Author Archives: Stuart Bates

Straw Wolseley Helmets

A straw Wolseley dated 1915 and made by E. Day of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The straw weave is clearly visible beneath the cotton drill covering. This example is to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (Author’s collection)

A straw Wolseley dated 1915 and made by E. Day of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The straw weave is clearly visible beneath the cotton drill covering. This example is to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (Author’s collection)

As with the Colonial pattern of Foreign Service Helmet which preceded the Wolseley cork was the original material used, but because of wartime shortages of cork and the increased demand alternative materials were sought.

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Paget’s Horse in the Boer War

A colonial pattern helmet of Paget’s Horse showing one version of the helmet flash (Author’s collection)

Paget’s Horse was an elite unit whose four companies (51st, 52nd, 68th and 73rd) 1 made up the 19th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. “They were public school-educated men recruited through advertisements in gentlemen’s clubs. Continue reading