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-   -   The Wolseley Sun Helmet (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72758)

JerryBB 16-03-19 10:37 AM

The Wolseley Sun Helmet
 
8 Attachment(s)
I have a few of these and I'll add them one at a time.


Officers Private purchase example made by Hawkes & Co, dating to sometime between 1917 and 1930ish.

Has a coloured pug flash thought to be for the South Lancashire Regiment.

leigh kitchen 16-03-19 10:43 AM

That's nice, the nearest I've got to a decent Wolseley is the usual - a RM Other Ranks, with an early 1960's dated sweatband.

JerryBB 16-03-19 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen (Post 472388)
That's nice, the nearest I've got to a decent Wolesley is the usual - a RM Other Ranks, with an early 1960's dated sweatband.

Thanks Leigh, it is my fave and probably the best one I have.

JerryBB 16-03-19 01:34 PM

5 Attachment(s)
Other ranks by Failsworth Hats LTD, with WD arrow and letter P for issue 1941, converted to officer use by removing the cloth trim and replacing it with a leather trim. The extra row of holes where the original trim was removed can be clearly seen and of course the issue WD markings should not usually be seen on an officer pith.

leigh kitchen 16-03-19 01:42 PM

That's an interesting adaptation, did it originally have a stitched on "fake" pagri?

JerryBB 16-03-19 08:02 PM

6 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen (Post 472415)
That's an interesting adaptation, did it originally have a stitched on "fake" pagri?

Not sure, it is a bit loose and I don't want to mess with it.

Next is this 1940 date OR's by Helmets LTD.

JerryBB 18-03-19 05:05 PM

5 Attachment(s)
OR's dated 1941, painted white, made by Helmets Limited.

leigh kitchen 19-03-19 10:36 AM

I have a similar helmet but sweatband marked "Sutton's 1942".
It has the "false" stitched on pagri introduced in 1941 and replaced by the plain wrap around strap in 1942.
It's been painted white, the colour toning to an off white with a hint of light green.
It seems that it wasn't uncommon cWWII and after for helmets to be painted one colour or another, some having different colored painted top buttons etc.
That "dip" in the pagri on the left side of yours - a suggestion that a plume or hackle has been fitted at some time, or a pagri flash fitted?

JerryBB 19-03-19 06:47 PM

6 Attachment(s)
1942 issue dated OR's, no makers markings surviving.

cymro 23-04-19 12:31 PM

4 Attachment(s)
I collect Welsh WW1 pieces and have a real liking for Wolseleys. This is one of my favourites - an RE soldier's one who was based in Dar es Salaam. Straight out of the woodwork!

leigh kitchen 23-04-19 01:02 PM

Very nice.
Looks like it was this chaps:

First Name:
Arthur W
Surname:
Vicary
Rank:
Sapper
Service Number:
148164
Regiment:
Royal Engineers
Archive Reference:
WO 372/20/147166

First Name:
Arthur William
Surname:
Vicary
Incident Details:
Sickness
Information:
Particulars furnished: Chatham, 02/04/1919.
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Service Number:
148164
Service From Date:
31/01/1916
Service To Date:
14/02/1919
Silver War Badge Number:
B179,067
War Office Ref. Number:
RE/3489
Reason for Discharge:
Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service. Army Order 29, January 1919.
Service:
British Army
Primary Unit:
Royal Engineers
Secondary Unit:
Bedford Signal Depot
Archive Reference:
SWB/3001

cymro 23-04-19 01:22 PM

That's the one Leigh, yes. It came out of a loft in Gloucestershire and I just missed his pair of medals which were originally with it...

leigh kitchen 23-04-19 02:18 PM

I think it's a great helmet, I like that substantial pugaree, pity about the medals, it's good when these things can stay together.

JerryBB 23-04-19 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cymro (Post 476373)
I collect Welsh WW1 pieces and have a real liking for Wolseleys. This is one of my favourites - an RE soldier's one who was based in Dar es Salaam. Straight out of the woodwork!

A stunning example, great with it being named which adds to it.

cbuehler 23-04-19 04:52 PM

A fabulous untouched piece! One only sees something like this on a rare basis indeed.
Very interesting personal touch with that little doll stuck in the Pagri.
Can anyone identify the particular unit of that Pagri badge?
These helmets must have become quite worn and salty very quickly in the areas where they were used. I have often wondered just how long a soldier was normally expected to wear his helmet before replacing it. They are somewhat delicate compared to some other forms of headdress.

CB


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