British Army Berets - Shaping & Wearing

[@DavidThompson-cg6hh]

I' m an ex angle iron, back in the day we wore blue beret, then changed to brown in the 80s. Hot and cold bath for beret, shape it, pack with newspaper, put in the airing cupboard, badge over left eye... never, mine was centred pulled down both sides, slightly longer to the right, some guys had badge almost over the left ear.great memories.

[@gunhojput]

Oh wow just like how i used to have mine and being the platoon signaller all the more easier to wear the ear pieces. great memories.

[@Wardog-rf1tx]

I served with the Calgary Highlanders (Canadian TA) in 1983-84, & 1991-1998, they are affiliated with the A&SH. They had both the Glengarry and the TOS. The glengarry was NO😊 shaping, brushed clean and ironed the tails, all done. TOS not sure if this ways British Army (BA) standard but you used a wire coat hanger, cut it down till it was slightly larger than the crown. You then put it inside and got the wire to the correct size you needed, wound the ends around the wire circle then replaced it inside the TOS. TOS on your head then you bent the wire circle to the appropriate “JAUNTY” angle required and job done. I started in Army Cadets in 1968 with the Royal Scots Greys (RSG). Fast forward to 2023 and I was going through my headdress box and realized that I did not have a RSG beret, ordered one from the RSG Regimental KitShop in UK, and found an old school RSG Cap badge (not plastic) in Calgary Alberta Canada, 3 hours down the road from BATUS. got it shaped and it’s been sitting on my bookcase since then as it looks GREAT, and I don’t want to squish it in the box with the rest of them lol. Lots of memories in that box (headdress and field caps).💂‍♂️🪖⛑️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇦

[@TomFynn]

During my days in the Bundeswehr as a W12 (Wehrdienst (Conscription) 12 Month), one day we were at "Morgenappell" and the Corporal or so in charge said "Wait here, I gotta check on something". So we stood there, unsupervised, and some bright spark (not me, more's the pity), said "Lets all put on our berets over the left ear." So we did, because, why wouldn't you. The corporal or so came back and - to pur surprise - said nothing. He marched out of out barracks and over to the T-Bereich (Technischer Bereich, with all the trucks and so). And no one, not even officers we passed, said anything. That was a demonstration of the Bundeswehr motto: "Egal wie, Hauptsache einheitlich." "Never mind how, main thing, it's uniformly."

[@fatmanfaffing4116]

Did the same thing once in the Australian army with our slouch hats (Hat, Khaki, Fur Felt). The troop sergeant ducked inside the duty room and I suggested we wear our hats backwards for a laugh. This means the side pinned up will be on the right instead of the left. Can't do it today as they have the corps badge on the front instead of the pinned up side. We did this and out comes the sergeant. You could see he felt something was wrong but couldn't put his finger on it. He marches us off and after about 50 m orders halt then comes up to me and, about a centimetre from my face says "Very funny Sapper Gamsby. Now fix your bloody hats you lot!" Luckily enough lads laughed so he took it ok but I still wonder how he knew it had been my idea... I guess my reputation preceeded me!

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

I would be very interested to hear more about your time in the Bundeswehr, your English is extremely good 👍 🇩🇪

[@TomFynn]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Thanks for the compliment. The whole stint was rather uneventful, but if it fits the video (and I can remember it), I'll keep em coming.

[@bugler75]

My brother had to have a Caubeen specifically made for him by a Pipe Band tailor. He had a 62 head. The RSM called him Subbutteo as he reckoned he had taken a Subbutteo cloth to wrap around his head !

[@andyisthebestest]

Signals badge was always a nightmare to line up the Jimmy and the crown!

[@thatf...inexplorer]

thats what the backing plate is for

[@campbellbrand8038]

Black cap badges in NI and on exercise and tactical environments. We did get issue semi plastic semi metal cap badges that broke quite easily so proper metal cap badges were bought. In Para Regt if you had a relative that fought at Arnhem you could wear a Kings crown cap badge. One of our guys turned up with one and the CSM asked him why. He replied that his dad fought at Arnhem, CSM duly impressed and that was that, or so we thought. That afternoon he was duly summoned for interview "sans cafe" and informed that being in the 11th SS Panzer Division did not count. His dad was a PoW at the end of WWII and spent time in the UK as his hometown was now in Russian held Germany and being ex SS he decided to stay in the UK. Smart move.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Mate what an awesome story, gleaming, thanks for sharing it 👍

