Headdress has been a common feature of military uniforms for centuries and is an element which is often overlooked in the study of military uniforms. This is especially true in the modern era where Kevlar Helmets have become one of the more recognizable pieces of military headdress.
The Canadian Army’s headdress traditions originate from the traditions of the British Army. This dates to an era when Canada was part of the British Empire and Canada’s army was closely associated with, and modeled after, the British Army of the era. In this article, the first installment of several, we discuss the types of headdress that the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry (and later, the 53rd Regiment) wore from the period of its founding, in 1866, to the eve of the First World War. This period is typically referred as Canada’s Militia Period, spanning from 1855 (the Canadian Militia Act of 1855) until the eve of the First World War in 1914. This period was characterized by the creation of a vast numbers of urban and rural militia units clad in unit-identifying colours, such as, scarlet, blue or green uniforms, and wearing the typical white waist belts and pouches, iconic of the British solider of the Victorian era. 1914 saw the final retirement of these unit-specific coloured tunics and frocks (which had already been obsolete for some time) and regulating their use to ceremonial duties only. At this time Khaki Serge Service Dress became the norm as the First Canadian Contingent sailed for Europe and the battlefields of France and Flanders.
The full history of the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry is well beyond the scope of this article but 1866 is the year when the battalion was authorized and founded. For more details see The Sherbrooke Regiment (12th Armoured Regiment) by LCol H.M. Jackson M.B.E., E.D.
During this initial period, which was defined by: the American Civil War; the Fenian Raids, and; Canada’s Confederation, establishing the Canadian Militia became of critical importance. The need for a larger, well-trained, armed and equipped militia was of great urgency for our new nation’s security. The outfitting requirements, for the expanding Canadian Militia, fell upon British manufacturers — who patterned most of its clothing and headdress designs direct from British Army dress regulations and norms.
The remainder of this article will focus specifically on the various types of headdress worn by the 53rd Sherbrooke, during the Militia Period.
Most of the research for this article is based on published works and period photographs. Sadly, the very early period of the 53rd (from 1866 to 1880), is lacking essential photographic references; consequently, determining the exact types of headdress worn is difficult: however, based on period photos of other local militia battalions and the dress regulations/norms of the time, we can hypothesis that two basic types of headdress would have been worn. The first, the Kilmarnock Cap, of Scottish origin, was the standard undress headdress for the line infantry of the Canadian Militia from the 1860’s, into the early 1870’s, after which, it was replaced by the Glengarry.
The photograph above, shows the Kilmarnock Cap in wear by a member of the 1st Battalion, Canadian Militia circa 1866. Note: the brass numeral “1” worn on the cap, as well as, the white leather pouch equipment — all common features of the period. This man is armed with the Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifled Musket.
Most Canadian Militia officers wore the Pattern 1855 Forage Cap during this period. Again, there is a lack of photographs during this early period, but it is likely that this was the type of headdress worn by officers of the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion in these early years.
Photographic evidence, from the late 1870’s into the 1880’s, shows that the Pill Box Cap became the standard other ranks undress headdress of the 53rd. Similar to the Kilmarnock Cap in appearance, it differed in size, style of wear, construction and typically included a chin strap. This was the standard headdress of cavalry and engineers, both in the British Army and the Canadian Militia during this period, but uncommon with line infantry units.
As stated previously, the Glengarry replaced the Kilmarnock Cap as the standard undress headdress of the both the British Army and the Canadian Militia in the early 1870’s but for reasons unknown at this time, the Pill Box was adopted by the 53rd and would continue to be worn until replaced by the Field Service Cap in c1898.
The photograph on the left, illustrates the Pill Box Cap in wear by members of the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry during the mid 1880’s through to the 1890’s. Note the use of brass “53” numerals — a common feature used to identify specific battalions of the period.
While the Pill Box Cap was the standard for the rank and file of the battalion, the Pattern 1880 Forge Cap was the standard undress headdress for the officers, Senior NCO’s and Warrant Officers of the battalion. Adopted by the British Army in 1880, to replace the Pattern 1855 Forage Cap, it was accepted shortly thereafter for wear by the Canadian Militia.
The photographs above shows an excellent example of this pattern of forage cap in wear by an officer of the battalion. Officers were typically required to purchase most of their own uniform and kit: for this reason, these types of headdress are often of higher quality (having been produced by private British, or later, Canadian hat makers and tailors). Embroidered numerals were common and appear to have been the standard within the 53rd. Also upward, is a photograph of a surviving example from the Sherbrooke Hussars Collection.
This pattern of forage cap was worn until it was replaced in 1903, with the Naval Pattern Forage Cap. In 1898, the British Army adopted the Field Service Cap as a replacement for the Glengarry. It was adopted shortly thereafter by the Canadian Militia as the standard undress headdress for infantry and was common among other branches and support units of the Canadian Militia as well.
Dark navy blue in colour and often adorned with a unit or corps cap badge, these caps appear in most photos of the 53rd from 1899-c1906. These caps were later replaced by the Naval Pattern Forge Cap for all ranks in c1906.
The photograph below was likely taken between 1900-1905 and shows a drill team from the 53rd Sherbrooke wearing the Field Service Cap and interestingly regimental T-shirts which were scarlet, with white-trimmed dark navy-blue roman numerals: “LIII”. The men are armed with Mark-I Magazine Lee Enfield Rifles which had only recently replaced the aging Snider Enfield in service.
