Hello everyone, I am looking for pictures of a WWII era Kaffrarian Rifles pith helmet. I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I personally don't know any better place. I am not expecting much, as to my knowledge, pictures of a KR pith helmet (with their flash and badge mounted on the front for that matter) are really, really scarce.
there is a social media page about them it might be worth having a look at that Also there are a number of threads that you have started where forum members have tried to help you I have listed here just in case you have missed the replies What was the most common sidearm of South Africa during the war? Looking for info about the Indian & Malay Corps Looking for information on the Railways and Harbours Brigade
Here is an easily found post-war 1947 photo on: East London, 1 March 1947. King George VI inspecting 'Kaffrarian Rifles' guard of honour. - Atom site for DRISA There are many photos of WW2 South African soldiers wearing pith helmets, from the East African campaign and North Africa, none could readily be identified as from the Kaffarian Regiment. I would assume the formal parade photo above is 'best uniform', but on operations the hackle might be removed.
Hello dryan, you are correct. The helmet and uniform would be virtually the same, except for the pith flash and the badge on the front. The reason I'm looking specifically for a picture of a KR pith helmet is so I can properly identify their pith helmet flash, of which I have seen three conflicting examples. I'll attach pictures below of them. On the first one, it also has 'shoulder' under the flash, implying that it was worn as a shoulder flash too, which can be seen in the photo that david posted (thanks for that one). The second flash is completely different (and coincidentally also the same flash as that of the First City Regiment), and above the flash, it shows the hackle colours, which are green and red. The third flash is pretty much the same as the first one. I'm not exactly sure which one is the right one, but I am inclined to believe it's the diamond shaped green and red flash.
sources: UDF Helmet flashes - www.nutria.co.za SOUTH AFRICA KAFFRARIAN RIFLES HELMET/ SHOULDER FLASH | #254075254 regards Olli
