Description
Physical description
cap
Red topped soft kepi with a dark blue band and black leather peak. The red top is trimmed with narrow dark blue piping to the crown and extends vertically from the quarters of the front, sides and rear of the headdress. Sewn to the front on to the dark blue band is a dark blue rectangle with the numbers '144' in red cloth. There are two red painted brass air vents situated, one either side of the crown. At either side of the peak are attached black domed buttons intended for securing a chinstrap (absent).
Inside the cap has a thick black leather sweatband and features a black stiffened cloth insert to the crown.
Label
The M1884 kepi was the form of headdress worn by French troops at the outset of the First World War, not being made obsolete until introduction of the horizon blue uniform that came into general service in 1915. The 1884 kepi was standard throughout the French army, differing only in the colour that defined the arm of service. Infantry regiments were further identified by the red numbers attached to the front of the cap.
From 1902 blue cap covers had been worn while on field manoeuvres and these were adopted on active service.
History note
The M1884 kepi was the form of headdress worn by French troops at the outset of the First World War, not being made obsolete until introduction of the horizon blue uniform that came into general service in 1915. The 1884 kepi was standard throughout the French army, differing only in the colour that defined the arm of service. Infantry regiments were further identified by the red numbers attached to the front of the cap.
From 1902 blue cap covers had been worn while on field manoeuvres and these were adopted on active service.
This example was worn by Sergeant Jean Bauvallet who volunteered to join the French army in August 1914. Bauvallet (aged 19) was killed in action whilst serving with the 418e Regiment d'Infanterie at Beausejour, in the Champagne region on 26 September 1915, however his fate was not confirmed until 1 August 1917.
The day before his death Sergeant Bauvallet was reported carrying his wounded lieutenant in front of the French lines for which he was awarded, posthumously, the Croix de Guerre.