British Berets - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Loski · #1 02-09-13, 09:40 AM

I m hoping that someone can help with some information concerning the sweatbands on British army issue OR's berets. This is what I think I know.
WWII to late 60’s leather sweatband
Late 60’s 90’s nylon sweatband
90’s to present leather
I know that the issue berets in the 80’s were Kangol with nylon sweatbands cos that’s what I was issued with. And I think that Kangol makes the current ones with leather sweatbands.
And did any other contractors make berets I have seen Compton and Webb & Kangol
Thanks.
Graham

wardog · #2 02-09-13, 02:25 PM

Wrong service I know but as an Air Cadet (ATC) from '78-'83 and RAF '83-'92 berets used were Kangol and Compton Webb and had some form of cloth sweatband- I far preferred the Compton Webb type but from about '87 used a privately bought leather sweatband beret. Regards, Paul.

David Tremain · #3 02-09-13, 04:19 PM

Paul's (Wardog) mentioning of the ATC berets reminds me of mine. In the mid 60's mine had a leather sweatband as I recall, although I have no idea who the maker was.

I have two Guards berets, one I bought from the Guards Museum shop a couple of years ago which has a leather sweatband, while the other, badged to the Irish Guards I bought at a show about a year ago and has a cloth band. I would have to check on the maker's names.
David

wright241 · #4 02-09-13, 04:46 PM

J.C.S. & W. Ltd

fougasse1940 · #5 02-09-13, 06:13 PM

Silk sweatband for officers, leather for OR's.

Rgds, Thomas.

David Tremain · #6 02-09-13, 10:52 PM

The Irish Guards beret I have has an ORs badge, but a cloth band.
David

Jack8 · #7 03-09-13, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wright241

J.C.S. & W. Ltd

I find this thread interesting as I am trying to learn about wartime and post was British berets and so far if I am correct believe J.C.S. & W Ltd stands for J. Compton Sons and Webb who produced post war berets up until the name changed (don't know the year) to Compton (Headdress and Gloves) Ltd. It then changed in December 1977 to Compton Webb (Headdress) Limited.

I have a green RM Commando beret with a bronze other ranks cap badge that was made by Compton (Headdress and Gloves) Ltd. so it is pre 1977 which has a material (not sure if it's nylon or silk) headband as opposed to leather.

Jack

Nozzer · #8 03-09-13, 09:27 PM

As a Sea Cadet in the early 80's I was issued a Kangol beret. The band was leather, had no linning (The Kangol stamp was on the inside) and a cardboard/ leather square to supprt the badge. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough as it was shapeless and uncomfortable! I replaced it with a proper pussers issue Compton & Web with the material sweat band. And yes I removed the plastic sweat shield at the advice of my mate who was "proper Navy" 'cos it made you go bald!

When I joined the R.N. in the late 80's we were issued the same Compton & Webb berets with material sweat band.

Regards,

Andy

sailorbear · #9 04-09-13, 02:23 PM

Hi just out of interest I thought I'd post some pictures of the various berets that I have worn over the years.

No1 & 2 Royal Naval Reserve Beret issued 1993 with nylon fabric sweat band. (Blackened cap badge as I was serving with a Port Defence Party in the Seaward Defence Branch)

No3 & 4 Royal Navy Beret issued 1995 with leather sweat band.

No 5 & 6 Sea Cadet Corps Adult Petty Officer Instructor Beret issued 2012.

No 7 Detail of new type cap badge and eyelets on SCC beret.

Mike Jackson · #10 04-09-13, 03:26 PM

I'm not sure if it adds much to the debate but here is my 39 years worth. Four - Surrey Yeomanry, RA blue beret, RMAS and SOLF - are excluded on the grounds of not being green:
Berets Green Assorted.jpg

sailorbear · #11 04-09-13, 04:22 PM

Further to my last post, More berets that I have worn

No1 & 2 Infantry/Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment beret issued 1993 - Leather sweat band.

No 3 & 4 Adjutant Generals Corps - Military Provost Guard Service beret issued 2001 - Leather sweat band.

No 5 & 6 Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service Ratings beret, issued 2004 Nylon sweat band.

Tony

Loski · #12 11-09-13, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorbear

Hi just out of interest I thought I'd post some pictures of the various berets that I have worn over the years.

No1 & 2 Royal Naval Reserve Beret issued 1993 with nylon fabric sweat band. (Blackened cap badge as I was serving with a Port Defence Party in the Seaward Defence Branch)

No3 & 4 Royal Navy Beret issued 1995 with leather sweat band.

No 5 & 6 Sea Cadet Corps Adult Petty Officer Instructor Beret issued 2012.

No 7 Detail of new type cap badge and eyelets on SCC beret.

The eyelets for the badge are the same as RAF berets I have a compton and webb RAF beret with badge eyelets

Loski · #13 11-09-13, 02:58 PM

As a 15 year old in 1980 I joined the Army Cadets in Aldershot and I was issued a navy blue Kangol beret that I wore with a Para cap badge with a maroon diamond behind the badge,
when I joined the regular army in 1985 i was issued the same type of Kangol navy blue Beret and a Royal Hampshire badge.