Glengarry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the cap. For the region of Ontario, see Glengarry County, Ontario.
A Glengarry (also Glengarry bonnet or Glengarry cap) is a type of cap which Alasdair Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry invented and wears in the portrait to the right, a boat-shaped cap without a peak made of thick-milled woollen material with a toorie or bobble on top and ribbons hanging down behind, capable of being folded flat. It became part of the uniform of a number of Scottish regiments, with differences in whether or not the cap had a diced band around above the brim and in the colours. For a period in the late 19th century it was worn by all British soldiers. A cap described in a 1937 amendment to the Dress Regulations for the Army as "similar in shape to the Glengarry" became the Universal Pattern Field Service Cap of the British Army in World War II. The Glengarry was worn by all Scottish infantry regiments up to the amalgamation of all Scottish units into the Royal Regiment of Scotland, in various colours as an alternative to the tam o'shanter, particularly in parade dress (when it is always worn, except by the Black Watch) and by some regiments' musicians (who wear feather bonnets in full dress). Other Commonwealth military forces, who also have Scottish and Highland regiments, also make use of the glengarry. The Glengarry is also commonly worn by civilians, notably civilian pipe bands, but can be considered an appropriate hat worn by any males with Highland casual or evening dress.
The style of dicing on the side of the cap was a means of identifying different regiments.
The correct method of wearing the glengarry has changed since the end of the Second World War. Prior to 1945, glengarries were generally worn steeply angled, with the right side of the cap worn low, often touching the ear, and the side with the capbadge higher on the head. The trend since the end of the war has been to wear the glengarry level on the head.
[edit] References
- British Glengarries - British Army Uniforms and Equipment of World War Two. Brian L. Davis, Arms and Armour Press, London 1983 ISBN 0-85368-609-2
- Canadian Glengarries in the First World War - Khaki. Clive M. Law, Service Publications, Ottawa ISBN 0-9699845-4-5
- Canadian Glengarries in the Second World War - Dressed to Kill. Michael A. Dorosh, CD, Service Publications, Ottawa, 2001 ISBN 1-894581-07-5
