|
Non Australian Slouch
Hats (page 3) |
|
The
word slouch refers to a hat with a brim that droops down all the way
around unless rolled or held |
 |
| Mafeking, South Africa,
C. 1900. Members of the Protectorate Regiment at one of the
outpost forts, carrying Lee Metford rifles. (Donor
C. Booth) |
 |
|
| Brand
new, unissued Gurkha slouch hat. Note the heavier brim. In Gurkha
Regiments the brim is worn flat. The thicker brim makes it easier to
keep the brim perfectly straight. |
| Trooper
Walter Ernest Dexter. Between 1900-02 and 1901-01 he fought in the South
African war in Lumsden's Horse, a unit of mounted volunteers recruited
in India. Dexter won the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
(Donor: d. Dexter) |
|
 |
| Mafeking, South Africa, c.
1900. A detachment of the Cape Police in uniform and with Lee-Metford
rifles. (Donor C. Booth) |
|
The Scottish Horse wore
slouch hats in the Boer War |
 |
 |
| This
British unit was raised in South Africa and was comprised of South
African, Scottish and Australian men. Outdoors group portrait of
unidentified members of the 2nd Scottish Horse. It was largely recruited
in Victoria, Australia. The three NCOs seated in the centre front row
are identified as: Sergeant (Sgt) F Kecrouse; Sergeant Major Whatmore;
Corporal R Hodgson. Sgt Kecrouse of Melbourne was mentioned in
despatches for rescuing a comrade under fire at Laatse Drift on 15 July
1901. All others are unidentified. The Scottish Horse also served at
Gallipoli. |
 |
| WW2
British Slouch Hat dated 1942 made by Adam Ashworth & Sons (Bury)
Ltd size 7 dated 1942 with broad arrow. Left brim is held up by a
press stud which is stamped NEWEY PAT - 201430 - 22. Hat also has
a slider brass badge on the front which has the lettering R.W.A.F.F.
(Royal West African Frontier Force) |
 |
| The photos
below were supplied by Joel Friedman, an American collector of Australian
slouch hats. It is his belief, and I agree, that the photos below are of
an Australian made Hat KFF that was worn by a RAF Unit in probably
Burma, Singapore or in that general area. |
 |
| Note
the high crowned "pork pie" bash which is not typically
Australian. |
 |
 |
| Note the high
quality puggaree and the twin Unit Colour Patches. 1 for "brim
down" and 1 for "brim up" |
 |
 |
|
Note the Makers Mark,
the size (seven and three eighths inches) and the year mark 1942 |
Hello Ted, The following is from a small
book I acquired not too long ago called "The Australian Army slouch
hat and rising sun badge" by Rick Grebert, published 2002 by the New
South Wales Military Historical Society, Inc. Pages 32-33:
"Brim binding has been
made for the Australian Army slouch hat since before World War II by
Hatbands Pty Ltd Sydney. "During World War I
and World War II, many slouch hats were manufactured without brim binding.
The elimination of the brim binding enabled the manufacturers to supply
the large numbers of slouch hats much more quickly and cheaper. Some hats
were supplied with stitching around the edge of the brim instead of brim
binding". I hope this is helpful. Best regards, Joel
|
 |
| US Infantry, Indian Wars
Military issue Campaign Slouch Hat Ca. 1878. 2 "Snow flake"
pattern vents. About size 7 3/4. Original Infantry badge on front 4th
Infantry Company K. A great example of a style used up to and including
the Spanish-American War. |
 |
|
| Slouch
hat from the American Civil War. This one from the 7th Tennessee
Infantry, Confederate States of America. |
1902
pattern campaign fur-felt hat, black felt, with Grand Army of the
Republic (GAR) insignia and an Officer's Gold Hat Cord, missing one end
corn. Possibly 23rd Connecticut Volunteer Regiment
|
 to
find out which USMC Unit wore
Australian Slouch hats in Viet Nam.
|
