The General Service cap or "Cap, Ridiculous"

[Adrian Stevenson]

Well, that is what some troops called it!

The correct title was "Cap, General Service". It was first introduced under "Army Council Instruction 1407" of September 1943. This cap was designed to replace the "Field Service cap" or "FS Cap" that had been worn since the outbreak of war. (Familar to all as the cap worn in TV's "Dad's Army") I have coverd the FS cap here:

http://warrelics.eu/forum/ussr-weste...rvice-cap.html

These caps were issued in priority to units serving overseas. UK based units got theirs later on. It was at first unpopular due to it's over large appearance. The cap was not a beret. It was made from several peices of drab cloth material, whereas a beret was a one piece item. It was based on the Scottish balmoral bonnet in design. First issues were made from the same gaberdine cloth as the old "FS" cap.

Badges worn on it were the conventional Officers bronze, and OR's badges in both plastic and metal. Units which had special distinctions could still wear these on the "GS" cap.

The cap was worn by regulation one inch above the eyebrows, with badge over the left eye and the cap pulled down to the right. But many wartime photos will show it worn pushed back on the head, which seemed to be a fashion with many squaddies late in the War.

Officers could only obtain the cap upon repayment to the RAOC. They were not allowed to purchase the cap until their unit had been issued with it wholesale. Higher rankng Officers often got away with wearing a Khaki beret, which was, of course, against regulations Fashion conscious OR's would also risk wrath from upon high by buying one of these for "walking out".

Interior pic shows the Glasgow makers mark and 1945 date

[Adrian Stevenson]

These caps used to be common and not very sought after, but now they are reproduced for re-enactors and originals have gone up in price.

This particular example was issued to a member of the Royal Engineers as can be seen from his stenciled service number to the caps lining.

Photographed again this time with an RE cap badge in place.

Note the multi peice construction and double air vent grommets at the back of the cap

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Super post Ade! Inteersting and valuable info.

Here's a pic of a corporal in the Polish Armed Forces in the West wearing the arguably venerable GS cap.

Cheers,
Tony

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Tony, that is a nice photo of the cap in wear. Worn in typical Polish fashion on the back of the head

As I mentioned earlier, British troops, when off duty, would often wear the cap like that too, which was strictly against regulations!

Cheers, Ade.

[Paul E]

Not the most fashionable bit of headwear we ever produced Ade !! the jaunty back of the head look was certainly popular.

Haven't really seen that many for sale , maybe the lads just binned them as soon as they could !!

regards

Paul

[Jerry B]

Useful thread. Do these always have the two vents/gromments in them?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Jerry, if my memory serves me correctly, yes they usually have the air vents.

Cheers, Ade.

[Jerry B]

Thanks Ade. I assumed they did but assumption is the mother of all F#ck ups.

[Loupie1961]

My two cents added to this interesting thread. A GS cap badged to a member of the South African Army Technical Services Corps, most likely WWII or immediately post war period. Please take notice of the piece of perspex that had been used in order to prevent the split pin damaging the liner and to give the GS cap, in fact a sort of beret, its right tilted slant.

[Jerry B]

A fine example and good to see SA used one. Here is my example.RE officers GS cap with interesting history