Officer Cadet White peak

[Postwarden]

As in the First World War the officer cadets of WW2 wore on their headdress a white cap band. In order to save material, in October 1942 the white cap band was replaced by a white peak if the cadet wore the Field Service Cap.

I am trying to find a photo of the white peak being worn by the Army - there are plenty of it worn by the RAF as shown - for use in the Military Historical Society's 2021 Annual special publication on British Army Headdress 1939-1945.

If you have an image I can use please PM me.

Jon

[mike_vee]

Found a photo described as "OCTU Map reading on the escarpment 1943" which may be useful. Perhaps they will allow you to reproduce it ?

https://stanstedhistory.org/landmarks-octu/


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[Padre]

An interesting photo Mike. I cant really remember seeing any Army photos, most being the RAF as Jon has pointed out.

As a point of interest (if my eyes are seeing it right) whereas the RAF example is a small 'half moon' of cloth worn in front of or just behind the peak of the side cap, the Army photo of OCTU you've highlighted looks instead like a strip of white tape worn along the upper edge of the peak, rather than a separate piece of cloth as worn by the RAF. I may be wrong...

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Padre

As a point of interest (if my eyes are seeing it right) whereas the RAF example is a small 'half moon' of cloth worn in front of or just behind the peak of the side cap, the Army photo of OCTU you've highlighted looks instead like a strip of white tape worn along the upper edge of the peak, rather than a separate piece of cloth as worn by the RAF. I may be wrong...

Definitely looks very different to the RAF one shown , as the link I posted is from 1943 it may simply be a case of "make do and mend" and they are reusing/refashioning the old white cap bands ?

Found an earlier photo from 1940 which appears to show the white band worn between the folds of the side cap.

https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...oto/1273848957


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[JerryBB]

the OCTU pic I have does not show the white peak, either a band or a badge backing is used, though a few have coloured fs caps so would not I assume wear the white peak

[grey_green_acorn]

The photo Jerry posted also shows the majority of officer cadets wearing a white ‘ivorine’ disc behind their cap badge worn in the cap GS and beret. This practice was carried forward into the early 1970s by officer cadets at Mons OCS. This seems more practical than the peak or white band.

Tim