[@jaegarfiftyeight8048]

Berets/shaping - great subject 👍🏻 #1. When was aged about 8, me fatha brought us home a pair of Kangol brand, khaki serge (the same as battle dress) berets to play with. He showed us how to size the leather band and to then tuck the tails into the band with a matchstick followed by shaping them with hot and cold water. #2. The berets that I wore initially in service had a leather or faux leather band, then a cloth band and then back to the former. We used to rip out the large plastic patch cos we were told it would make us go bald! (Didn’t work 🤣🤣🤣). After soaking and shaping we wore them during the day but at night, especially just before a drill and turn out parade we’d set them in shape on top of the Mk4 turtle tin hats! I suspect that the beret you have there Keith is a small crown version, easier to shape and most often used by officers whereas other ranks had the larger versions with a Swiss chalet overhang! 😆 #3. Our cap badges were mostly stay bright but joining as a ‘boy’ in 1974 I was one of a few who was lucky enough to be issued with the older ones with a brass centre and stay bright laurels. I still have it - 50 years almost to the day it was issued! #4. We were taught that with the first knuckle of the thumb on your eyebrow the tip of your thumb should be at the centre of your cap badge. I don’t know if that can be applied to all cap badges? #5. I’m a dinosaur with you then! The practice of wearing the cap badge between the eye and ear abhors me and some of the berets look like cow pats! Where is the pride and WTF are the NCOs/sergeant majors playing at! 😬😬😬

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Great comment thank you. I agree what are the SNCO' and especially the WO's doing?

[@stephenward3468]

We removed the inner lining and soaked the beret in water to soften it up then placed it on our heads when it is still wet and shaped it accordingly.We cut off the cord tassles as they look crap blowing in the wind.

[@davidstanley4348]

Great chat, we had the black berets until 76s which were great for a quick wipe over the old D.M.S boots, stag on all the 4s the pompadour.

[@fenwanderermiller]

Hey another pompadour 👍😎

[@fenwanderermiller]

8plt c coy 78-82

[@davidstanley4348]

@@fenwanderermiller 6 plt B coy 74-79

[@jfilm7466]

My kid and grandkids could shape their berets from the age of 7. One of my biggest annoyances in films is when soldiers have fresh out the bag unshaped berets 😂

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

🤣💯

[@patverum9051]

Very annoying that..worst offenders are African troops, even the rebels look like fools, some with wellies too.

[@stuartb4525]

So true about our headdress the Caubeen. Was a nightmare getting a decent shape to it, considering Caubeen is Irish for unshapable. We wet it like yours, and moulded it over our knee, then remoulded it on the head. Unfortunately, imo, it did look silly , when only one on a course for example.

[@crazycressy7986]

Our cadet one was black and proud to wear a back badge "Glosters"

[@sigurdivar4227]

This could be quite the challenge. I remember shaving my beret with a razor, to make the cloth a bit easier to shape, and to give the beret at more worn look. I even bought a packet of razors for new recruits so they could make a more decent headdress. So, remove the inside, shave the beret and wet it and roll it up. That would do the trick!

[@davidcarrington5654]

Another brilliant video! And still the best way to shape a beret properly.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you David much appreciated

[@Buckrogers8746]

Stay bright cap badge,, no way Sir, all brass with the Life Guards always has been always will be .. Stand too Sir 💪🏻💪🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@webmasterg3526]

Don't recall removing the lining, just used to soak them in hot water and then pack a small towel, or some such inside and tie around it to dry out. Always amused me to see TV shows with actors pretending to be squaddies with long hair and 'sprog' hats (flying wing berets). They just looked so daft. Thinking about it, I used to get a spare beret ready well before the current one expired as no one wanted to look like they'd just left Basic.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

I agree, who on earth was the military advisor for some of the TV and movies.

[@Martinthehun59]

Always makes me laugh watching war films, when all the actors wear berets like they're smuggling pork pies or something. "The Wild Geese" is a classic for that (great film all the same)...Keep 'em coming Keith !

[@copee2960]

Richard Burton's running...hhhaa ha ha ha....we always laughed as kids.

[@AnthonyMcCaul-c9g]

Over 40 years since i saw the inside of a military beret I spent two years in the reserve defence force of Ireland, 1982 to 1983, I remember some lads wore the beret like a helicopter landing pad, The recruits who were well turned out had a proper crease so that the beret hung down on one side, Thanks for the memories! 👍

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thanks all the best 👍

[@stevethorndale231]

RAF beret had two holes with eyelets side by side to fit the cap badge which had a brass back plate and a big brass split pin to fit it. In those days the same badge was used on the SD cap and forage cap which was an optional extra that had to be paid for.

