The Field Service Cap

[Jelly Terror]

Could anyone please tell me when the field service cap introduced and phased out?

What might the official guidelines/Army Orders have been as to when it should/shouldn't be worn? Were there specific occasions on which it was not permitted to be worn, and perhaps others when only the FSC should be worn? (I suspect the answer will be a great deal more convoluted than the question).

With thanks.

JT

[badjez]

Field Service Cap, Universal Pattern.
Field Caps, Folding; introduced around 1900, manufactured in blue cloth unless otherwise stated. They were about 4 ½” high and not less than 3 ¾” across the top, crown shaped similar to the Glengarry, folding peak in front, flaps at sides to let down, lower flaps to fasten together under the chin when unfolded, when fold they fasten in front of the cap with two gorget 920 line buttons. Crown, buttons and piping were of regimental or departmental pattern.

15.02.1894. FS caps approved for wear in India by a circular letter.
00.06.1896. AO 111: Use of FS Cap authorised for wear at Home Stations.

C1902 Use of FS caps phased out at Home, but its use continued at overseas stations since the Royal Army Clothing Dept. Pattern No 6787/1907 described the FS cap pattern as ‘Forage Indian Pattern’.

22.03.33. ACI 81: Issue authorised of caps FS after supplies of Caps, SD, Soft became exhausted. Caps, SD, Soft were authorised for wear on active service, at training and on manoeuvres and both styles of cap could be in use within the same unit.

00.06.37. Universal Pattern Forage Cap replaced by Universal Pattern Field Service Cap for wear with Battle Dress. CONFIRM

31.03.39. Battle Dress introduced. Drab FS cap. replaced soft SD Cap for officers. WO File 54/Gen/7874 (MGO 7b).

25.09.43. ACI 1407: Introduction of cap, GS. As a wartime measure it was decided to introduce a khaki cloth cap, made on the beret pattern, for wear in lieu of the drab cap, Field Service (“Fore & Aft”) for all personnel for whom the latter was at that time issued. The new cap was the “Cap G.S.” (CF 1530-46). Initially, to use up old cloth stock, they were to be made of gabardine material.
It was to be introduced, on a maintenance basis, in the following order of priority:
i) All troops abroad
ii) Field Force units at home
iii) AA formations
iv) Other static troops
The new headdress was not at that time authorised for issue to Home Guard, OTC or ACF units.
The Cap GS was to be worn so that the band was level round the head, and 1” above the eyebrows, the crown of the cap being pulled to the right. The badge was to be over the left eye, fitted centrally between the headband and the crown of the cap. These badges were to be the regulation pattern then authorised for the Cap F.S. e.g. officers- bronzed; other ranks metal or plastic.
Officers were to wear the other ranks pattern of Cap GS, purchased from RAOC stock. Serving officers were to adopt the Cap GS when other ranks of their unit were issued it. Cap FS in possession of officers could continue to be worn with Service Dress until worn out. Newly commissioned officers were not to adopt the Cap GS until serving with a unit to whom this item had been issued. Interim they were advised to equip themselves with an Other Ranks pattern Cap FS.


Stephen.

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by badjez

Field Service Cap, Universal Pattern.
Field Caps, Folding; introduced around 1900, manufactured in blue cloth unless otherwise stated. They were about 4 ½” high and not less than 3 ¾” across the top, crown shaped similar to the Glengarry, folding peak in front, flaps at sides to let down, lower flaps to fasten together under the chin when unfolded, when fold they fasten in front of the cap with two gorget 920 line buttons. Crown, buttons and piping were of regimental or departmental pattern.

15.02.1894. FS caps approved for wear in India by a circular letter.
00.06.1896. AO 111: Use of FS Cap authorised for wear at Home Stations.

C1902 Use of FS caps phased out at Home, but its use continued at overseas stations since the Royal Army Clothing Dept. Pattern No 6787/1907 described the FS cap pattern as ‘Forage Indian Pattern’.

22.03.33. ACI 81: Issue authorised of caps FS after supplies of Caps, SD, Soft became exhausted. Caps, SD, Soft were authorised for wear on active service, at training and on manoeuvres and both styles of cap could be in use within the same unit.

00.06.37. Universal Pattern Forage Cap replaced by Universal Pattern Field Service Cap for wear with Battle Dress. CONFIRM

31.03.39. Battle Dress introduced. Drab FS cap. replaced soft SD Cap for officers. WO File 54/Gen/7874 (MGO 7b).

25.09.43. ACI 1407: Introduction of cap, GS. As a wartime measure it was decided to introduce a khaki cloth cap, made on the beret pattern, for wear in lieu of the drab cap, Field Service (“Fore & Aft”) for all personnel for whom the latter was at that time issued. The new cap was the “Cap G.S.” (CF 1530-46). Initially, to use up old cloth stock, they were to be made of gabardine material.
It was to be introduced, on a maintenance basis, in the following order of priority:
i) All troops abroad
ii) Field Force units at home
iii) AA formations
iv) Other static troops
The new headdress was not at that time authorised for issue to Home Guard, OTC or ACF units.
The Cap GS was to be worn so that the band was level round the head, and 1” above the eyebrows, the crown of the cap being pulled to the right. The badge was to be over the left eye, fitted centrally between the headband and the crown of the cap. These badges were to be the regulation pattern then authorised for the Cap F.S. e.g. officers- bronzed; other ranks metal or plastic.
Officers were to wear the other ranks pattern of Cap GS, purchased from RAOC stock. Serving officers were to adopt the Cap GS when other ranks of their unit were issued it. Cap FS in possession of officers could continue to be worn with Service Dress until worn out. Newly commissioned officers were not to adopt the Cap GS until serving with a unit to whom this item had been issued. Interim they were advised to equip themselves with an Other Ranks pattern Cap FS.


Stephen.

Thanks, Stephen.

So phased out at home circa 1902, but we do see many images of men wearing the FSC at home (apparently), post-1902/during the Great War period.

JT

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

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Thanks, Stephen.

So phased out at home circa 1902, but we do see many images of men wearing the FSC at home (apparently), post-1902/during the Great War period.

JT

Perhaps Volunteer Bn's up to 1908 and TF after that, as they were reputed to be somewhat cavalier about the regulations.

[Alan O]

VB and TF were not subject to those regulations and did their own thing as they wrote their own dress regulations. They followed the fashion of glengarries, side caps and slouch hats and avoided the unpopular 'Brodrick'.

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

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Thanks, Stephen.

So phased out at home circa 1902, but we do see many images of men wearing the FSC at home (apparently), post-1902/during the Great War period.

JT

As you imply, it continued to be worn overseas, especially in India and associated colonies (as already stated), the Far East and South Africa. It was also worn by volunteer battalions. During WW1 it was adopted, in blue, as interim headwear for Kitchener's war-raised service battalions and, permanently, in khaki drab, had been part of dress and clothing regulations for Royal Flying Corps officers and men since (from memory) 1911.