The Friends Of The Suffolk Regiment

  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • Operation 'Legacy'
  • Join Us
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • The Team
  • Friends News
  • Contact
  • Welcome
  • Introduction
    • The 'Family'
  • Publications
    • Operation 'Legacy'
  • Join Us
  • 'Honours and Awards'
  • Battlefield Tours
  • The Team
  • Friends News
  • Contact

OPERATION LEGACY
​A UNIQUE DAY-BY-DAY REMEMBRANCE, 2014 - 2018

follow below, the great war service of the suffolk regiment,
​from mobilisation to the armistice

Gor Blimey!

29/12/2014

 
Picture
The winter of 1914-15 was one of the coldest on record. 
In an attempt to ensure that the men at the front received as much protection from the elements as possible, the Army designed a new form of service dress cap. Designed to be worn firstly as a cap, but when required, as a balaclava as well. 
Thus in mid-November 1914, the first 'Caps, Winter Service Dress' began to be issued to the men of the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment's. 
Unsightly in their appearance, they were a complete break-away from the traditionally smart style of headdress worn by the British Army till that time. Hugely disliked by many of the recruits of Kitcheners New Armies, who had the misfortune to be issued with them, they marked one out as a 'newbie.' Quickly this novel form of headdress became known as the 'Gor Blimey' due it was said, to the exclamation of the first Sergeant-Major who saw one on parade for the first time.
By March of 1915, their manufacture had ceased and they became limited to being issued only to troops proceeding overseas. For No. 2633 Private George Sutton (above) who enlisted in the Cambridgeshire regiment in November 1914, he was issued with just such a cap. The Army had a problem too regarding the rest of it's winter clothing... 


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Welcome to our online 'blog' charting the history of the many Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment and the part they played in the Great War.
    Starting back in March 2014, we have recorded the events of 100 years ago on the centenary of their happening.
    Keep checking back to see how the Great War is progressing for the men of the Suffolk Regiment.
    ​

    Archives

    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.