The world famous Australian Slouch Hat  (Digger Hat) . . .page 5

"The Bash"

Looking at the Slouch Hat from above shows the currently correct "bash" or the way the crown is dented and shaped.

Over the years there have been many ways and styles of 'bashing" the slouch hat.

Now days it is done on a timber block to ensure that every hat is (almost) the same. In earlier days different Units had different ways of "bashing" their hats.

Inside view of a size 7 Akubra by Dunkerley Ltd, showing leatherette sweat band. Note gaps between band and hat where chin-strap slots through to be affixed to clips.

1900. NSW Mounted Trooper heading for the Boer War. Note the chin strap and (Black Cock's?) plumes

A Staff Sergeant (Warrant Officer?) from Tasmania on his way to the Boer War. Note the absence of a bash, a chinstrap, the loop to hold the roll of the brim. (Later 1st Headmaster of Hobart School).

THE DIGGERS
Most Australians have been out since 1914, going through the hell of the Dardanelles and later being transported to France, where they earned the right, if ever soldiers did, to wear that natty bonnet of theirs at such a cocky angle.
Without exception, the Aussies all hope to be sent home "by the other way so that we can see America". We hope they will be sent home that way if they want to. Besides wishing to have them see America- which we are pardonably proud of - we should like to have America see them.

The slouch through the eyes of the artists

He is pictured wearing a slouch hat with a plume of black rooster feathers (called Black-cock's feathers) and the black silk puggaree with a red stripe.

Note the light khaki (almost beige) slouch hat.

for the full image of the whole uniform.

Unidentified WW2 serviceman, wearing slouch hat.

AWM image

Artist:  Geoffrey Mainwaring, 1956

• Don't miss Slouch Hat 1, Slouch Hat 2, Slouch Hat 3 or Slouch Hat 4
• Also see Puggaree, Non OZ slouch 1, 2, 3 or 4

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