Pith Helmets

[BoldHighlander]

One can find photos of Highland soldiers wearing kilts and pith helmets with the pyramids in the background - if one wants a current affairs/Egyptian tie in.

It doesn't have pyramids or pith helmets, but here's one of the Black Watch at the sphinx:



Here are some with pith helmets (Boer War) that I've posted previously in the Vintage Kilt photo thread:

[BoldHighlander]

[BoldHighlander]

What Price Glory

UK Pith Helmets, Wolseley Pattern
"This is the type used from 1900-1943, with the long neck flap."

[Mael Coluim]

What Price Glory

UK Pith Helmets, Wolseley Pattern
"This is the type used from 1900-1943, with the long neck flap."

Here's some in action. The soldier standing is my Mum's uncle, Capt. James Robertson, Kings Regiment-Liverpool, Kyber Pass, Northwest Territories circa pre 1939.

[Mael Coluim]

This open weave sun helmet has been serving me well for over 25 years!

[Biathlonman]

One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

Not sure one's clan badge would look good on the front where a regimental one was placed in the pre-Khaki era.

[BoldHighlander]

Black Watch (WW1 era)

[BoldHighlander]

Here are two more I ran across in my files:

One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree -

(Note left side of their helmets in both pics ~ may or may not be tartan, but the idea is there )

Officers of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers in Pretoria (1910):



Camerons and Seaforths burying their dead after the Battle of Atbara, 8th of April 1898

[BobsYourUncle]

One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

Not sure one's clan badge would look good on the front where a regimental one was placed in the pre-Khaki era.

What you describe was the standard way unit insignia were worn on Pith Helmets in the Scottish regiments at various times in their service of the empire. The photos that follow come from two sources: (1) Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, by Alastair Campbell of Airds, Tempus Publishing 2005, a collection of photographs fro the Regimental Museum at Stirling Castle, and (2) Regiment Magazine, Issue 32, Sept/Oct 1998.

This is a photo of Kit Layout for Inspection, 1926, A&SH p. 56. This clearly shows the tartan badge backing and white hackle on the pith helmet, referred to in the text as a Solar Topee. This is one of the best views of the way the badge backing and hackle were affixed.



Here is a photo of an Argyll private, also clearly showing the configuration, this time in Cairo between the wars. This photo is from the Regiment Magazine spread.



Another private, another view:



Here's the CO sporting the look, in Regiment Magazine:



Also in Egypt--A&SH p. 51. "An attempt to enforce the disarming of two Egyptian battalions led to a vicious action in which one officer and five other ranks were killed and seven wounded. The Acting CO, Maj. J.R. Couper, was awarded the DSO and Privates G. McLeod (left) and J. Wright (right) received Military Medals.



The Prince of Wales inspects the 91st A&SH 1st Bn in Poona, 19 November 1921, A&SH p. 50. "The Prince's combination of Tropical and Home Service uniform earned him a rocket from his father."



The same badge backing/hackle arrangement for the 2d Bn A&SH in India, Regiment Magazine:



However, no badge backing or white hackle in evidence in the Tochi Valley, Waziristan in 1897, Regiment Magazine:



However, the badge backing is present on the Argyll's pith helmets in Waziristan in 1937, A&SH p. 63:

[BoldHighlander]

Here's some in action. The soldier standing is my Mum's uncle, Capt. James Robertson, Kings Regiment-Liverpool, Kyber Pass, Northwest Territories circa pre 1939.

That has always been one of my favourite pictures on here, Ern!