HEADDRESS The Khaki Field Service (side) Cap was worn by all ranks of the battalion with the issue of battledress on their return home from India up until July 1942. The small bugle horn cap badge was worn.
Regimental War Chronicle Vol 3 1942-1944:- "During July 1942 the maroon beret for wear by all airborne forces was issued. There is no doubt that this distinctive headgear had great moral effect, establishing, as it did, a mutual comradeship and esprit de corps between all wearers, whatever their regiment or arm of the Service."
The “small” bugle horn cap badge was worn on a Light Infantry/Rifle Green circular patch sewn onto the maroon beret.
Cpl "Ham and Jam" Tappendens original beret displayed at Bletchley Park.
CAP BADGE Regimental War Chronicle Vol 2 1940-1942 Early in August (1940) Lieutenant-Colonels D.C. Covill, D.S.O., M.C. commanding the 43rd, L.W. Giles, M.C. commanding the 52nd, and G.E. Whittal, M.C. commanding the I.T.C. , met at Cowley Brarracks and agreed on certain items which were circulated to all battalions as follows:
CAP BADGES: Small shoulder title horn to be drawn by the Quatermaster from Ordnance, silvered privately and issued to the regiment at 2 1/2d.
As far as the 52nd were concerned this was not a new badge to them, they had already been wearing them as per the 52nds letter in the Regimental Chronicle for 1927:- “August 22.—Khaki Field Service Caps ordered to be replaced by all ranks with those of dark green colour as the former become unserviceable, the small bugle (shoulder bugle size of white metal) to be worn with the latter.”