Uniforms & Equipment
The Stetson Hat
Except for Canada’s First Contingent, which
wore cork helmets, the Stetson was issued to all Canadian units sent to
South Africa. It became the piece of uniform most readily identified
with Canadians, and served to distinguish them from other imperial
troops serving in the British Army in South Africa.
During the South African War, apart from the
2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal
Canadian Regiment of Infantry, all Canadian units that served in
South Africa wore Stetsons. The hat became firmly identified
with Canada and the Canadian military presence in South Africa.
Ironically, the hat was a product of the John B. Stetson Company,
one of the more successful nineteenth-century American headwear
manufacturers. Made of tan felt, with a large flat brim, and an oval
cylindrical crown with indentations, it became very popular amongst
cattle drivers of the western plains. Its trade names of "Boss of the
Plains " and "Pony Hat " reflected its largely cowboy
clientèle, and it is listed on inventories of stores of Canadian
units headed for South Africa as "Hat, Cowboy." Stetsons had been worn
unofficially by members of the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) since
1895, an increasing number of whom preferred it to the standard-issue
white pith helmet. Its adoption for use by Canadian units in South
Africa was probably due to the fact that many members of Canada's
second contingent were former members of the
NWMP.
When issued, the hat was provided with a silk, grosgrain ribbon
hatband, and a leather lace. An optional leather, buckled hatband was
available that could be worn over the ribbon. Many men also made their
own customized versions from belts and straps. Tooled leather bands
were also common.
The legacy of the Stetson's use in South Africa was its adoption as
the official headwear of the
NWMP in 1903. It
had also been taken into use by the
South African Constabulary.
Formed by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert-Baden Powell in 1900, the South
African Constabulary was a British military unit that included over
1,200 Canadians among its personnel. Baden-Powell, who had seen members
of the
Royal Canadian Field Artillery
wearing Stetsons at the
relief of Mafeking, ordered 10,000
directly from the American company to outfit his constabulary. This was
also the style of hat that he approved for his Boy Scout movement in
1907. Its continuing popularity is attested to by its recent adoption
by the Ontario Provincial Police.