American Couple Reacts: Australia: Forgotten History! The Australian Slouch Hat! FIRST TIME REACTION

American Couple Reacts: Australia: Forgotten History! The Australian Slouch Hat! FIRST TIME REACTION! We first noticed the Aussie Slouch Hat during our video on the ANZACS. We instantly were drawn to them. We wanted to learn more about them as we love learning about military history. This was a much more in-depth video than we expected! So much more than just the Slouch Hats covered here! Even some American connections and history we weren't aware of! We hope you will enjoy this educational episode too. Thank you SO much for watching! If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our channel, it is the BEST way to support our channel and it's FREE! Also, please click the Like button. Thank you for your support! *More Links below...
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[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

We first noticed the Aussie Slouch Hat during our video on the ANZACS. We instantly were drawn to them. We wanted to learn more about them as we love learning about military history. This was a much more in-depth video than we expected! So much more than just the Slouch Hats covered here! Even some American connections and history we weren't aware of! We hope you will enjoy this educational episode too. Thank you SO much for watching! If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our channel, it is the BEST way to support our channel and it's FREE! Also, please click the Like button. Thank you for your support!

[@antheabrouwer3258]

Once again, you come up with a totally interesting Aussie video!! I did not know any of this!!

[@cherylgold8368]

hi Natasha & Debbie, just wondering if you would like Australian to watch some pure Australian satire at it's very best then please watch Clarke and Dawe "the front fell off the boat"......Australian humour at it's very best.....cheers, love your down to earth style....come visit you will both love this place.....

[@antheabrouwer3258]

@@cherylgold8368 This is an awesome piece of Aussie satire comedy!!

[@matthewcharles5867]

We have quite a few different versions of slouch hat worn by different regiment's or battalions. 6th lighthorse had wallaby fur hat bands. 2nd nsw mounted rifles had a black cock feathers. Queensland mounted infantry had emu plumes. We had a lot of mounted infantryman from the 1860s onwards. The boer war especially we sent more mounted infantryman than anything else. Beersheba in ww1 was probably the lighthorse at there best. Our lighthorse units started to mechanise in ww2 but units still operated in the Northern Territory and Syria during ww2. Our camel corp used them in ww1 as many men were ex lighthorsemen deemed a bit rough to keep in the lighthorse their hatbadge had a camel on it. They conducted long range desert patrols against the Turkish troops. Had lots of relatives in the lighthorse. I was in the reserves pbi ( poor bloody infantry)

[@warwicksanders8570]

Hi enjoyed a few if your videos from Melbourne. I thought you might be interested in a video suggestion of a 100 years of mateship youtube on the us Australian relationship of a 100 yrs . Australians always will have a cousin like relationship with the US and much owed in assistance in ww2 . Its long way but it would good too see more of you here. We speak the same language have similar way of life and values and of course your dollar buys 1.47 au Dollars. Keep up the good work 👍

[@99rakmakka]

Proud to have worn one for 38 years

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Thank you for your service 🫡

[@rodgerking1134]

Thank you for your service. Sounds like I'm kissing arse but I'm not. Just thankful.

[@Invictus357]

18 years for me. UBIQUE Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.

[@darneyoung537]

Thank you for your service of 18 years. I very much appreciate you and the now military service for looking after our country God Bless you all ❤🇦🇺🐨🐨🇦🇺❤️

[@Kili121416]

Well done that man.

[@TheMichaelStott]

Aussie Vet from 1 RAR here, correction/addition to some information. While all other units wear the Khaki coloured Puggaree with a Unit colour patch, the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) and the Corps of Staff Cadets are the only Army units who have different coloured Puggarees. 1 RAR wears a jungle green puggaree. It was introduced during the Battalion’s service in Malaya 1959-61. Unable to get puggarees from Australia for an official parade; the Battalion tailor, Mr. Mohavved Beseek used ‘bush shirts’ (common issue British field uniform at the time) to make new puggarees for the soldiers. After the battalion returned to Australia, the dark green puggaree was adopted for permanent use. Because the dark green puggaree is so distinctive, the battalion does not wear a colour patch on their Slouch Hats. Staff Cadets have an Olive Drab colour and has 8 folds not 7. Seven representing each state and one for one Territory, the eighth pleat signifies the graduation of the first international cadet through the Royal Military College who came from New Zealand. I was very Proud to be given my Green Pug when I was posted to 1 RAR just like Earning my "Skippy Badge" to be in the Royal Australian Regiment. Think of it like when a Marine earns their Eagle, Globe and Anchor; that level of feels 🥲.

[@beefa12]

Had the honour of wearing one for 27 years, still have it.

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Thank you for your service 🫡

[@tileux]

fun fact - when the Khaki Fur Felt - usually referred to as a KFF, not a "slouch hat" - is issued without shape. When you get it it looks ridiculous. You have to "bash" it into the regulation shape. Im embarrassed to say I cant clearly remember how thats done, even though Ive done it a few times (it was a long time ago). I remember it required a lot of water and - possibly - a bathtub. You use pegs and pieces of cardboard to get the regulation centre fold without leaving peg marks on the felt. You also get yelled at - a lot - because this is one of the first things you do in basic training (or in my day it was, anyway).

