Canadian early headgear

[Landsturm]

This is a German illustration from The Great War in a Different Light showing "Canadian soldiers during gas-attack at St. Julien". The headgear of the troops` is puzzling me... Was it possible that some Canadian units (militia for example?) wore this kind of hats instead of caps? Or is this just enemy`s cowboy-vision of over-seas soldiers?

[N.S.Regt.]

Lanstrum

Looks almost Boer War they had a similar cap then. I do not know what troops had them in WW1 seen a few pictures of mounted troops wearing them in Canada but not overseas. Maybe someone else is better informed than me never had a WW1 picture of any troops from Nova Scotia wearing them. Interesting picture though.

N.S.Regt.

[Terry]

My initial reaction is artistic licence by the German painter. However, we must have experts out there...

[N.S.Regt.]

Landstrum

I stand corrected I found in a old book printed about 1916 the hats at least some made it far as England below is the photo in question.

Best regards

N.S.Regt

[Broznitsky]

I wondered for a moment if any of our Mounted Rifle battalions had served at Ypres, but they did not hit France until later in 1915. (In any event, they were dismounted and wore normal infantry headgear in France, as far as I know).

This must be artistic licence . . .

Peter in Vancouver

[DrB]

I think this is artistic licence.

1. I believe the headgear worn by Canadian troops at 2nd Ypres was the soft cover and not the slouch hat. (At least by the infantry units *)

2. The soldiers are armed with the SMLE and not the Ross rifle that this splendid organization carried in this contest.

2. The Canadians were issued the cotton webbing gear carried by the British regulars at this time. I have seen no reference to leather Bandolier Equipment carried at 2nd Ypres. (*)

Doubtless some of our Canadian comrades can add other comments to this.

DrB

[jhill]

I wondered for a moment if any of our Mounted Rifle battalions had served at Ypres, but they did not hit France until later in 1915.  (In any event, they were dismounted and wore normal infantry headgear in France, as far as I know).

This must be artistic licence . . .

Peter in Vancouver

I agree that the depiction of the headgear is fantasic (as in "fantasy"). Staff artists working for periodical magazines were under deadlines to come up with a picture. I have seen fantastic illustrations in English publicatons as well. It is intructive to note that the Americans had already been exporting cowboy western movies for a decade at this time (although the movie business had not yet moved west to Hollywood).

For Peter's trivia file, there was, in fact, a Canadian cavalry unit present at 2nd Ypres. This was the 19th Alberta Dragoons. Officially, they comprised the Canadian Divisional Mounted Troops, Cavalry Squadron, but they defiantly clung to their original unit name, under which we can find their War Diary on the National Archives on-line site. During the battle, they spent their time on road control, collecting stragglers, and on communications duties. As far as I know, they wore ordinary British style cavalry headgear, (although I stand only to be corrected!).

[N.S.Regt.]

I noticed they are carring the Lee-Enfield most Canadians would have had the m1910 Ross rifle. I agree that the hat would not have been with the infantry durring wwI. The Canadians were sent overseas with a large assortment of equiptment early in the war a large amount was outdated at the time most of it would have been replaced by the time the hit France. The 25th Battalion was sent over with oliver pattern and received the P-08 on Sept. 6 1915 9 days before going to France. I would assume most of the Canadians in france would have done so also. As for the hat I feel the German artist must have used old photos or to base his depiction on or photos that made its way from the U.K. from Germany. They would have not seen many of these in France.

Best regards

N.S.Regt

[Joe Sweeney]

The 19th Alberta's wore Stetson's (even in France).

However I think the picture has more to do with Artists imagination than the 19th Alberta's.

Joe Sweeney

[jhill]

The 19th Alberta's wore Stetson's (even in France).

However I think the picture has more to do with Artists imagination than the 19th Alberta's.

Joe Sweeney

Thanks for clearing that up. (Ain't this forum grand?).

My knowedge of the wearing apparel of the 19th is based on a few pre war snippets such as this.

This photo, from the Glenbow Archives shows some of the lads with their stetson hats in 1914 before they had sailed o'er the seas to protect gallant little Belgium from the ravages of prussian frightfulness.

[Bill Alexander]

My vote is cast with artistic licence.

The 19 Alberta Dragoons were a squdron of the Canadian Light Horse, in turn part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. The Canadian Cavalry Brigade was under British control at the time of 2nd Ypres, and was not committed.

In an associated matter, what arm was employed by cavalry in WWI? It wouldn't have been the Ross, and not likely the Lee-Enfield as these were infantry long arms, and not suitable for mounted use?

[Grovetown]

Dear Bill

The SMLE was the small arm of British cavalry. When it was developed from the 'Lee-Enfield, Rifle, MKI'; it was done so by lopping 5" off the barrel. This was considered sufficiently carbine-like for the weapon to be used by infantry, mounted infantry and cavalry alike.

(Carrying an SMLE (in a saddle-mounted scabbard behind the right leg) was a piece of cake compared to horse-carried Maxims or Hotchkiss').

I'm sure it was also used as standard by cavalry/ light horse units of the empire troops too.

Which leads me to a (possibly stupid) question of my own:

What's the difference between WWI cavalry and mounted infantry?

[DrB]

For Grovetown

WWI cavalry were trained to scout, recon, screen army movements and charge in battle when required. They were armed with small arms, shoulder weapons, lances and the '08 Pattern sword. From 1st Ypres onward, they were dismounted and used as infantry when bullet blockers were in short supply. Later, they were remounted but never used as Haig wanted them to be used, to exploit breakthroughs and gaps in the enemy lines.

Mounted Infantry regts did not exist in the British Army as such. No tribal affectations, etc. They existed (selected from infantry regiments) earlier (strictly Ad hoc) but were declared superflous and disbanded.

Mounted Infantry could be found in the Canadian army, called "mounted rifles" and used as infantry. The Aussies had "Light Horse" which were nothing but mounted infantry. Many of their units were unhorsed at Gallipoli.

Their most famous exploit was in Palestine in October of '17 when the 4th Mounted Brigade consisting of the 2nd, 12th and 14th ALH were used in a mounted charge at Beersheba. The 14th was in reserve and the 2nd and 12th were formed into three lines and drew their bayonets in lieu of swords and successfully charged the Turks. They were given swords after that exploit.

In short, Cavalry were trained and performed as cavalry, Mounted Infantry were equipped and trained as infantry, but more mobile as they were mounted. (sometimes)

Hope this helps. DrB

[petrick]

On the picture the canadians are wearing a leather ammo bandoleer which was used in the boer war. clearly the sketcher of this picture must have drawn it on old photograhps and pictures.

And DRB

The light horse was also doing scout, recon, didn't caary lances only on escorting prisoners. See picture of el awrence and his ALH escort.

On the western front known as first and second Anzac mounted corps. Later deployed as cavalry corps.

Coo-ee