#17th lancers

The pith helmet is a light, but firm, piece of protective head-wear made out of cork or pith from the sola plant covered in cloth. The helmet does little to protect a soldier from incoming projectiles, but does a great deal to keep the sun off his scalp, face, and neck. The top example is a Wolseley pattern helmet, as worn by the 17th Lancers during the Boer Wars. The cap badge reads “For Glory.” The bottom example is more modern. It is of French design, copied by the N.V.A. It’s a more practical design, truth be told, thanks to its wider brim and ventalation button at the peak.

All That Was Left Of Them, by Richard Caton Woodville. The painting depicts C Squadron of the 17th Lancers at Modderfontein in the Second Boer War. A lovely painting from a singularly unlovely war.