[@becs2635]

In kapooka they had "hat blocks" for bashing the KFF 1. soak the KFF in lots of water making sure its wet just on the crown 2, stretch it over the block and using your hands form it into sthe shape of the block. 3. remove carefully from the block and allow to dry on a flat surface (irons can be used very carefully)

[@2young2rocknroll]

I left mine with the tailor and got it back beaten into shape…… gotta love the Air Force..😂😂😂😂

[@kathrynmcintosh2726]

Hello from Perth Western Australia 🇦🇺🌏. The story of the australian war nurses is quite fascinating as well which was featured in the series Anzac Girls. Their stories are told by surviving diaries at the war memorial.

[@michaeljones-xt6su]

G'day from Ballajura Kathryn😁😁

[@AngeDownie]

where in WA are u?? im down in Mandurah

[@kathrynmcintosh2726]

Mandurah also

[@solreaver83]

in east timor when we were there in peace keeping duties the soldiers replacedd their combat helmets with their slouch hats. it made the soldiers and servicemen more friendly and approachable. I'm pretty sure the same has happened elsewhere also.

[@davemcqueen2023]

Thank you to all that have served our nation, you all have my utmost respect

[@ethanHEART1]

My brother is currently active with the Australian army and will be out of contact for about three months as far as we know. We received a photograph of him and his platoon with one of their trucks a few days ago. Seeing you thank everyone in service or for their past service brought many a tear to my eyes. I remember the day he day he graduated his basic training and I was able to see him wearing his slouch hat. I was so very proud of him and I still am. Thank you both so much for showing respect to the men and women that protect our country and our allies.

[@brad4268ify]

The Slouch hat KFF left side is up due to the Rifle and Bayonet and being in the left Arm.. Just a FyI - The Badge - The Rising Sun doesnt keep the Side up.. There a Small Square hook and a Male Pin that holds up the side

[@aussiepete9924]

Officially known as "Hat Khaki Fur Felt" in army speak. Mine finally gave up the ghost after 40 yrs so they are a damn good product. I was only a reservist back in the early 80s when we called ourselves weekend warriors. One night a week, 1 weekend a month, and a 2-week training camp per year, was the required attendance, mainly driving trucks around so it was more fun than fighting but it did give me 4 weeks extra paid leave from my regular job per year. Very good incentive at the time but I have no idea how it works now.

[@Invictus357]

In my unit, we use to call ourselves SAS…….Saturday and Sunday 😂

[@aussiepete9924]

@@Invictus357 Yep we all did back then as well.

[@vickitindall3081]

The slouch hat was the reason I could spot the Australian soldiers at King Charles’s coronation. That makes them easier to spot. The town down the road from me called Mudgeeraba (on the Gold Coast) is the the home base of the 14th Light Horse Regiment who wore the massive plumes of feathers in their slouch hats and were the main reason (in our eyes) as beating off the Germans under Rommel in Nth Africa in World War Two. You’re doing a great job girls.

[@cgkennedy]

The plumes of feathers I'm the slouch hats of the Light Horse are emu feathers.

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

Equally proud of the beret

[@roxannlegg750]

Brings the Redgums line "Theres me, in my Slouch Hat, my SLR and greens...(sic) I was only 19" to mind every time eh?

[@ianjackson1674]

I can only quote from the writing of that great man George MacDonal Fraser: Fourteenth Army’s distinguishing feature was the bush-hat, that magnificent Australian headgear with the rakish broad brim which shielded against rain and sun and was ideal for scooping water out of wells. In some ways it was a freak, in the steel-helmeted twentieth century, and it may have cost some lives under shell-fire, but we wouldn’t have swapped it. It looked good, it felt good; if you’d been able to boil water in it you wouldn’t have needed a hotel. Everyone carried a razor-blade tucked into the band, in case you were captured, in which event you might, presumably, cut your bonds, or decapitate your jailer by stages, or if the worst came to the worst and you were interrogated by Marshal Tojo in person, present a smart and soldierly appearance. Fraser, George MacDonald. Quartered Safe Out Here (p. 28). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition. It's a great pity that Geordie Macs' work on his experiences in Burman in World War 2 haven't been filmed, because you would find them fascinating. It is worth pointing out that Field Mrshall Slim and all his subordinate commanders wore the "bush" or Slouchhat, as did the majority of his British Forces and the Gurkhas in his army. Many Indian units of course had their own headgear.

[@leannejrobins]

My Father served in the second world war, and wore a slouch hat. A smaller version of the Rising Sun pin on the slouch hat, is used to pin down the collar points of the uniform jackets. I still have the pins.

