Universal (or Pith) Helmet

This Universal Helmet (sometimes called a pith helmet) was likely to have been used by a 1st Battalion soldier in India either prior to WW2 or during WW2. Although the old regimental numbers of 65th and 84th were discontinued at the merger of the 2 regiments of foot in 1881, these numbers were on occassions used to identify the 2 different battalions. In this case, the number 65 in the red patch indicates the 1st Battalion and the number 84 indicates the 2nd Battalion. Its notable that the red patch is orientated as a square and is sewn onto the pagri cloth that fits around the helmet. 

This helmet is dated 1914 and after use in WW1, may have been kept in storage until WW2 or used throughout the period between the wars. Due to the fragile nature of the material and the extreme environmental conditions in India, very few of these patches survive.

During the Burma campaign in WW2, the 2nd Battalion was spilt into 2 Chindit columns. The 65 column wore a red diamond patch and the 84 column wore a black square with their respective numbers embroidered onto a patch sewn onto the pagri of the slouch hat. The main difference between the 65 patch worn on the Pith helmet and the 65 patch worn on the slouch hat is that the former was a square patch and the later was a diamond patch.

Example of 65 square patch on pith helmet worn by Cpl Albert Handley MM of the 1st Battalion during 1942 in India.

Example of 65 Chindit column diamond patch on slouch hat worn by 2nd Battalion in Burma.