Slouch Hat Badges 1902-04, Officers of Line Regiments wearing the Home Service Helmet

[John Mulcahy]

I am looking for any input, images, observations etc. on the badges worn by officers in the slouch hat (or terai) in the period c. 1902 - c. 1903.

In particular officers of line regiments who wore the home service helmet in full dress.

Recall that we have mentioned on the forum before that the Terai, or Slouch Hat, was officially sealed (SPN 5849/1902) in 1902 as the headdress to be used with the new khaki service dress when on maneuvers and on service abroad. The hat was turned up on one side with a regimental badge placed on the turned up portion.

On Jan 5, 1903, at a meeting in the pattern room of the RACD, the decision was taken that the same badge was to be worn on both the FSH, and the Universal Service Hat (Slouch Hat / Terai). The records of this meeting show that, infantry regiments were to use their helmet plate centres, fitted with a slider as the badge for this headdress. Where an infantry regiment did not wear the home service helmet, the Glengarry badge, or the existing full dress badge was to be worn fitted with the long sliders.

The program is generally seen as a failure and many battalions were never issues the badges

Did officers of such regiments simply wear their helmet plate centres on the cap (where battalions adopted the practice before it was obsoleted) or is there any evidence that officers wore the full dress helmet plate with crown removed)

An image of a Connaught Rangers Officers Helmet plate with crown removed is the reason for the question. I do not have images to share.

John