Infantry peak cap

[bobanodised]

Hi picked this up last weekend.
Has imperial head size and a manufacturer that I am unfamiliar with. Can anyone shed light on the manufacturer sothat I can date it please?
Bob

[grey_green_acorn]

“Hobson & Sons established in 1850, Hobsons began their uniform business close to Woolwich Barracks, South London, England. Clothing and Regimental Regalia were made for all members of the armed forces using traditional tailoring and handcraft techniques. Hobsons business grew to such an extent that by 1860 five shops were open in and around the Woolwich area. Their expertise and reputation for quality was rapidly established among customers, particularly the locally based Royal Artillery. Lexington Street London W.1 was acquired for Hobsons around 1880. Gold and Silver wire embroidery was produced here along with the weaving of lace.
In the basement, the Leather Accoutrements department produced specialist goods of all descriptions. By the turn of the century the new Hobsons factory and offices in Tooley St ( between London Bridge and Tower Bridge ) were in operation. Several hundred employees worked at making all garments and accessories required for the Guards uniforms. In the 1930's Hobsons purchased a disused church hall with a plot of surrounding land at Thundersley, Essex with the long term plan of drawing all parts of the business together into one place - this would take another 60 years ! The Thundersley site saw the beginning of the "new Hobsons era". A high volume of tropical uniforms were manufactured for the war effort and initiated expanding business with many new export markets.
Early in the 1950's Hobsons leather section moved to Lewisham and then in the 1960's to a factory near Greenwich. This business now produced leather goods for uniformed forces world-wide and accounted for 25% of the Hobsons turnover. By the late 1950's Hobsons first purpose built factory at Thundersley had been erected, a small single story unit of 5000 sq.ft.. Here a local workforce who continued to use time honoured tailoring skills made clothing uniforms.”

History from web search


Tim

[Phil2M]

Thundersley building is now being demolished/converted into flats. I drive past it every day.

[JerryBB]

As already noted it is Hobson & sons. A pic of all the underside would help date it imo

[bobanodised]

Full view of inside and of peak. I'm guessing late 60's or early 70's, because of the liner and size and shape of the hat and the peak. Your thoughts?
Regards
Bob

[JerryBB]

Agree on the dating.

[KLR]

I've been trying to contact Hobsons for a while - I'd be very keen to look their archives (I have a few of their [KLR] badges.
Do they still exist, do they have an address.....

[mike_vee]

Can't find any info about them still being in London (building sold in 2020/2021) but found this :

Uniforium is the on line catalogue of the Hobson Group.

The Group includes Turner Virr & Co. Ltd. and Hobson & Sons (London) and is operated from the Turner Virr premises in Yorkshire.

http://www.uniforium.co.uk/

.

[bobanodised]

Well out of date as they are selling Diamond Jubilee medals

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by KLR

I've been trying to contact Hobsons for a while - I'd be very keen to look their archives (I have a few of their [KLR] badges.
Do they still exist, do they have an address.....

Ive spoken to them within the last couple.of yeats. I believe they are in Essex .
Correction they were in Essex,South Benfleet but that appears to be closed down.
I did get a thing for Uniforium which is apparently the new company name.