Armoured Cars, Tanks, Other Vehicles... & Pith Helmets.

Not a photo but mention of Topees in the war diary of 8th Royal Fusiliers for Feb 1943:

"23. HOT WEATHER PRECAUTIONS. Officers will take immediate steps to inspect Topees, Mosquito Nets, K.D. Clothing etc., and ensure that exchanges, as necessary, are effected before the hot weather. Steps will be taken to give instruction on the avoidance of heat stroke, the vital necessity for wearing the Topee in the heat of the day, Anti-malaria precautions etc. In order to avoid a high percentage of hot-weather casualties, these matters will receive the IMMEDIATE attention of all concerned."

Has anyone seen any scientific evidence that wearing Topees was actually useful for the avoidance of heat stroke?

Regards
Tom

 

Tom

There's an awful lot of stuff on the internet on the subject.

GOOGLE this as an example: Did topees stop sunstroke

I am reminded that I was issued with a Pith Helmet at Woolwich RA Barracks in April 1943 prior to embarking for North Africa.

We wore them to march from the ship to our billets and then they were taken away from us, never to be seen again !

Ron

 

“How much is that pith hat in the window?”

 

No price mate
It was closed so could not pop in

 

Despite the OPEN sign.

 

Ha ha yes indeed

 

Actually my post was a rather lame joke that nobody caught. Put the words "how much is that pith hat in the window" to the tune of "how much is that doggie in the window, arf arf...."

Yes I know, lame, but I thought that it was funny at first. Had a few beers in me at the time, so farting was funny too.

 

oh mate sorry i cant believe i missed that

 

Farting never goes out of fashion.

 

I realise that this one is drifting off-topic, except for the titfers but it's such a cracking inter-war piece that I needed to share it somewhere.

 

...and no topees here but there should be and I don't know of a better thread for obscure 1920s half-armoured cars in the East, especially RAF ones. What are they?

 

Some things never change. March 14th, Valcartier Quebec. Headed west for exercises.

 

Looks similar to a Beaverette....but more sturdily built!

 

lancia armoured tenders I think

 

I dimly recall a mention of the RAF using armoured trucks as personnel carriers with their armoured car patrols but can't remember where I got that from.

 

Another view with what might be a 1925 model RAF Panther sidecar outift. Registration number looks as per the pattern used in India.

 

Always thought They wore Aussie style hats in Burma.

My uncle Bill "Somewhere in Burma." Don't know where don't know when.
He arrived on 20.12 43 GHQ BBRC Deolali Served with Devonshires, in 24.1 44 transferred to South Lancs Regt at Bawli, moved to Calcutta 5.3.44 then 1st Wilts 13.4.44 followed by 14th Army Sigs.27.7.44
after this he went to a transit camp 2.8.44 and then as an instructor at Poonar 31.10.44 TOS India Command from ALFSEA
rejoined 1st Wilts.Had 18 days leave.
He was conscripted into the General Service Corps being sent to Signals School (where his brother went with the Royal Sigs) spending his time with various Regts as a Radio Signaller.

 

Pith Helmets and horses
Have a photo here of someone on a horse with a sword we are not exactly sure who he is or where but suspect its a family friend who started in the TA in Worcestershire but transferred to the Warwickshire Yeomanry (who went to Palestine in 1939 as cavalry then mechanised in 1941).
The Worcestershire Yeomanry I think changed to Artillery in 1919, the one photo is obviously Artillery possibly 67 Field Regiment circa 1920 as it was taken in Malvern.
The person we think it is appears in family photo's with Artillery collar dogs.
He also seems to be at a camp either on a horse or taking the photo and appears to be in the Artillery.
We have a post war photo which we think is him in battle dress but his cap badge is not visible
so is not included.
Any experts to give their opinions.