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most notably the much disliked ‘cap, forage, new pattern’,

of state for war, although he actually had nothing to do with the

cap itself. It was to be universal for all other ranks, except for

Scottish regiments and troops serving in hot climates. In style

peak. There were only a few minor changes, mostly to the way

the cap was made up and some of the lining materials, during

chinstrap changed from a double-ended adjustable type (as on

Five men of the Army Service Corps. Three are wearing the

service dress cap and two the winter service dress cap. All

man standing at the left are much darker; the shades of khaki

varied considerably, but these are so dark that they could be

wearing a waterproof cap cover. These were issued for wear

in wet weather as the cap was not waterproof alone. Although

considerably smarter than its precedent, this was the only

advantage; the cap offered no real protection from the weather,

provided no warmth, and was little seen at the front as the

needs of the soldier changed during the war.

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Five men of the Army Service Corps.

The cap is covered with the same khaki wool cloth as the

service dress jacket and trousers. The band is formed of

stiffened buckram, card and black oilskin, correctly ‘American

Cloth’, with a band liner of the same material. The peak is of

stiffened card, covered on the inside with green paper-cloth.

This is stitched to the cap body. Two eyelets on each side

over the ears provide ventilation. The cap is lined to the crown

with American cloth, and the crown is stiffened with a wire to

maintain its shape. The leather chinstrap is attached with two

small General Service buttons.

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close inspection however, this appears original to the cap. It is

nearly identical to the previous cap in construction. The small

peak is one of the easiest ways to recognise a wartime cap;

although very similar patterns of this type of cap continued in

but these are easy to distinguish for other reasons, i.e. the use

of plastic materials in the manufacture.

buttons were just one of many items in short supply with the

sudden increase in demand, so alternatives were sought.

Leather buttons were also made in different sizes throughout

the war for jackets, greatcoats and leather jerkins. One is

missing here, with just the backing and shank remaining.

The stamp here was added at the point of inspection. It shows

the inspectors number, war department initials and broad

arrow and the letter referring to the depot it passed through.

Although absent in both examples shown here, a maker’s

stamp is often present, which may include the date and size.

The date of issue, regiment and the soldier’s number are also

sometimes found.

The chinstrap could be adjusted by the two small brass

used when occasion required it.

The large ventilation eyelets are another visible sign of a correct

WW1 period cap. They were reduced in size post 1921,

however some, but not all pre-war caps also have smaller

eyelets.

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The band is similarly padded, and again lined with shirt

material. The pull down neck curtain is thickened by layers

of cotton material between inner and outer khaki cloth. This is

multi-stitched to hold it in place and provide some stiffening.

Two cloth ‘keepers’ are sewn to the ends of the chinstrap side

pieces. These serve to keep the pieces together and allow

them to be pulled tight around the chin, or over the top of the

cap when not in use. The peak is soft, although reinforced

internally with extra layers of material to give it some shape.

looks than functionality. The cap had a neck curtain that

could be pulled down over the ears and held in place with the

‘chinstrap’ that folded over the top when not in use. There was

in shape.

These were made of the same khaki wool cloth as all other

with with shirt material. A spiral of stitches held the padding in

place. The only labels in these caps are as here – a small paper

disc glued to the shirt lining showing the size.

The shortcomings of the service dress cap were obvious. The

winter service dress cap was introduced in November 1914

to at least provide some warmth, though at the expense of

appearance. It soon earned the nickname ‘gor- blimey’,

apparently uttered by passing NCOs more concerned with

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The band is sim

material. The pull

of cotton material

multi-stitched to

Two cloth ‘keepers

pieces. These s

them to be pulled

cap when not in

internally with ex