Aussie WW2 Slouch Hats

**Battery Command Post** · 02-05-2012, 06:21 PM

Lovely hats! Always wanted to have an example, but never managed to get one yet.

Rob

**Unionjack** · 02-05-2012, 06:29 PM

Does anyone have a pic of the ladies pattern hat? The one worn by the AWAS?

**AMTG** · 02-05-2012, 10:24 PM

Hat khaki fur felt......typical Army designation....

The best ones to find are the "Akubra" brand...Akubra has been making slouches since WW1, and even though "mountcastle" also now makes slouches,Akubras can still be found....my own slouchie from my time in the Army is an Akubra...they bash well and hold their shape,nwhereas " mountcastle" are a lot stiffer.....6 rabbits go into each Akubra slouchie!!!!

**AMTG** · 02-05-2012, 10:30 PM

Most issue hats now are mountcastle, however a lot of soldiers lash out and buy themselves an Akubra....it's like getting issued a beret, but then you go out and buy a "kent"

**reneblacky** · 02-07-2012, 06:33 AM

by Unionjack

Does anyone have a pic of the ladies pattern hat? The one worn by the AWAS?

This is all I can show on AWAS

**Unionjack** · 02-07-2012, 07:36 AM

Thanks. From the very few pics i've ever seen the hat appears to have a circular top with inverted 'pork pie' crown, rather than the oval 'cowboy hat' shape of the mens. If that makes sense.

We picked up two AWAS uniforms a while back you see and would be nice to acquire the rest, or at least something close.

**reneblacky** · 02-07-2012, 07:42 AM

by Unionjack

Thanks. From the very few pics i've ever seen the hat appears to have a circular top with inverted 'pork pie' crown, rather than the oval 'cowboy hat' shape of the mens. If that makes sense.

We picked up two AWAS uniforms a while back you see and would be nice to acquire the rest, or at least something close.

Nice pick up as these a very rare and I'd love to see them, I may have some war time photos, give me a few days.

**Aus der Traum** · 02-07-2012, 08:01 AM

Very nice, René. My compliments!

Josh

**Unionjack** · 02-07-2012, 07:21 PM

Sorry I don't have photo's of them and they're tucked away in the loft. I recall one tunic is an issue 'D/|\D' type, war dated but unbadged. The other is a Private purchase Officers tunic and skirt, no labels, wartime pattern but with Korea period "Commonwealth" and "Australia" badges.

The only pic we have is this one and it's not that good a view of the hat.

Looks a bit like a British Women's Land Army hat.

**Thanatos** · 02-08-2012, 06:32 AM

Extracted these two images from,
"Khaki and Green" published by Austrailia War Memorial in late 1943.
Front rank second from the left in the group photo.