Casgliadau Arlein

Welch Regiment cap worn by Corporal Charles H. R. Whitehorn (1889-1974) during the First World War. He was a Londoner who enlisted with the Welsh Regiment and fought at the Battle of the Marne.

Peaked military cap; crown, side band and peak all made from khaki-coloured twill-woven wool. Top of crown is nearly circular (L25cm x W24cm), sides of crown made up of 4 sections with two brown-lacquered metal grommets on both sides (one on either side of the side seam). The crown sits on top of a 4cm wide band. At the front is an angled peak/visor; band and visor have parallel horizontal lines of quilting, presumably holding a stiff interlining in place.

Metal cap badge of the Welch Regiment at centre front, consisting of the Prince of Wales plumes, crown 'ICH DIEN' motto and 'THE WELSH' written on a banner underneath; the badge is held in place by a 0.5cm wide/3.5cm long metal clip that extends from the badge and is pushed through to the inside of the cap (at interface between lower crown and side band).

Inside of cap is lined with a loose weave cellulosic fabric that has a black/brown coating. The upper part of the crown has been reinforced by placing tissue paper and a white paper plate inside. This also serves to protect the black coating which has started to fragment. The coating is in better condition along the side band.

There is a thin leather chin strap which is fastened to a domed copper alloy button embossed with the Royal Coat of Arms on either side of the hat (button is missing on the PL side); Instead of fastening onto the button, the strap had been stitched to the PL side but was only just barely attached and has subsequently become detached; each end of the strap is turned back and is secured by a metal rivet; each end also feeds through small white metal slider buckles that enable adjustment.

All machine stitched, apart from buttons.