The British “Foreign Service Helmet” was introduced in the 1870s for use in its overseas colonies. Around the same time the “Home Service Helmet” – known today amongst collectors as the “blue cloth helmet” – was introduced for use by units the British Army whilst stationed in the UK. The Foreign Service Helmet notably was replaced by the Wolseley pattern helmet, while the Home Service Helmet remained in use through World War I and was gradually phased out in the years following the horrific conflict.

Today both patterns have been relegated for use by bandsman and for certain very formal situations. It is the latter situation where the helmet was reintroduced not once but actually a total of three times for a unit that actually didn’t exist back in the 1870s. Continue reading →