TOPIC:

Hello Iain,
Actually, I think I should point out here that the removal of spikes and chains was quite normal on campaign, now, before you have a go at me, please direct any comments regarding cow dung to the NAM Chelsea!
Regards Frank

Iain,
I can assure you that the 21st, 24th, 58th regts and the 17th Lancers had all tried out "their own" helmet colours in 1879, whilst on campaign, in Natal, perhaps not the shade we are used to, more of a brown really, but the effect was much the same!
Frank

iaindh wrote: I wasn't aware of that!
The helmet plate was a sort of "shoot me" sign, particularly on a white helmet.
Moving the insignia to the side made a lot of sense.
I thought it may have been after the 1st Boer war that Khaki was adopted but seemingly it was 1897, just before ABW.

Hi Frank,

I'm sure cow dung is easy to apply, they probably let it dry first. Tea however conjures up other images like...."'ere mate just tip yer cup a' char over me 'ead, I don't wanna die today!"

regards Iain

OK tell me I am wrong but I remember seeing pictures of the 17th Lancers with Black Helmets.....

Mike

Frank Kelley wrote: Iain,
I can assure you that the 21st, 24th, 58th regts and the 17th Lancers had all tried out "their own" helmet colours in 1879, whilst on campaign, in Natal, perhaps not the shade we are used to, more of a brown really, but the effect was much the same!
Frank

Hello Mike,
I brought this up only to answer Iain's question and this is a second Boer War forum so it is not the place, however, the 17th Lancers arrived in Natal wearing white foreign service helmets, brass spikes and chin chains were not normally worn on campaign and were removed, note, this was not the case with the Natal Volunteers, dyes were used to make them less conspicuous using the methods I mentioned.
Now what colour they were later on and their appearance in the field is another matter, don't forget that there was no provision for replacing worn clothing during that campaign.
I know that the climate in Natal can be extreme, baking hot days alternated with sudden downpours in the summer, cold chilling frost in winter, moreover much of the colony was covered in thornbush, none of this is good for uniforms and indeed cork helmets!
Also, can I just take this opportunity to apologize for bringing this subject up! in particular the mention of cow dung!
Regards Frank

Hi Frank,
I found your posts re the dyeing of the helmets very informative and I dont know why you feel the need to apologise if that is what they did. Even if it was from another period, it is relevant to ABW forum.

regards Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hello Mike,
I brought this up only to answer Iain's question and this is a second Boer War forum so it is not the place, however, the 17th Lancers arrived in Natal wearing white foreign service helmets, brass spikes and chin chains were not normally worn on campaign and were removed, note, this was not the case with the Natal Volunteers, dyes were used to make them less conspicuous using the methods I mentioned.
Now what colour they were later on and their appearance in the field is another matter, don't forget that there was no provision for replacing worn clothing during that campaign.
I know that the climate in Natal can be extreme, baking hot days alternated with sudden downpours in the summer, cold chilling frost in winter, moreover much of the colony was covered in thornbush, none of this is good for uniforms and indeed cork helmets!
Also, can I just take this opportunity to apologize for bringing this subject up! in particular the mention of cow dung!
Regards Frank