Mitton]

Stuart - we all need a copy of your book ! You should be able to keep us in exciting posts for years to come ??? Thankyou.

[Stuart Bates]

Maybe not "years to come" but here is my other Boer War helmet. This one is to the 4th Battalion of the King's Own Royal Lancaster regiment.

Stuart

[Mervyn Mitton]

Is the numeral printed or, brass ? Looking forward to your book arriving may I do a review for the Forum ?

[Stuart Bates]

Mervyn,

the numeral is brass.

Stuart

[leigh kitchen]

Nice helmets, it's interesting that the patch of the 4th Lancasters is'nt a simple lozenge shape but is shaped in a curve around the word "Lancaster", I have'nt seen that before.

[Stuart Bates]

According to Ray Westlake's book Collecting Metal Shoulder Titles the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) changed their shoulder title in 1899 from R.Lanc.R to Lancaster then to R Lancaster in 1902. So I take it that the flash is 1899 - 1902.

Ron Kidd, who wrote a series of articles on Boer War flashes, also backs this up and states that there were several different flashes in use at that time of varying sizes and wording. Flashes also varied from battalion to battalion in some regiments.

Stuart

[leigh kitchen]

Presumably, though I don't know how quick a unit would be to replace embroidered shoulder straps rather than detachable metal titles.

I can see why there would be variation, given the use of shoulderstraps for these flashes, I would imagine that obsolete shoulder straps were used as well as those currently in use from worn out & struck off garments?

[Stuart Bates]

Leigh,

there is a debate about how much and, indeed, whether shoulder straps were ever used for flashes. Regiments would have had ample supplies of red cloth to make such articles without destroying perfectly good tunics. However, tunics at the end of their life would probably have been used when necessary.

Stuart

[leigh kitchen]

The one I want is the grenade over LF of the Lancashire Fusiliers - used on their berets in the 1950's, but off topic.

[Stuart Bates]

I have been told that the Lancashire Fusiliers flash is the most faked one of all.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Leigh - off topic - we bought a beret last week with the large LF and grenade above and with the hackle. Inside it is properly marked and says 'KOREA' - Let me know if interested. Merv

[Stuart Bates]

My latest Boer War helmet is to the Western Australian Military forces. The helmet plate was worn from 1895.

[Stuart Bates]

It came complete with its khaki cover and the hole for the high hook matches perfectly with the helmet's high hook.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Another lovely addition for your collection. Is the Black Swan painted or, cut-out ? The helmet chain must have been very long with the high hook ?

[Stuart Bates]

Hi Mervyn,

the swan is painted. Pity as an enamel one would have been so much better.

I guess the chinchain would have had many extra loops at the end to allow it to be hooked up.

One of the nicer aspects of this helmet is that it came from a dealer's private collection. That makes two so far, the other being my 1913 Australian Engineers Wolseley from the same dealer.

Stuart

[Peter_Suciu]

I haven't posted in a while, so I figured I'd post this one. My Royal Artillery helmet.

[Jamie770]

Absolutely outstanding helmets of a type I've always wanted to have an example off!

Many thanks to all for posting, these have been great to see.

[Brian Wolfe]

Thanks for the great posts. I've always been fasinated by the Boer War as it was the first war that Canada, as a nation, was involved in. I'm not counting the war of 1812 as we were not a nation until 1867.

Regards

Brian

[Stuart Bates]

OK! Now we need Clive to post a Canadian helmet. I think he has at least some photos.

[servicepub]

OK! Now we need Clive to post a Canadian helmet. I think he has at least some photos.

Stuart,

As you know I am still in Haiti while my helmets are in Ottawa. If you have the photos of my Boer War-era helmet to the 43rd (later Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa) which I sent to Chris please post it on my behalf.

Clive

[Stuart Bates]

Here is Clive's beautiful Boer War helmet to the 43rd Carleton Rifles (later the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa).

[Stuart Bates]

Side view.

[William1]

Here is the pride and joy of my sun (pith) helmet collection. It is to Paget's Horse which formed part of the 19th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. The unit was raised by Major George Thomas Cavendish Paget in 1900. He served as second in command.

A very nice helmet, Stuart. This was mine about 15 years ago! My Boer War collection's long dispersed but included a Seaforth Hr's helmet to a Magersfontein casualty and an Indian patt. to a Gloster's Rietfontein casualty. These days I just collect WW1 Brit items but maintain an interest in the Boer War and still have a few bits left, no headgear though. Your Lancaster helmet is a beauty.

Regards,

W.