[@danmc_2783]

My mother is the current steward of my great (x2 or 3? don't remember) uncle's slouch hat and it will eventually come to me/my sister and then her children. He served in the 4th Light Horse in WWI. Along with his service medals and the couple of photos we have of him they're some of my most cherished family heirlooms. I used to march wearing his medals in Anzac Day services for many years, a number of times getting to hold banners for regiments of veterans. I was a member of a youth group called the Australian Air League, kinda like an Air Force cadet-y thing. Like Scouts with planes lol. Some wonderful memories of listening to the old guy's stories and the cheers of the crowd as we marched through the streets of Sydney for the big Anzac Day march from the cenotaph in Martin Place to the War Memorial in Hyde Park in Sydney

[@jenlaw398]

So happy about this video. Pride fills my soul every time I see that hat!

[@jenlaw398]

You maybe interested in checking out another Australian military story about The Light Horse Brigade

[@flamestergirl]

3 Great Uncles and my Grandfather served some in the 1st world war and the 2nd world war, sadly only my Grandfather returned to us and we don't have any of their uniforms but I do have all their service medals. One Great uncle buried in Egypt another at Gallipoli and the 3rd in Thailand.

[@michaelfoster5577]

The narrator is correct in his description of the crown shown in the badge as a “St Edwards Crown”, however there is no such thing as a “Kings Crown”! Each monarch can select the crown they wish to use - this will be used in coinage, military badges and representations on postboxes. Charles III decided to use the “Tudor Crown” (like his grandfather George VI), but it is not always Kings that have used the Tudor Crown. Watch out for Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters!) uniforms and crowns on military cap badges changing to Tudor crowns. There is also a Scottish crown, used in ceremonies north of the border and taken to and from the opening of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood.

[@becs2635]

also the crowns on ceremonial swords

[@michaelfoster5577]

@@becs2635 I couldn’t find mine to check if it had a crown engraved!!

[@wezloop]

Always loved the slouch hat. The rising sun badge is both war-like and hopeful, in that it is an array of bayonets in the shape of a rising sun. I like to think there's something symbolic of the Australian character in that.

[@akasetkya6253]

ANZAC’s highly respected.

[@Danger_Mouse3619]

You should look at how an Akubra hat is made. You'll be surprised how much time and effort is done for this famous Australian hat.

[@jurgentreue1200]

In the early days, Akubra and the slouch hat was also responsible for keeping the Australian wild rabbit population down. Akubra now imports its rabbit pelts from Europe because the Australian wild rabbit population is in drastic decline thanks to Calicivirus.

[@S.M.E.A.C]

jurgentreue1200-Nothing to do with wild rabbits being killed by the virus. All KFF's have been made with domesticated production rabbits for the meat and pet food industry since WW II. The market for rabbit meat dropped off a cliff and cheaper protein substitutes are now used for pet food. The added costs of vaccinating domesticated production rabbits also made it unfeasible.

[@rodgerking1134]

There was much to learn. I honestly thought it was unique to us Aussies, now I know.

[@chriskelly3481]

I LOVE that you corrected his pronunciation of EMU! 😂❤👍

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

Thank you ladies so much for this. I come from a military background, my grandfather was in the Royal Australian Navy and was onboard a vessel torpedoed by Japanese forces during WW2. My father served in Vietnam and was gravely wounded there. I had a 35 year career in both military and law enforcement roles, I was stabbed, shot and beaten on many occasions. Good to see the iconic slouch hat get the respect it deserves. My one regret in life is that one time I took my father's school cadet corps slouch hat (from the 1940's) on a fishing trip. Weather got rough and we had some issues with the boat's engine. I was seasick for the first (and hopefully last) time in my life, hat went over the side and raced away in the tide. I was far too unwell to even suggest chasing it down! Never mind. At least I am still here. You are both beautiful human beings and I admire you both.

[@davidareeves]

A few years ago (now), I finally had a chance to meet my mother's side of the family and while reading the history book, found out I lost 4 great uncles in the Light horse charge on Beersheba. 4 brothers all died in the charge, luckily two others made it through, the other two got busted under age and denied going too. I had seen the movie as a kid and only a couple years earlier in 1987, The final charge in the movie gives me chills that a whole generation was nearly wiped out on my mum's side of the family and no matter when, once I see a Slouch Hat, I get this image in my head. To all who have served allow us to remember what is peace.

[@AustraliaTraveller]

We visited Boonah Queensland Australia last weekend for the Clydesdale Spectacular!! The Light horse there were wearing their Aussie slouch hats adorned with emu feathers & the show commentator told the story of Beersheba. Great Video Natasha and Debbie - we really enjoyed it!

[@vanessacare2615]

Thank you for another great video I learnt so much . Who would of thought learning about hats be so interesting can't wait for my next lesson with you both

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

So glad!

[@RobertLRudd]

I'm anaussie and learned a few things specially the folds in the headband standing for states etc thank you for that ladies!

[@rodgerking1134]

Thank you ladies, once again you have added to my limited knowledge. If you need content, you may wish to look up the story concerning Breaker Morant. A cult hero from the Boar War.

[@OSRgrumbler]

You might look into the story of Harry "The Breaker" Morant whose image appears at 14.50 in the video. He was an Englishman who served in the Bushveldt Carbineers during the Second Boer War. Interesting to see your reactions as always.

