Royal Ulster Rifles: Head Gear
Below is a selection of head gear from the Irish regiments we portray
The Field Service Cap, sometimes referred to as a chip-shop cap, side cap or FS Cap as specified in 1937 to be worn with battledress. It was very popular with the troops and was often worn at many strange angels.
The MkIII helmet, D-Day helmet, or turtle helmet, because of its shape was launched in November 1943. Issued in priority to assault units for the June 1944 Normandy Invasion. Lining and fittings similar to the MkII's. The MkIV went into production in 1945. It had a removable lining held at the top of the shell by an American-style ' lift the dot ' fastener. Often the MkIII's were not issued in enough numbers for the D-Day landings and a mixture of MkII's and MkIII's can be seen in some regiments. The chin strap lugs on the MKIV have also moved 2cm from the lower rim. Chinstrap was of canvas. The above helmet is a MKIII.
Fs Cap with Royal Ulster Rifles Insignia
British Airborne steel helmet MkI, with leather chin strap. The earlier fiber strip of the first pattern issued from July 1942 has been replaced with s stainless steel rim around the shell base. Issued from October 1942, and still worn extensively even after the introduction of the MkII in Febraury 1944. The MkII had a webbing chinstrap.
Field Service caps in regimental and corps colours were also worn in an attempt to add colour to Battledress on parade or off duty. From 1943 onwards the General Service cap ( below ) and drab beret began to replace the Field Service cap.
General Service Cap, RuR, pulled to the left.
Officers in some regiments were permitted to wear Service Dress caps with Battledress, but this practice was not as widespread as it became post-war. The Field Service Cap was still worn by some units in 1944 and 1945, units such as the Royal Pioneer Corps. The GS Cap proved very unpopular with the troops, mainly due to its size and terrible shape. Often referred to as the cap ridiculous, although if given some attention it could look quite smart. The above example shows the green patch behind the badge of the RUR, and very distinctive as it is pulled over the left eye, instead of the right. Sometimes shaped in the style of a Caubeen.
London Irish Rifles - Irish Guards
British MkI Airborne helmet
During WW2 and as part of the 6th Airborne Division, the 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles wore the famous Maroon Airborne beret, here with the green patch and RUR cap badge.
Coloured berets became increasingly popular and were taken into use by a number of units, chiefly the Royal Armoured Corps, Airborne and special Service Corps.
The Royal Ulster Rifles: Helmets
Caubeen, London Irish Rifles.
The London Irish Rifles were a Territorial unit of the Royal Ulster Rifles. They fought desperately for 8 months during the Italian campaign with the Irish Brigade and 56th London Division eventually crossing the Po river and into Austria.
The MkI helmet was a modified pattern of the First World War model. It had a new lining attached to the shell by a bolt and screw similar to those of the MkII, as
Service Dress Cap, Irish Guards. Worn on leave. In the field they either wore the black beret, the khaki beret or GS cap, depending on assignment.
The MkII British helmet
well as a metal ring around the visor. The MkII ( above ) was produced in 1938. It was used throughout the war. The patenet leather lining was attached by a bolt and screw. It had an anti-magnetic rim. The chinstrap was made of canvas and springs of elasticated cloth. The model shown here is dated 1939.
the 2nd battalion royal ulster rifles
World War 2 Living History Group