[@johnnunn8688]

Now they have a cloth badge on the SD, looks bloody awful.

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

This is possibly a sign of the times, but when my father joined the Royal Marines in the 1960s they were expressly forbidden to shape their berets. This was considered ‘modifying your uniform’ which was an offence unless you were an officer, and could get you into a lot of trouble. He also told me that the practice of shaving the beret was also forbidden. I’ve seen photos of him back in the day. The beret sat in the correct position just by pulling it down to the right hand side. The berets back then were somewhat larger and were floppier on one side than they are now, which probably helped keep the shape. He had two cap badges - a dulled one for everyday use and a shiny one for dress. His beret was a very, very dark blue - almost black. He was politely asked to leave before passing out so he never got the Green beret (he had flat feet, was anaemia, couldn’t swim and was generally regarded as unsuitable. I can never figure out why they took him in the first place!)

[@level1804]

Had the blue NATO beret on for a few months. The thing never looked right and it was a standing joke of, “here’s the new guy”. You could tell a mile off, that people like me were on short term detachment, as opposed to the guys who were there a while, and had put in the time and effort to shape their head dress to a comfortable standard. A British forces beret is one of the greatest bargaining tools when working with foreign forces. 😊😊

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

They do seem to be a favourite with foreign troops wanting to swap

[@1337flite]

Its funny how you mention the way that guys wear berets now compared to earlier years. Here in Aussie it is the same with bush hats - the giggle hat - jungle hat (I'mnot sure what you Brits call them, a cotton short brimmed sun hat - I've seen them in DPM in the pics of Brits in the jungle). Anyway in Australia we call shaping a hat - beret, bush hat, slouch hat, kepi cap (not sure if they still have them) - bashing it. The pulled down side of a beret we call the bash, same with the crease down the middle of a slouch hat's crown - that's it's bash. Anyways because of our climate and usual area of operations we wear bush hats a lot in non ceremonial occaissions and they way people wear bush hats - even if you exclude the total outrages like turning up the brim at the front or the side - changes a lot. When I was a dcadet in the 80s and a digger in the 90s the fashion was to wear the bush hat with the crown tucked down and the back of the hat high so the front of the brim sort of covered your eyes a bit and the brim was flat - ironed and starched sometimes not wavy., Then a bit later the brims of the bush hats got wider - like a US "boonie" hat and the fashion was crown out, brim wavy looking like a tourist of a cricketers. Lately I've seen some really short brims - like a civvy "bucket hat" and the crown back in again. It's funny how that sort of things changes over time and how the way you wear you hat tells people if you are gung-ho/ally/gucci or if you're a "green" full regulations guy or a civvy in uniform for a couple of years guy (or gal). I was in the RAAC - we would never wear an issue beret - even in our intial employment training (trade trading). Pretty much the first thing we'd do is go to the corp shop and buy a beret. There was the more traditional looking Christie beret, lineds, leather band - like the ones in this video, or the Kent beret which had no lining and a kind of bias bdining tape band. I prefered the Kent because you could shape it better, tighter and because it was cooler without the lining. We'd do the US army style thing and got a bit of disposable PET drink bottle plastic and make a kind of shield shape and wear that behind the cap badge, which made the cap badge stand proud, while the rest of the beret could be moulded pretty tight to your head. We removed the ribbonm but had to have a bow, so we just cut off a few inches of ribbon, and sewed a bow from it, and sewed that on. I was in a Cavalry regiment (which at the time meant APC or reconaissance). The tankies in 1 Armoured Regt whio actuall had tanks - and lived in the colder part of the country invariably wore the Christies beret and had less extreme bash./moulding. I got rid of a lot of my Army gear, but I kept my beret, my kepi and my slouch hat. For the Aussie Army - and I gather the Brits hats are very improtant symbol of identity. I'd give a lot of my gear way when I was out, but not my hats. Even my nephew (I don't have my own kids) who is army barmy won't get my hat until I die.

