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British headgear in WW1

from tradition to protection

  • display cabinets (museum café)
  • dossier exhibition

About

At the start of the Great War the British army, unlike its future allies, had already undergone several reforms. Based on its experiences in two colonial wars the army had introduced the same khaki cloth cap for all its units, albeit with a different cap badge for every regiment and corps. Scotland was the only exception to this rule, retaining its traditional headgear. Trench warfare however led to an increase in (lethal) head injuries necessitating the introduction of the metal helmet. This helmet was modified several times during the war.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication.