The 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) charging at Lucknow.

During the Indian Mutiny both Full Dress and Undress headgear was worn. Cavalry, as shown above, initially adopted a turban wound around the base of the metal helmets but how effective this was is debatable. Infantry soon adopted the Havelock cover, named after its creator Major General Henry Havelock, which covered both the cap/shako and included a neck curtain. Cavalry soon adopted a full quilted cover.

A full dress helmet to the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards. (Author’s collection)

The same helmet but without the plume. (Author’s collection)

The same helmet with quilted cover. (Author’s collection)

Infantry initially covered their Shakos with a Havelock but the Shako was unpopular because of its lack of significant ventilation and was soon superseded by the forage cap for active service.

The Shako with Havelock.

A forage cap with Havelock. (Courtesy of Gordon Byrne)

Scottish regiments utilized an abbreviated form of the Havelock as shown below.

Stuart Bates

August 2015

Sources:

Christopher Wilkinson-Latham and Gerry Embleton, Osprey Publishing, The Indian Mutiny