Description
Physical description
cap
Soft topped cap made of khaki cloth with a multi-stitched flexible cloth peak. The cap has a brown leather chinstrap fitted secured by two small crested brass GS buttons. The cap features a bi-metal cap badge of The Essex Regiment.
Label
The standard service dress cap prescribed for wear by all non-commissioned ranks of the British Army from 1905, excluding Scottish regiments, was the rigid round-topped cap with stiffened cloth peak. Although it smartly bore the wearer's cap badge it was not an entirely practical form of headdress in either bright sunshine or windy weather. One concession to wet conditions was that it was lined with a waterproof black oilskin composition to the crown. This cap continued in service throughout the First World War but was augmented by the 1915 pat. winter trench cap, known as the 'Gor Blimey', and the later soft peaked field cap in 1917. Both of the latter had their merits, and had the uppermost regard of comfort to the soldier in mind and could be folded away and stowed easily when not worn.
Naturally as shrapnel helmets became available on a wider scale of issue from 1916, cloth headdress was worn less in the trenches.
History note
The standard service dress cap prescribed for wear by all non-commissioned ranks of the British Army from 1905, excluding Scottish regiments, was the rigid round-topped cap with stiffened cloth peak. Although it smartly bore the wearer's cap badge it was not an entirely practical form of headdress in either bright sunshine or windy weather. One concession to wet conditions was that it was lined with a waterproof black oilskin composition to the crown. This cap continued in service throughout the First World War but was augmented by the 1915 pat. winter trench cap, known as the 'Gor Blimey', and the later soft peaked field cap in 1917. Both of the latter had their merits, and had the uppermost regard of comfort to the soldier in mind and could be folded away and stowed easily when not worn.
Naturally as shrapnel helmets became available on a wider scale of issue from 1916, cloth headdress was worn less in the trenches.
Printed (in white inside)
... 6 1/4
1918
246
W^D