[@ashleybellofsydney]

Right side pinned up = active service. Left side pinned up = retired or discharged.

[@davidkettle9688]

The emu plumes are only used by the light. It was to show that they had the skill to pull it from emu while riding.

[@Reneesillycar74]

This was a really interesting video! I love the Slouch hat & how easy it is to distinguish from other military hats. My family members served in Africa, Egypt & the Mediterranean. My grandfather & great uncles served in WW2 & like many young men they were from the bush. My grandfather was a great horseman & served as a Light Horseman & a mechanic. Having grown up on a sheep & cattle property, our hats are part of our DNA & the Slouch is so iconic✌🏼

[@jdmanson54]

My maternal grandfather was a volunteer in WW1 who served from 1915 to 1918 at Gallipoli and in France. Because of his horse riding skills he became a driver - someone who looked after the horse team used to carry the ammunition boxes and small field guns (26 pounders etc). We have a photo of him wearing his uniform on his wedding day in 1917 while he was on leave from the war in England. My father was also in the Australian army and served in the Vietnam war in 1967 for 9 months. I was in the army cadets at school but never enlisted. My brother was in the Australian Navy for 6 years.

[@PeteV.53]

Thanks for searching out this video ladies. I'm an Aussie and I learned lots of new information 👍 Yes, the Rising Sun badge is still used to pin the Aussie slouch hat.

[@becs2635]

the rising sun does not pin up the brim of the hat, there is a small clip on the hat hat attaches to the a small square loop on the brim. the badge is pinned through the brim alone (as can be seen when the brim is worn down)

[@PeteV.53]

@@becs2635 you are, of course, right. I took the lazy, shorthand route with my response

[@pabmusic1]

'Khaki' is originally from the Urdu 'khak', or dust. It was gradually adopted by the British in India from about 1850.

[@katewall6023]

My maternal grandfather was in the Australian 2nd Light Horse Brigade during WW1 and was at Gallipoli and Egypt. He took his own horse over there, but the horse didnt come home. My paternal grandfather was in the Australian Tunneling Corp during WW1 and was based in Belgium and France. He was a miner by trade. My father was in the Australian Air Force during WW2, served in the Pacific Islands. My brother joined the Army when he was 18, served for 10 yrs. Also had 2 cousins that joined up as well. Currently my nephew is in the Air Force, has been for many years. I never joined, although I always wanted to. Too old now hahahaha .

[@brucelamberton8819]

My grandfather (maternal) was 2nd Light Horse at Gallipoli. He kept his slouch hat (with emu feather) to be a family heirloom but unfortunately it went missing many years ago.

[@micko11154]

In Australia and UK we traditionally pronounce 'khaki' as 'car-key'. I think you might find that THG is actually a Canadian. Cheers and thanks ladies, love your work!

[@DavidThomas-ke7ih]

I've still got my Slouch hat from my time in the army. There is a clip that on the brim that clips onto the side of the hat to hold it in position which on mine was brass that I had to polish. I served within the Royal Australian Regiment ( RAR ) and only time I wore my slouchy was formal parades as the infantry wore a green beret except for the 3rd Battalion which were the parachute regiment so they wore a maroon beret and even wore their beret on formal parades and is also the same for the Armoured Corp which wear a black Beret. You should look for the movie called The Light horse men about the charge of beersheba in WW1

[@paulblackburn5356]

Check out the battle of Beersheba. It was when the Australian Light Horse, with the emu feather, captured Beersheba off the Ottoman Turks. I've been told that it was the last successful cavalry charge in history. The Light Horse are mounted infantry. They travel in armoured vehicles these days. They would dismount and attack on foot. The Turkish army knew this and wouldn't open fire until after the dismount. At Beersheba, they didn't dismount and by the time the Turks worked out they weren't going to, they were nearly inside the closest range of the artillery.

[@michaeljones-xt6su]

Wish I could comment with a picture to show you my dad and his brothers and my mum's dad who served in both world wars.😊😊

[@Paldasan]

I'm glad you got to this video, I know I suggested it on your ANZAC reaction but not surprised it was missed with how popular your videos have become. THG does address his pronunciation of emu in the comments which was amusing to see. I guess other Aussies got a bit particular. He has a lot of videos now but his videos on Chocolate and Line Markings will always be a stand out for me and he has plenty on US history as well.

[@mickabikhair675]

A Famous and historical peice of history is The Australian Light Horse 🐎 in particular Beersheba, I won't share more but this is a must, you will enjoy especially after hearing your feelings about the uniforms, slouch hat etc.

[@Quasnob]

Definately

[@richardtravers8772]

They have a small clip that holds (clips) the left side of the brim up. Brilliant, when I was in we were issued the FN SLR and the rifle was held on your right side. The 303 drill had the rifle ending up on the left shoulder at the slope. Doing shoulder arms with a bayonet fitted with the SLR one needed to be careful one didn't put the bayonet through your brim.

[@miniveedub]

My husband was a Vietnam veteran. He didn’t bring his slouch hat home, it’s somewhere in the US because he swapped it for a US army camouflage poncho liner.

