Hi Guys, I'm ex-Australian Army RASIGS and a longtime militaria collector. I came across this World War 2 vintage slouch hat (refer to photos) at a recent collectible fair. It was bought for the paltry sum of AU$45 and the person I bought it from new nothing of it's history. I've attached a number of photos, so all opinions welcome. It's definitely British WW2 as the Australian SIGS colour patch was vertical as opposed to horizontal (i.e. blue over white). I believe the grey(ish) border indicates HQ, but can't work out why a hat such as this would have Field Marshal rank attached. The hat is old, the internal headband is 'crazed', well worn and 'smells' musty/old. I've black-light tested it and it's all good, and obviously the seller was not trying to rip me off as the hat itself would be worth more than what I paid, without the rank and colour patch. Kind regards, James
i have to agree this is a mystery, perhaps somebody had it made to use in the jungle? oh and howdy, welcome to the forum.
JImbo Someone might be having you on a little as far as I can recall - there was only one Field Marshal in that area who wore a slouch hat and that was Bill Slim - who was an infantryman from leaving the Cadets at Birmingham University......served as Brigadier in Ethopia with the Indian 5th Div ( ?) then back to India and Burma Cheers
for my mind, it could be 1 of 2 things part of theatre wardrobe but that would not account for a hat made in India, they would have not been that picky. 2ndly, it may be a presentation piece that was not presented. Slim was not made up to Field Marshall unti January 1949 when he took over as CIGS. up until that time his highest rank was General so that the badge is incorrect for Slim for WW2 Regards Simon
James, The Field Marshall's badge appears to be Queen's crown also the slouch hat label also appears to display a Queen's crown. I would say that this hat is post 1952. Regards, Les.
Thanks for the info guys. The FM rank is definitely Queen's crown, as is the label - so, happy with it being slightly post War...now...who the heck could it have belonged to at that point in time, in India? As I mentioned, I didn't pay much for the hat, so no deliberate falsification being attempted by a seller. Thanks again guys, this is why I collect - love unraveling mysteries! Jimbo
Oh and the hat is quite heavily worn. The inner sweat band is cracking, smells old and is quite a large size overall (I wear a sz 56 Slouch hat in the Australian Army). The brim is reinforced/stiffened with what appears to be wire, which from my experience is a typical 'officer' type of thing to do... I'm a Lieutenant (and yes, guilty as charged of doing it on the odd 'bush' hat!) Jimbo
oh and the oddest thing....why a HQ Signals colour patch? Is anybody aware if there are/were any staff at FM level alloted to a SIGS HQ? Sorry for the questions!
oh and the oddest thing....why a HQ Signals colour patch? Is anybody aware if there are/were any staff at FM level alloted to a SIGS HQ? Sorry for the questions! Jimbo, I suspect that no Officer at FM rank would be alloted to anything let alone a Sigs HQ. That rank, whilst also an honour, is usually reserved for the Chief of the Imperial General Staff in most cases. From memory there are only about 3 FM's that did not attain the position of CIGS since FM Deverall (the only FM appointed by EV111R) & they were either SAC's or in 1 case CinC India (exlcuding Royal FM's). The only other thing that I can think of is that it was a Presentation item to someone who during the Reign of the Queen, visited India. No one seems to fit the bill really unless you want to throw the DofE into the mix. Regards simon
Cheers Simon, that sounds plausible. An interesting piece to find in Australia, one can only wonder... Jimbo
