On card: “Cap – cloth – winter melton 1942-1945, issued with a brass cap badge due to shortage of nickel”

Cap badge is attached with red felt backing behind

One of a complete collection of regimental headdress with the exception of the feather bonnet (present elsewhere in museum). The original Glengarry from 1892 is still standard to the present day only construction materials have changed. The Balmoral style headdress was introduced in 1914 to regimental service and only construction materials have changed.

The headdress is the “Cap, Winter, Field Service”, commonly referred to as the “Winter Field Service Cap” or “Melton Cap”.

Details:

• Material: Heavy Melton wool (lined), designed for cold weather.
• Issued: Circa 1942–1945, primarily for wear in cold-weather theatres such as Italy, Northwest Europe, and Canada.
• Design: Fold-down side flaps that could be tied over the crown or worn down over the ears and neck.
• Badge Placement: Front, centered.
• Colour: Olive drab or khaki brown-green depending on batch.
• Purpose: Warmth in static or rear-area duties — not typically worn in battle, where the steel helmet remained standard.
• Colloquially called a “Melton Cap”, especially in veteran circles.