[@alangauld6079]

Not quite the same thing but I wear a wide-brimmed slouch hat when backpacking. It has pop studs on both sides so, depending on where the sun is, I have either the left or right side pinned up, or neither. The pinned-up side is slightly cooler(literally, less hot). My hat is also used as a water bucket (it's waterproof and holds about 2 litres/half a US gallon) and as a seat in damp conditions. But it is much lighter than these heavy felt hats that the military use. [I also used to have a plastic moulded Aussie-army hat for my Action Man doll (GI Joe in the US?) back in the '60s...]

[@adammuggleton4107]

I remember when I was about 12 when I stayed at my uncle’s place in the Adelaide Hills, would have been late 70s. Anyway, my cousin who was about 4 years older than me was off to attend the Australian Cadets. He looked so handsome, and was capped off with the classic Australian slouch hat.❤

[@SharonSmithAus]

That honestly was really interesting. My husband is ex-ADF my brother and brother-in-law both served in Vietnam and my Dad was a gunner in WWII. My hubby no longer has his slouch hat as he gave to my brother-in-law to give to the most oustanding recruit at Kapoeka (which is where our soldiers train on enlistment). When my brother-in-law and his chapter of the 173rd Airborne attachment from Vietnam (they were 1 RAR attached to try the American 173rd Airborne) (fairly complicated but the USA provided to the Airborne, the Aussies provided the Infantry and the Kiwis provided the Artillery to make up a full Brigade, as we call it First To Serve in Vietnam) were supporting new recruits.

[@SharonSmithAus]

I know that was a convoluted explanation. Could explain better not through KZbin comments.

[@becs2635]

the left side is clipped up. rifles used to be carried on the left side. only 1 was issued for dress or parade purposes but in the 80's the australian army issued a second for daily use instead of the "bush hat" used in viet nam . the second hat was worn with the brim worn flat. The puggaree (hat band) was generally khaki with 7 folds except for 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment which wore a green puggaree to denote its jungle status (long story) see the history of 1RAR. the unit badge (Skippy, in my case) is worn on the front (now, but used to be worn in place of the rising sun when I was in 1977-1983) The rising sun badge is worn on the left side of the brim (folded)

[@kennethfarrand-collins6405]

As always an interesting and informative video from you girls. A side note the Kiwi hat is called a Lemon Squeezer, re the look of the top of the hat. Learned a lot from this, thanks heaps, respect from Down Under.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Great video! I learned a lot about the slouchie from it, had no idea the history was so storied and stoked the US still issue them. Couple cool facts - The photo of the man from the Bushvelt Carbineers is "Breaker" Morant, very worth a look into! He is up there with Ned Kelly in lore and was part of a trial where upon Australians refused to be part of British units in WW1 given the outcome. Also the cool pic of all the Aussies you said "wow" to is some men of the AIF on the Great Pyrimid of Gaza prior to their deployment to Gallipoli in 1915. One of the men is dead, his mates thought it would be wrong for him to not be in the photo. I think he is somewhere top left and died from disease the day before.

[@ADEpoch]

I'm impressed that you know the correct pronounciation of emu. So, you should look up the Emu War. The Australian Army had it's moments... You asked if our families had served. My grandfather did. He didn't talk about it much. He didn't keep anything except his medals, so I don't have hit hat, unfortunately.

[@gamortie]

The History Guy is always well researched. My dad was in Vietnam as a National Service soldier (selective conscription), or “Nasho”, and spent his time in and around Nui Dat with 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; he wore this hat, a formal helmet with his bandsman’s uniform, and a jungle green bush hat in the field.

[@gamortie]

I forgot - he also wore a navy beret at some point

[@I.Lostalim]

Because you asked, I've seen photos and footage of my father wearing one in 1970, prior to his 1971 tour of Viet Nam. My maternal grandfather was in the RAAF, but well before they adopted it for ceremonial purposes, so he never owned one. To your question on the current hats - they are still pinned with the metal badge - the rising sun badge is projably the Australian Army's most recognised emblem. Side note: the seven folds representing our six states and federal territories is a theme also present on our flag with the seven pointed star.

[@fender282]

Always loved the slouch hat. My dad looked so handsome in his hat and uniform, Great vid...👍👍👍👍

[@travcat66]

My children’s great grandfather was in the British Army in WW1 and in the Australian Army in WW2. His memorial head stone is at Bomana war cemetery in New Guinea. Their grandfather served in the Australian Army in WW2 in Darwin, and their grandmother in the Australian Women’s Nursing Corp in Townsville. It is her father who is buried in New Guinea. Their uncle served in the Australian Army for over 20 years and my youngest son served in the Australian Army for four years.

[@RobB-vz2vo]

The badge is referred to as the General Service Badge in this video but is now in its 7th pattern and is now officially known as the Australian Army Badge. Everyone still refers to it as the Rising Sun Badge. Incidentally, the badge isn't a 'rising sun' but is a ‘Trophy-of-Arms’ comprised of mounted cut and thrust swords and triangular Martini-Henry bayonets that are arranged in a semi-circle around the Crown.