[@donxz2555]

Like you I found that cutting out lining down to the head band (cotton on issued berets) - then a hot bath or two and worn damp to mould it to shape especially around the badge area (most had a hard backing piece on the inside) I was caught out and had my colleagues in stitches when issued with my beret in the FFL and automatically tried to shape my beret over my left eye however the lace ties at the rear were nearly dangling over my ear ! After 10 minutes of perplexing struggle it clicked - I was moulding it over the wrong eye ! Agree with you, seen some very sloppy beret wearing in recent years, it’s like some have no pride but SNCO’s are failing in installing some basic discipline (maybe not allowed in these modern times)

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

It's all slipping away sadly

[@thewesties8725]

I remember the stores Wo2 complain that my head was the biggest in the battalion & he had to send off a request to the Regiment headquarters 😂😂😂

[@mattg2575]

My unit had cloth cap badges! When ever I went out to other barracks, you'd catch someone giving you a second look and I'd have to quickly point at my rank slide before they chucked one up! I was a lance jack 🤘

[@Spireites72]

AAC berets were a nightmare to keep clean on exercise, I believe back in the day before kevlar helmets era. they used to substitute their oxford blue berets for black beret in the field.

[@mikeroberts3666]

Army Air Corps , light blue beret with dark blue square behind badge , on exercise the colours were reversed, dark blue beret, light blue square , ,( 1980s Germany, not sure it still happens), another great video Keith, tab on 👍

[@philiptaylor8790]

AAC blue. Perfect for airtechs. Following your example I got me a new one. And I will be wearing it. Looking at my old pics I either had a smaller head or the beret had more fabric.

[@rupertbare2023]

Back in the 1950s you used to sometimes see shrunk berets shaped equally down on both sides of the head, with the cap badge centred between the eyes. Especially in the corps (e.g. RASC), I recall. I wonder if this fashion developed from wearing radio headsets? Needless to say, most drill sergeants and WOs did not approve of such fashion choices on the parade ground!

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

I remember seeing a few berets shaped that way and yes it seemed to be lads in sigs roles.

[@Achilles22]

It amazes me how some actors on TV have their berets at all sorts of angles and with the tape hanging down the back!

[@redcat4323]

Kit inspection tommrow , saved my arse here mate

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

😂

[@kurtsteiner8384]

We have ferets in rn too. Metal with 2 loops and split pin. We usuall put two loops of cotton on the anchor to secure it to backing. Rn blue black unless, youve done comando course, then you can wear green like rm do

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Always a pleasure to hear from the Senior Service, thank you

[@IamMikeedude]

Ex-signals, I always remember this one occasion I had just brassoed my cap badge and no.2 lapel badges , we were called out for a quick parade for some rupert visiting us. And I had put on my lapel badge on my beret,even worse it was the one facing the opposite way, the RSM must have walked past me a dozen times before he noticed what was wrong,he wasnt a happy teddy but saw the funny side afterwards. One of the worst moments is when they say its time for you to get a new beret and you have to go and shape a new one.

[@TheJon2442]

I moved last October, I have yet to put the flagpoles up. His n hers.... Have to say in Bks I much preferred to wear side hats, especially when wearing tropical dress. However, i was compulsory transferred corps in the early 1990's. No longer permitted to wear side hats. And when i was promoted to WO1, we tended to not wear barrack dress so no khaki brown hat...

[@jimclavier5960]

In the 1950s it was the fashion to wear the beret with the badge dead centre over the forehead and pull the beret down equally to each side, if you could get away with it. I am sure this started with signalmen when wearing headphones, but it soon spread to everyone doing it. Personally I thought it looked ridiculous because this was the way schoolgirls wore their berets. I also dried my shrunken berets over a mess tin. I forget which size now, but one of them was the exact size as my head. 😮 The snag was it came out with corners but these soon disappeared with wear.

[@poulterbaz]

There is another reason not to bet the black leather band wet, the dye runs, some 20 years on still cannot get the black ring out of the wooden coffee table, weeks before the wife would talk to me again🤣Great video keith crack on, nearly 8000 subscribers now

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Cheers Baz. I did something similar when I left my beret on my car seat... 8000 subs (well almost) since I started in July last year!

[@linrepboras]

Did my military service -80/-81 in the Swedish marines and besides the attachement of the Posedion Trident on the beret (you stiched it on, needle and thread) we where thought to wet it down and roll it starting from your right side and let to dry. This ensured the correct shape.

