COLOURED FIELD SERVICE CAPS OF THE EDMONTON REGIMENT AND LOYAL EDMONTON REGIMENT

by James J. Boulton

The coloured field service caps of this regiment are of particular interest because most officers did not wear the regulation pattern and added a badge that had not been approved, and finally many of the caps worn by other ranks were of higher quality than normally seen.

With the introduction of the 1937 pattern field service cap to the British and Canadian armies, the officers of each regiment and corps were invited to submit proposed patterns for officers and other ranks up the chain of command to National Defence Headquarters where final approval was given by the Master-General of the Ordnance.

Officers

Officers’ caps were generally distinguished by superior, quality fabric, fine construction and satin or silesia linings with a velvet sweatband. Metallic French braid (circular in cross section) was restricted to officers’ caps. Both gold wire and metallized celluloid braid are seen.

The pattern selected by officers of the Edmonton Regiment was blue and scarlet, corresponding to the officers’ blue undress forage cap with scarlet piping on the crown. It was finished with gold French braid.

While some cap patterns were unique to the unit, the pattern selected by the regiment was similar to that of generals, brigadiers and substantive colonels of both the British and Canadian armies and shared with the officers of the Prince Edward Island Light Horse and Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke.

The approved regulation patterns consisted of:      

The regulation pattern coloured Field Service cap and badge for officers. The gold metalized celluloid French braid on the curtain is to be noted. (JJB collection, courtesy WG Hughes

The regulation pattern for officers was included in the Dress Regulations 1943, specifying gold French braid on the crown, front and back seam and the curtain.

Numerous examples and the photographic record show, however, that scarlet piping on the curtain was commonly substituted, creating a handsome and distinctive pattern. This notwithstanding, the Dress Regulations 1947 continue to specify gold braid throughout.

The reason for this unauthorized change is so far unknown. It is not likely, but possible, that the British manufacturer, Hobson and Sons, suggested the alteration because of the resemblance of the regulation pattern to that of generals and senior staff officers and may indeed have been reticent to produce it for the regiment.

It is, however, curious that the change was not presented to the Master-General of the Ordnance, given the considerable correspondence on coloured field service caps at every level of the army throughout the war.

Officer’s cap, attributed to Lt. T.P.H. Darlington. A common variation with the substitution of scarlet piping on the curtain. (Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum collection)

Caps for the Edmonton Regiment were made in both Britain and Canada. It  is believed that all Canadian-made caps were the regulation pattern.

Other Ranks

Many examples of the caps for the other ranks of the regiment are unusual in that they approximate officers’ quality interiors, including the velvet sweatband, whether of Canadian or British manufacture and whether with quality or standard shell fabric.

The other ranks’ pattern resembles the coloured field service caps for officers of the Midland Regiment, the Prince of Wales Rangers and the Westminster Regiment.

An other ranks’ cap by Hobson and Sons, London. Officers’ quality construction with a black satin lining and black velvet sweatband. British bright gilt General Service buttons. (Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum collection)

Badges

Officers of the regiment generally used issue brass badges available through the Quartermaster, but the coloured field service caps were attractive, expensive and often great care taken in finishing them with handsome badges.

Occasional, costly fire gilt (gold frosted) officers’ badges are seen. Many officers’ caps bear gold wire embroidered badges made in England reflecting homage to the 49^th Battalion, CEF, but not yet officially approved. A War Office order in March 1941 actually prohibited embroidered badges.  In 1943, the regiment was re-designated the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, the change reflected in a revised badge.

Left, rare fire gilt officers’ badge. Center , a fine wire-embroidered  badge. Right, a brass badge. The scarlet backing was added pursuant to orders in July 1944 and March 1945.

Buttons  

British General Service buttons are common on caps made in England. Canadian made caps usually were finished with Canadian general service buttons.  A regimental pattern is known. One British-made example curiously bears 1901 pattern Canadian Militia buttons that the maker had available.

The regulation size was 20-ligne (1/2 inch, 13 mm) but there was a small range of sizes seen in use.

Left to right, British GS, Canadian GS, regimental, Canadian Militia buttons

Lt. Colonel W.G. Stillman in July 1941. He commanded the regiment when it was mobilized. (MilArt Photo Archives)

The very fine appearance of the most common officers’ cap pattern and badge.  (Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum collection)

Major A.F. McDonald, pictured in England in May 1943.  The buttons are British general service and the badge is embroidered wire. There is gold braid on the crown and seams and red piping on the curtain. (Milart Photo Archives)

Officers of the regiment pictured in Britain in 1941. All are wearing coloured field service caps. Included in the group are an officer of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and one of the Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps, wearing their respective corps coloured caps. The chaplain at far right, a honorary captain, is wearing a khaki field service cap. (Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum archives)

Reference:  Boulton, J.J. and C.M. Law – Canadian Field Service Caps Service Publications 2014

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