[@bluedog1052]

I served from 1995-2019 in the ARA (Australian Regular Army, RASigs). I still have my grade 1, but we were issued 2 slouchy's, a grade 1 which you kept in a hat block with the brim up, firm and pristine for parades and a grade 2 which was for 'normal' everyday use (if you weren't in a unit where normal daily headdress wasn't a beret, although being a ranga (hence the name tag lol) when in those units I was able to wear my slouch hat to be sun smart. Fun facts, preparing for a parade we'd spend days spit polishing our black boots to be all nice and shiny, polish our rolled brass, starch and iron f** out of our uniforms and yes, the down part of our slouch hat used to get an iron and starching too. These days, you can get high shine boots, so some furniture polish and a micro fibre cloth and they're done as well gold-plated brass so give them a quick polish and you're ready for a parade. To wear the slouch hat brim up, the general rule is 3, 2, 1. 3 fingers from the top of the left ear to base of the hat, 2 fingers above the left eyebrow and 1 index finger above your right eyebrow, no doubt your mates would help you if you looked like a cluster! lol

[@ront2424]

I remember the days of a tin of nugget and a bottle of braso two tubs of starch to get prepared for a parade.

[@2young2rocknroll]

I still have my RAAF slouch hat. The puggaree has a thin blue band on it to denote the Air Force. Wouldn’t part with it, love it.

[@andrewgeraghty7495]

It's not 'pinned' up, it's hooked up. Small rectangular brass loop, as I recall. I served in the infantry for 11 years [Reserve service]. So I was very pleased to oblige a politician to do something useful when I received the Australian Defence Medal, the first medal in our family since my grandfathers and uncles served in WW1 and WW2. The commentator was correct in saying that the pugaree has 7 pleats, 6 for the states and 1 for the territories. Most people, even Aussies, think we only have 2 territories, the NT and the ACT but we actually have 11 territories WIDELY spread. The shape of the top of the HKFF [hat, khaki, fur, felt] is a "bash" created by soaking the hat and moulding it to fit a wooden block inserted underneath. The Kiwi slouch once had a "lemon squeezer" bash but I don't know for sure if they still do. I think they do, with a scarlet pugaree.

[@ninamoores]

My father served in Burma with the Royal West African Frontier Force during WW2 and wore a slouch hat (one side pinned up) my brother wore it as a ‘cowboy’ hat when he was a little boy.

[@grandmothergoose]

My Grandfather wore one, pinned up, complete with emu feathers, as he was a Lighthorseman in WW1, was in Gallipoli and later Egypt. My son also wore one for a few years as an Australian Air Force Cadet, not pinned up and no emu feather. It's rare to find people owning one nowadays unless it was inherited and rather old, because they're part of military uniform, which is commissioned to each person and every uniform item is catalogued and needs to be returned once service has ended. In fact, it's a crime to not return them uniform items unless an item was somehow destroyed or irrevocably lost, though how viciously the ADF chases up every item of uniform I have no idea, but most people don't care to find out the answer to that question and just return their uniform items without any fuss. Except for socks, they're allowed to be kept, and my son still has his and I borrow them often in winter, they're really good quality.

[@scottbennier1335]

My Great Uncle served in the Boer War …… I never knew him but his name is on the Boer War Memorial outside of Government House in Adelaide. My Maternal Grandfather served 4 years in WWI and only got sent home when he was wounded for the third time and was no longer fit for active duty. My Father’s eldest brother served in WWII and his baby brother was a RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) in Vietnam. One of those photos of the Boer War is of “Breaker Morant” who is a whole other story……. a movie 🎥 starring Edward Woodward (an English Actor😡) ,was made of his sad story.

[@ianwilkinson8664]

Thank you for my mid-week fix. This was a very interesting and educational video.

[@Austtube]

Wow. Something I didn't know, and as a High School Cadet in the Australian school system, we did wear slouch hats. No one told us the history, we just wore them. It's good to learn something that even I didn't know, even my time in a company, a sub company of the Army reserves, yes, they call up high school cadets if our motherland is ever invaded and it was illegal to leave as we were legally in the army, even at 15 years old...

[@markduggan3451]

In Night at the Museum, Robin Williams, as Theodore Roosevelt, wore a Slouch hat.

[@michelletrudgill4573]

Great and interesting girlies, will watch it again later, love history my parents did as well and as kids would take us to many places of interest. I love learning with you both keep it up girlies xx

[@jennifer5130]

My Dad served in Darwin. The story he told was that he sold his hat to an American for 30 quid. A lot of money in those days. BTW Natasha, can't help but notice your tshirt. Pong is slang word for stink. Thanks for this video, I didn't know any of this stuff. ❤

[@monicaking2140]

Yes haven’t heard that in a while, but used it a lot as a kid :-).

