ATS Senior Controllers Officers cap

[larissa]

Hiya, this is a favourite item from my collection. I have never seen another as few women reached the rank of Colonel or Brigadier.

The quality is great. Sadly it is not named. I wish it was.

Cheers, Lez.

[RH1941]

Lez very nice hat. Gary

[Andy Baillie]

That's a beautiful cap,
I love the subtle differences between the men's and women's Commonwealth uniforms,

My friend Nancy has just started collecting ATS kit and was sooooo lucky to be able to buy an original Side Cap with the Hold-all (1944 pattern, I think?) from the woman who owned it with a photo of her wearing it in the war all for around £35!

She also picked up an original peaked cap for the same price in mint condition (not a repro)

I also spotted an original (1941-2 pattern? Can't remember off hand) economy ATS jacket at a show for her for £5!

I wish I had that kind of luck with my Men's uniforms!

Andy

The (blurry) picture shows Nancy wearing the side cap and jacket, although the shoulder titles on the jacket are repro

[larissa]

Hiya, thanks for the nice comments.

Hi Andy, your friend has done great!

I would tell her to take the repro titles off the uniform. These were really intended for use on Battledress. This tunic needs the brass "ATS" shoulder titles putting on the shoulder straps, or if later dated, slip on cloth shoulder titles. These can be embroidered or printed.

The hold all style kit bag came in two versions: the early ones have a smaller opening. The later ones open nearly the full length of the bag making it easier to pack/unpack.

Cheers, Lez.

[Andy Baillie]

Thanks lez,

I'll pass that info on to her


I think her Holdall has the smaller opening, as I seem to recall it is rather awkward getting bits in and out!

Andy x

[larissa]

A couple more pics showing the makers label and the wear.

The maker, Thomas Townend & Co Ltd had a factory in Atherstone, Warwickshire and had retail three outlet shops in central London: 16 Lime Street, 14 Fenchurch Street, and 110 Oxford Street.

Cheers, Lez.

[Jerry B]

Very cool and rare cap Lez, thanks for bumping this old thread.

[larissa]

Thanks Jerry.

We have never seen another for sale anywhere.

Cheers, Lez.

[Battery Command Post]

Lovely cap :

I have always liked senior officer stuff, and you don't see it that often.

Is the red band attached/part of the cap or a separate band? I ask because I have a similar red band and badge (which actually belonged to a male Brigadier).

Rob

[larissa]

Hiya Rob, glad you like it.

The red band is spearate and is not stitched in place.

Cheers, Lez.