Which ear to wear a beret over?

[macwilkin]

In that picture it is definitely over the right ear, but the caubeen is worn by Irish regiments over the right ear as seen below:

Those lads are not from the London Irish, though -- The pictures' URL credits them as members of the Royal Irish Rangers, who wear their caubeens in the traditional manner. The Rangers later became the Royal Irish Regiment.

The London Irish are a Territorial Battalion of the London Regiment, a sister unit of the London Scottish:

http://www.londonirishrifles.com/Images/patrol3.gif

http://www.drummajor.net/images/London%20Regiment.jpg

http://www.drummajor.net/images/DM%2...%20Incline.jpg

Notice the caubeens.

Here's a lad from the Irish Regiment of Canada:

http://oakvilleatwar.opl.on.ca/img/thumb/SW0144t.jpg

Osprey has a great book out now on the Irish Regiments which has some photos and prints of caubeens being worn a la the London Irish.

Todd

[Chef]

Thanks for the link. I stand corrected. The only pictures I found of the caubeen being worn to the left were old ones. The new ones being pics of the Irish Rangers and the Irish Regiment all with caubeens to the right. Looks to be a unit specific moniker. Many units over the years had these peculiarities, but most have gone the way of the dinosaur. Kind of nice to see some of that. What would be interesting to know is whether that is "officially" sanctioned or just allowed.

[macwilkin]

Besides the aforementioned London Irish, the pipers of the "Micks" -- the Irish Guards -- wear their caubeens with the badge over the right eye:

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/04555...h025070432.jpg

Notice the maroon and blue shoulder flash of the Household Division.

http://www.irishseamensrelativesasso...ade%202005.jpg

http://www.irishseamensrelativesasso...h%20Guards.jpg

http://www.stevebennett.20m.com/rab_tum.jpg

Cheers,

Todd

[Archangel]

In that picture it is definitely over the right ear, but the caubeen is worn by Irish regiments over the right ear as seen below:

Don't stand between a machine gun and a drum.

[walkerk]

Just when you think it's safe and you've got all your kilt issues fixed, the Hat Police show up!

[pipesndrumsnun]

Oh, my! The dog will refuse to go outside with you if you don't have the cap on correctly! Watch out!

[KiltedKop45]

Is that a waiter in the center of the picture???????

[KiltedKop45]

Oh, I forgot, uh, Single Malt please.

[Raptor]

Legion Etrangere also wear their berets pulled over the left ear...

[macwilkin]

Is that a waiter in the center of the picture???????

That's "Mess Dress", generally worn by military officers in the British Commonwealth and the US.

Todd