[@roxannlegg750]

There could be nothing more iconically Australian than our Army slouch hat...something we as a people are so proud of when we see men wearing them! When ever you see combined united Allied forces overseas in groups, (and this is no shade on any other armys uniform) just from a pure style point of view, the wearing of the slouch hat just seems to make our Aussie soldiers just more friendly. As an army hat, it seems counter usefull, but as many conflicts are in remote and arid areas - the slouch hat is comfortable and just so ANZAC. Granted, special forces will be wearing more protective gear, however, I do have a military family, and we always see the slouch hat being synonymous with friendly protection, as well as being just totally comfortable and handsome.

[@Maxiakt]

Great video I learned a lot that I never knew, I have a slouch here tucked away in the cupboard. I love the history of them.

[@dannysullivan633]

At 0.51 the hat has the badge on the front of the royal Australian corp of transport.motto "Par Oneri" equel to the task.

[@karlbobthepirate5704]

Hi ledgends, I love watching your shows and really appreciate the interest you have in this world of ours, confederate slouch hat as seen on cpl Agarn of F troop, fort apache, always confused me as a kid. I just thought I would throw that out there, keep doing what you do coz you do it brilliantly ❤ 🇦🇺🏴‍☠️

[@gretacowie9330]

Thanks guys. I didn't know the history of the slouch hat even though I've lived in Australia for 72 years (80yo next month) and have done uni courses such as Australian Social History.

[@bigbad6983]

14:49 Breaker Morant. l'm ex - Army. The Slouch hat brim was pinned up during the day or on parade and unpinned at night or when deployed when l was serving.

[@ellefitzpatrick6339]

The things I’ve read about the feather it was called the Prince of Wales plume worn by the Light horsemen regiments. Not sure they were actually emu feathers, more likely ostrich.

[@stuwhiteman3810]

Early Australian slouch hats a very sought after in Australia by collectors because they are very rare the last two that came onto the market of World War One vintage sold for $9000 and $10,300 AUD, another one that was supposed to be from the camaliers that was suppose to be worn in Palestine during WW1 went for $11,000 AUD. Twenty years ago I was lucky to get a WW1 slouch hat for $2000 AUD because it was missing the leather sweat band inside which would have had the date stamped on it but it has all the signs of a WW1 slouch hat, if it has a WW1 date inside the price goes through the roof as mentioned above. This hat came from a deceased estate of the pre WW1 commander of the 9th Australian Light Horse. When I did some research he had two sons that served in WW1, so it has to belong to one of them. The Rising Sun badge on the side of the hat has changed slightly over time as the Kings Crown and the Queens Crown are different in shape so it will have to be changed again now we have a king. Not that I'm a royalist like most Aussies, we really don't care for that type of stuff. In fact it's not a rising sun it is bayonets arranged around the crown in a semi circle as in defense of the crown. During the Vietnam war the design changed to a Kangaroo over a Boomerang and was called the Skippy badge, then it went back to the Rising Sun badge (not sure why or when) but there ya go? I have an Australian soldiers SAS slouch hat from the Vietnam war that has no badge on it at all. The Vietcong said that the Australian SAS were the phantoms of the jungle, the Australian SAS didn't want anybody to know who they were, hence no badge to show who they were, interesting. What unit are you from? Nun of your business mate lol. The soldiers name and number are written inside the slouch hat so I'm not pulling your leg. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWSbmXp5g96khJo

[@malsm8892]

My father had one from his service in the XlV Army in Burma

[@ianmontgomery7534]

I remember watching F Troop and Cpl Agarn always had a hat turned up at the front.

[@kevo6190]

That was awesome! Thankyou for taking an interest in our little island down here (made me proud and I learned a lot). Cheers! 🤘🇦🇺🤠😎. Also our Australian light horsemen are totally worth looking into! Thanks again and keep up the good work. Much love from Straya

[@AMB3Rjade]

Great video ladies! Learnt all sorts of new facts! 💚💛💚💛💚

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@peterlinsley4287]

The Australian Army wears it in 2 styles 1. Grade 1 for dress and ceremonies brim folded and Rising Sun on the folded brim and Corp badge on the front. 2. Worn in Barracks Dress brim flat with Rising Sun removed. So if the hat is placed on the ground the Rising Sun is not in the dirt.

[@ZoeBrain]

I wore one in Cadets in the 70s. My son wore one in Cadets in the teens. I wore other uniforms too, RAAF and RAN, doing various jobs in the Cold War.

[@davidhyams2769]

Khaki is a loan word from the days of the British Raj (India). It's an Urdu word meaning soil-coloured or dusty.

[@billytoohey8887]

Love tThe History Guy. The Australian slouch hat is clipped up and can be easily worn with the brim down

[@patrussell8917]

Australian army slouch hat in WW1 used to be decorated with an emu (EE-MEW) feather This occurred during the workers strike in central Queensland when troopers were called in against riots and men were shooting emus for food at Capella a small town about 250 kms inland from my home town of Mackay Hope this helps your information

[@kramdoogs]

One of the photos from the Boar war was a picture of ‘Breaker Morant’ an Englishman who fought with Australian soldiers and a brilliant and well worth watching movie was made ‘Breaker Morant’ a 70’s movie with a stella cast and a true story.

