Berets
The beret is a form of headdress with a long history of use in the Canadian Army.
1900 - 1939
Military use of the beret in the British Empire began in the 1920s, when British tank crews began searching for an alternative to the khaki forage cap (known as a Service Dress Cap). The stiff, high-crowned, peaked cap was impractical for use in the confines of a tank, and the serge material was easily stained. In 1924, taking their cue from French tank crews who had worn two different styles of Basque beret in the First World War, the black wool beret was adopted. The central "stalk" found on the crown of the French beret was omitted, and a silk adjustment ribbon, tied at the back, was adopted. The ribbons were to be tied and cut off, or tucked up under the hat and not allowed to dangle freely as is the custom in many armies today.
The first unit of the Canadian Army to adopt a beret as standard headdress was the Essex Regiment (Tank), who did so in May of 1937. Canada did not have a tank regiment of its own until the creation of the Essex. Only five other tank regiments were created in Canada, and all were considered infantry units and retained their previous headdress.
The 1943 War Dress Regulations of the Canadian Army would later state:
"Black Beret (The Canadian Army and Reserve Army Tank units): Black cloth one piece, large size 11 1/4-inches long x 10 3/4-inches wide, small size 10 3/4-inches long x 10 1/4-inches wide. Bottom bound with black ribbon to a depth of 5/8-inches through which is passed a black ribbon drawstring 3/8-inches wide and tied in a bow behind. Two black ventilator eyelet's are fitted in the band on the right side, 1-inch apart and about 5 1/2 inches and 6 1/2-inches respectively from the opening for the drawstring. Black silk lining quilted and at the top and attached to beret at bottom band only. Regimental cap badge is worn on left side centre badge about 3" from front, bottom of badge resting on binding. A piece of stiffened canvas, covered with black silk, about 2 1/2 inches long and two inches wide, is attached to the lining at the top and bottom only to cover the badge lugs and pin. A flash of horse hair in equal parts, green, red and brown, 2 inches deep. 3/4 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches spread at the top, may be worn behind the cap badge in Undress Order in accordance with regimental custom green portion to the front, except as follows.
During the early part of the Second World War, Cavalry Regiments became Armoured Car and Reconnaissance Regiments.
1939 - 1950
The Second World War saw the introduction of many different colours of beret, and in 1943, the Army as a whole adopted the khaki beret for those not serving in regiments with distinctive headdress.
The Canadian beret was made of khaki coloured wool with a brown leather band. Unlike modern berets the body was much larger and fuller and it did not have a badge stiffener. The beret is worn centered on the head with the band about two fingers width above the eyebrow. The beret was pulled to the right and the cap badge is centered over the left eye. Some soldiers put a celluloid or cardboard stiffener inside the beret to raise and center the cap badge. Note that during the Second World War, berets were NOT intentionally shrunk as is modern practice. A large floppy beret was the style for the period.
With the creation of the Canadian Armoured Corps, the black beret became their standard headdress also, and many infantry regiments converted to tank units during the Second World War. The black berets were highly prized. General Montgomery added much to the mystique of the black beret by wearing one regularly, adorned with two cap badges (one from the Royal Tank Regiment, the other indicating his status as a general officer). Canadian General Guy Simonds, commander of II Canadian Corps in Northwest Europe, also adopted the black beret despite not having been an armoured officer.
The beret is a form of headdress with a long history of use in the Canadian Army.
1900 - 1939
Military use of the beret in the British Empire began in the 1920s, when British tank crews began searching for an alternative to the khaki forage cap (known as a Service Dress Cap). The stiff, high-crowned, peaked cap was impractical for use in the confines of a tank, and the serge material was easily stained. In 1924, taking their cue from French tank crews who had worn two different styles of Basque beret in the First World War, the black wool beret was adopted. The central "stalk" found on the crown of the French beret was omitted, and a silk adjustment ribbon, tied at the back, was adopted. The ribbons were to be tied and cut off, or tucked up under the hat and not allowed to dangle freely as is the custom in many armies today.
The first unit of the Canadian Army to adopt a beret as standard headdress was the Essex Regiment (Tank), who did so in May of 1937. Canada did not have a tank regiment of its own until the creation of the Essex. Only five other tank regiments were created in Canada, and all were considered infantry units and retained their previous headdress.
The 1943 War Dress Regulations of the Canadian Army would later state:
"Black Beret (The Canadian Army and Reserve Army Tank units): Black cloth one piece, large size 11 1/4-inches long x 10 3/4-inches wide, small size 10 3/4-inches long x 10 1/4-inches wide. Bottom bound with black ribbon to a depth of 5/8-inches through which is passed a black ribbon drawstring 3/8-inches wide and tied in a bow behind. Two black ventilator eyelet's are fitted in the band on the right side, 1-inch apart and about 5 1/2 inches and 6 1/2-inches respectively from the opening for the drawstring. Black silk lining quilted and at the top and attached to beret at bottom band only. Regimental cap badge is worn on left side centre badge about 3" from front, bottom of badge resting on binding. A piece of stiffened canvas, covered with black silk, about 2 1/2 inches long and two inches wide, is attached to the lining at the top and bottom only to cover the badge lugs and pin. A flash of horse hair in equal parts, green, red and brown, 2 inches deep. 3/4 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches spread at the top, may be worn behind the cap badge in Undress Order in accordance with regimental custom green portion to the front, except as follows.
During the early part of the Second World War, Cavalry Regiments became Armoured Car and Reconnaissance Regiments.
1939 - 1950
The Second World War saw the introduction of many different colours of beret, and in 1943, the Army as a whole adopted the khaki beret for those not serving in regiments with distinctive headdress.
The Canadian beret was made of khaki coloured wool with a brown leather band. Unlike modern berets the body was much larger and fuller and it did not have a badge stiffener. The beret is worn centered on the head with the band about two fingers width above the eyebrow. The beret was pulled to the right and the cap badge is centered over the left eye. Some soldiers put a celluloid or cardboard stiffener inside the beret to raise and center the cap badge. Note that during the Second World War, berets were NOT intentionally shrunk as is modern practice. A large floppy beret was the style for the period.
With the creation of the Canadian Armoured Corps, the black beret became their standard headdress also, and many infantry regiments converted to tank units during the Second World War. The black berets were highly prized. General Montgomery added much to the mystique of the black beret by wearing one regularly, adorned with two cap badges (one from the Royal Tank Regiment, the other indicating his status as a general officer). Canadian General Guy Simonds, commander of II Canadian Corps in Northwest Europe, also adopted the black beret despite not having been an armoured officer.
Black Beret for Armoured Vehicle Crew
The beret wear a capbadge of the XII Manitoba Dragoons, 2nd Canadian Corps.
The beret wear a capbadge of the XII Manitoba Dragoons, 2nd Canadian Corps.
Khaki Beret for all ranks
The beret below if used by private Carpenter of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals
The beret below if used by private Carpenter of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals
Tam 'O Chanter for Scottish regiments
The balmoral below is of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.
The balmoral below is of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.