Aussie slouch hats

[chippler]

A 1942 dated 2/27th infantry battalion slouch hat named to SX3995 F.S Burr. This bloke was working in a HQ unit and seconded to the infantry. Unfortunately from what I gather, he passed away in 1994. It is a great shame that the brave men who wore these hats and defended our freedom are passing away.

I have another slouch hat on the way so stay tuned.

- Chris

[chippler]

a 1942 dated Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) slouch hat. The VDC were Australia's version of the home guard and despite common belief they didn't do much they actually manned anti-aircraft batteries along the coasts.

The patch is meant to be a square khaki material with the VDC logo in the middle however the men in the VDC usually cut down their patches for their hats so only the VDC part was showing. This example isn't actually cut but the wearer folded the khaki material behind the patch and sewed it on.

I have been looking for a VDC hat for ages and my search is finally over!

- Chris

[ROBB]

Nice one Chris , home guard stuff has a huge following over here in Blighty,its nice to see some other nations home guard items ,especially a slouch hat ! Rob

[chippler]

hey Rob thanks for the reply. I am glad you like it!

- Chris

[Lone Pine]

Another rare find Chris, well done.
Bruce

[chippler]

Another rare find Chris, well done.
Bruce

thanks, mate

- Chris

[chippler]

militia hat

just thought I would post my latest hat... a 1943 dated 29th/46th infantry battalion hat. This is a hard to find hat as the 29th/46th btn. was a militia battalion however the wearer actually volunteered to serve outside Australia and so was given 2AIF status and was permitted to apply a grey background to his patch.

The 29th/46th infantry battalion was present in the Gusika to Fortification point campaign in 1943, and who knows, this hat may have been present there.

- Chris

[chippler]

here's another one... a 1942 dated anti-aircraft unit slouch hat. It's primarily the same as my other one (same date, same style) except this hat exhibits the early style colour patch with the very thin grey backing. This one is named to VX34476 H.Graham.

I hope you all like it.

- Chris

[Lone Pine]

My new hat

Here's my latest addition to the collection. 1916 dated, totally original, my first ww1 slouch hat.
Bruce

[Lone Pine]

2

[Lone Pine]

3

[Mark Gibson]

Bruce
Cool!!!!

[chippler]

well it's a great hat but not "totally original" as you have stated as you have added a rising sun badge (acceptable since every slouch hat had one) and emu plumes (not original to the hat at all and upgrading it to a lighthorse hat)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WW1-Australia...QQcmdZViewItem

- Chris

[Lone Pine]

well it's a great hat but not "totally original" as you have stated as you have added a rising sun badge (acceptable since every slouch hat had one) and emu plumes (not original to the hat at all and upgrading it to a lighthorse hat)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WW1-Australia...QQcmdZViewItem

- Chris

Chris
Yes I added the badge and the plume, but the hat already had the two slots cut where the badge was there, I just replaced it with an original ww1 badge. The puggeree has been stitched onto the hat and that is correct for a ww1 hat except for about 3 or 4 inches on the badge side of the hat. I may be wrong, but I can assume by that that an Emu plume was once there, so I replaced it with an ORIGINAL ww1 plume, that I was given by a Light Horse veteran many years ago. SO, if the hat is original, and everything on it is original, one could rightly say that it is totally original, yes?.
Regards Bruce

[chippler]

the items may be original but the way you worded it made it seem like you are saying the hat is untouched, that is the way it was in the war and hasn't had anything added or taken away since the war.

I do agree with adding the rising sun badge but the addition of emu plumes would add value to the hat as it could be perceived by anyone seeing (or if you're selling it in the future) it as a genuine lighthorse slouch hat.

If you get a tunic with square-patch ghosting on the arms would you add any old square colour patch if you didn't have a name or a service number to add the correct patch?

The hat may have been a lighthorse slouch hat after all it doesn't have the stitching on the puggaree on the portion behind the turned up brim but if it didn't come with plumes and isn't named to a lighthorseman then I don't see it as original.

It's just my personal view. People may or may not agree with it. But I am sure everyone will agree with me when I say it's an awesome hat!

- Chris