Here we see another photo taken in the early 1900’s, during the Dominion Textile strike in Magog, showing several types of headdress in wear, the: Pattern 1880 Forge Cap, Field Service Cap, and the Universal Pattern Helmet. Note the men are no longer equipped with the white belts and pouches, but rather with: the brown leather Pattern 1899 Oliver Equipment a type of infantry equipment unique to Canada, and one of Canada’s earliest departures from relying on British patterns (and systems of supply).
1903 saw the Pattern 1880 Forage Cap replaced by the Naval Pattern Forage Cap for officers and certain Senior NCO’s and Warrant Officers. This type of headdress would prove popular with all ranks and was often fitted with a white cloth cover for use during summer months. Regimental and corps cap badges were typically worn as can be seen above, unlike previous types of headdress, was more practical and offered greater protection from the sun and elements.
1906 saw the Canadian Militia adopted the Naval Pattern Forage Cap for all ranks (with minor exceptions) universally replacing all other types of undress headdress then in wear. This is illustrated in the photo below which shows three NCO’s of the 53rd Sherbrooke attending the 1911 Coronation of King George V. Note the white summer covers being worn and the 53rd Sherbrooke cap badges.
The Naval Pattern Forage Cap would be the final type of undress headdress worn by the regiment prior to 1914. The start of the First World War saw the final abolishment of many tradition in the Canadian Militia, including: coloured tunics, frocks and ornate headdress (all of which would be regulated to ceremonial full-dress status only). Beginning from 1914, Khaki Serge Service Dress would become the standard, as well as, its accompanying Service Dress Cap (which the First Canadian Contingent would wear on their departure for Europe in 1914).
The subject of war-time headdress will be covered in a future installment.
Above, we have a surviving example of a Senior Officer’s Naval Pattern Forage Cap, complete with 53rd Sherbrooke cap badge. Note the gold band along the edge of the visor donating that this cap was for Senior Officers.
The last headdress, to be discussed in this installment, is the Home Service Pattern and Universal Pattern Helmets. These are visible in many photos of the 53rd Battalion, from the early 1880’s to early into the 20th century.
The Home Service Pattern Helmet, or “Blue Velvet Helmet” as it was sometimes referred to, was first adopted by the British Army for wear in 1876 for soldiers on home-service. (home-service, referring to service within Great Britain). Dark-Blue was the standard colour, although dark green for rifle regiments and light green for light infantry also existed. In the late 1870’s, Canada accepted this pattern of helmet as well. Although authorized for wear by all ranks, the only surviving examples to the 53rd Sherbrooke would seem to indicate (to the author, at least) that only officers wore these helmets which would be stored in their original metal carry/storage cases. Likely due to expense and availability, these helmets do not appear to have been very common. They quickly began to be replaced, unofficially, with the British Foreign Service Pattern Helmet as early as 1880. The Foreign Service Pattern Helmet was intended for use by British troops when on service outside of Great Britain hence the term “foreign service”. This pattern of helmet officially replaced the Home Service Pattern Helmet in Canadian Service in 1886 and was referred to as the Universal Pattern Helmet while in Canadian Service.
The photograph above, likely taken in 1882, shows an example of the Blue-Velvet Home Service Pattern Helmet in use by an early commanding officer of the Battalion, LCol. Ibbotson, commanding officer from 1870-1882.
Below we see a surviving example of a 53rd Sherbrooke “Blue-Velvet” Home Service Helmet from the collection of the Colby Curtis Museum, Stanstead Historical Society. Both the Home Service and Universal Pattern helmets were adorned with brass helmet plates with the battalion number and regimental motto. The example below, is named to Lt. W. Embury, 53rd Sherbrooke.
The Universal Pattern Helmet (also referred to as the “White” Universal Pattern Helmet), was worn by all ranks for both formal occasions and field service. These are often seen in photographs of the 53rd Battalion from the late 1880’s into the early years of the 20th century. The photo at the right, which was likely taken in the late 1880’s or early 1890’s, shows the helmet in wear by an officer of the Battalion, Lt. T.S. Sommers. The helmet was formally abolished for general wear in 1909 in favor of the Naval Pattern Forage Cap although it likely continued to be worn for formal occasions until the First World War.
On the right, we have a surviving example of the Universal Pattern Helmet to the 53rd Sherbrooke. Note the Brass Queen Victoria Crown helmet plate, brass spike, and brass chin strap. All common features of the Universal Pattern Helmet.
B
y 1914 the Regiment was only 48 years old, yet photographic evidence shows that at least eight types of headdress were worn. In todays world of camouflage, one size fits all and practicality it is difficult to comprehend how men once were able to keep up to date with the latest military fashions. It is very likely that other types of headdress may have been worn and the author would be interested to hear from anyone who has documented evidence to suggest this.
By Lorne Waid Jr
Nov 24th, 2020
References:
Scarlet to Khaki, Clive M. Law
Victoria’s Canadian Militia: Uniforms, Flags and Equipment of the Canadian Militia, 1837-1901, René Chartrand Canadian Campaigns 1860-70, David Ross, Grant Tyler, Rick Scollins
The Thin Red Line: Uniforms of the British Army Between 1751 and 1914, D. S. V. Fosten, B. K. Fosten Milart: Canadian Universal Pattern Helmet, Clive M. Law
Canadian Militia Dress Regulation 1907, David Ross, René Chartrand
Example of a Universal Pattern Helmet
Glad to see my article republished. I hope the Sher H keep the news letter going. Great way to promote the regiment.