[@knowEyeDeer]

Ex-adf here. Because the adf switched to a bull-pup rifle the slouch hat became a little less necessity and a bit more tradition. If you don't understand what I'm talking about, the magazine on a bull-pup loads behind the trigger which means that the barrel goes further back into the weapon than a m16 et al. rifle. That means that you're less able to strike your hat with the barrel. Although that risk is never removed entirely hence the need for drills.

[@knowEyeDeer]

I still have my slouch hat, it's not the sort of thing you disrespect here so mine is on my bookshelf. All I know is that certain other militaries that fought alongside the aussies asked to be issued a slouch hat because of their utility, and the reputation that the men wearing them had as fierce fighters.

[@michelleduncan36]

You want to watch a few movies of Aussies in the wars I suggest, Breaker Morant (Boer war), Gallipoli (ww1), odd angry shot (Vietnam) and my brother jack (I think ww2) and there maybe a film about Simpson and his donkey who as a quaker fulfilled his service by picking up wounded men from the battle fields to transport them back behind the lines for treatment. There are also a few films out there about the women who went over in a nursing role to look after the injured troops on the edges of the battle field.

[@johnfranke9655]

The rising sun badge is worn on all military slouch hat until a soldier is allocated to a corps, then the corps badge is worn to denote your field of service, infantry, artillery, engineers, cavalry etc

[@CQuinnLady]

My great grandfather fought in the boer war n when that finished he fought in WW1 for the british. The Boer war he was british militia. I spent 3 years in the early 80's with the army, I learnt in my time that the uniforms, the rifles, the ration packs were all surplus from the vietnam war. When i carried my rifle (7.62 SLR) I was holding history. That rifle had seen an horrific time so I gave it the respect that it deserved. I never saw war, I was lucky. Women at that time wernt allowed to serve on the front line no matter how well trained we were for it and I was in when there was a brief window of peace.

[@jennymaihall]

I’m from Australia and I knew nothing about the history of the Slouch Hat. Thanks for this info😊

[@matthewjh138]

we sadly dont have one but my Great grandfather fought in WW1. we still have a few of his things mainly his journal giving a first hand account.

[@tnytyson]

Ladies I love your channel. In search of knowledge. Slouch hat badge is rising sun. I am well interested with what you ladies do. Keep em coming. I am always learning. T from down under

[@brasschick4214]

The sun’s rays of the Rising Sun badge is represented by bayonets placed next to each other in a semi-circle. The HG channel is always good value.

[@Philipk65]

I had seen the history guys vid on the slouch hat before. I really liked the reaction video you ladies did on the video. Particularly Natasha nailing the History guys pronunciation on Emu, good on you Natasha. Talking about Emu's have you ladies done a video on the Emu war as yet?

[@SimonSmith-yd6tt]

My Uncle Victor (Vicky) was a Bombadier in the Chindits WW2 serving Ceylon (today Sri Lanka) and India, as well as Burma. He brought home his Khaki green slouch (right side press studed slouch) sand brown puggaree (sweat) band, and a very beautiful Japanese Officers sword set (both since his death donated to York Museum). The Chindits now there was a wild bunch mavericks of the 14th Army of whom Lord Mountbatten once joked "your not the forgotten army ....no ones even heard of you!" Meaning that the men belly aching that they rarely got a mention in the papers shouldnt wait to get famous but to go out and make their own fame.

[@GumnutLaneJewellery]

just so you know, we pronounce khaki as car-key! My grandfather served in WW2 and my father was in the Korean war. My brother scored all their medals and other paraphernalia! Both my grandfather and my father always marched in the Anzac parade!

[@doubledee9675]

That's the only way I've ever heard it pronounced before this video

[@GumnutLaneJewellery]

@@doubledee9675 All Americans pronounce it as cacky, don't ask me why! 🤪

[@doubledee9675]

@@GumnutLaneJewellery Thanks. It's not a word that gets used frequently, and I'd never heard it used by an American

[@GumnutLaneJewellery]

@@doubledee9675 I lived in the states for 2 years, so I heard them pronounce many words differently, some so weird I didn't know what they were saying lol cacky being just one of them!

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

People in Boston and a lot of the surrounding Massachusetts area pronounce it as in Australia. So no, not ALL Americans pronounce it the way we do. We pronounce most words phonetic. As there is no R in Khaki.

[@mikeythehat6693]

Yes the pin keeps it up. As with all felt hats though it will retain some shape if it is manipulated enough, but, generally speaking, the pin holds it up. I really like the version of the hat worn by the "Light Horse Regiment" because it has an Emu feather plume on one side. How Aussie is that? I'm surprised that you didn't give a shout out to the picture of Jessie James featured here at (5:40) But the most significant picture in this video, for me, is featured at (14:50) and is of the martyr for the cause Harry "Breaker" Morant who you could learn more about in the movie from the 1970's "Breaker Morant". In the city of Adelaide, one of the largest and certainly most prominent statues in the entire city is of him.

[@wilsonmurillopalacio6953]

Great as always, defenetly my IQ went up hahahahhhaha.Big hug from Spain.

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Excellent!