[@johndickson7119]

I remember the Kangol ones issued to the RAF Regt in the 80's were pretty crap so most of us bought the leather banded ones ourselves & shaped them. Regt Officers wore a cloth/braid badge and the ranks had the usual staybrite issue although some lads got a hold of a brass one... As an aside most RAF REGT Gunners were always a bit hacked off we had to wear the same cap badge as the rest of the RAF, we thought we deserved our own. Especially the crossed rifles design that's synonymous with the Regiment. Keep up the good work Sir, always enjoy yer vids Per Ardua

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

John we had the old issue Kangol beret too, nasty things, purchased our own in the end. I also agree with your comment on the RAF Regiment lads having their own distinct cap badge.

[@idkgggggggggggggg]

I’m a PWRR Cadet and I’m just trying to get my beret perfect, thank you for this

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you Tiger 🐅 🫡🪖🇬🇧

[@idkgggggggggggggg]

@ 🫡

[@idkgggggggggggggg]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fd accidentally made it look like a US Army beret haha

[@paulappleby840]

Good memories, we used to steam them over the kettle, same thing I guess, great video sir, stay safe, and keep your powder dry. Paul.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Cheers Paul

[@dpjd575]

Prior to going to NI some RCT OR's were issued cloth cap badges . We then got saluted by the Inf OR's 😂😂

[@bigmartin]

I love that the Brits have different headdress and cap badges for the different units & corps, here in Ireland we’ve a black baret or a Glen Garry for the Cav units, and that’s it (sorry, MP’s wear read).. but the army is 99% black & we all have the same cap badge

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Cheers Martin 🍻

[@gunhojput]

Hey Tab thanks for the video great stuff especially as i have just bought mysel my old regiments Rgj beret and badge and reminding me how to properly shape one is great information, i have one question however and that is i see you in your videos walking around with beret and badge now when i left the army i was told i could not keep my beret neither could i wear it in civvie street once discharged have things changed since the late 80s ie can one get away with wearing beret and badge these days, keep em coming tab this light bob loves the vids. love to all brit squaddies.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you and your more than welcome. Yes you can wear your beret and anytime you wish to. I wear mine while making my silly videos but wear it during any charity fundraising event all through. Good luck 👍

[@gunhojput]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Thanks for clearing that one up tab i cant wait to shape mine as i used to have it and once again don my proud hat whilst walking me dog and wotnot, btw i like many others love your channel because it brings together us old school buggers and sharing stories like dozing off on the back of a chieftain tank whilst travelling. lol oh the laughs and have you done one yet on the rsm's and yes i know they all have the same name

[@DiyMech]

I'm guessing the next vid will be you dangling a No 2 issue tie (wet), weighted by an issue waterbottle (filled) and finished off by scraping it with a razor blade !!??🤣🤣🤣, keep up the excellent vids.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

👍🤣🤣🤣

[@DM-wf3rp]

Having worn a Tam O Shanter (TOS) for years we all had our TOS's made by the battalion taylor (for a payment) as the issued ones were horrendous with huge crowns, these were known as do landers (ie pigeon landers) These would also identify the wearer as a brand new recruit just out of training.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Great comment thank you

[@jimmyjohnson7027]

I always got a beret that was one size too small. I cut out the cotton lining and then chucked it in boiling water for a few minutes. Bang it my melon with the the cap badge in, minus hackle, and just leave it there for about an hour. I would also use a backing plate for the cap badge as ours doesn't have the slidy thing on the back. The Caubeen is based on a traditional Irish peasant's hat, apparently.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

👍💯

[@Closedgroove]

You can buy small crown berets now.....no heli landing pad!!😂

[@bugler75]

‘58 Pattern Sleeping Bag 😂😂😂😂😂 That was very funny! The Caubeen isn’t a beret and isn’t meant to be worn like one. However , the cap badge is supposed to be worn over the left eye. That is the only stipulation in dress regs. Caubeen comes from the old Irish for a shapeless hat. Folk often think it’s geeen for the Irish. It’s actually not. The green colour comes from the Rifle Green of the Royal Ulster Rifles and the green hackle from the Royal Irish Fusiliers, two antecedent Regiments. The London Irish Rifles (I’m not sure what they’re called now) and the Irish Guards Pipers wear a Caubeen too but with the cap badge over the right eye. It looks bizarre! The London Irish were the first to wear a Caubeen (as one of the Rifle Volunteers in the Victorian period) but couldn’t aim their rifle as the excess material blocked their sight picture. So they swapped the badge to the other side from standard. When the Irish Guards were formed (Queen Victoria, upon learning about the bravery of her loyal Irish Soldiers in the Boer War, demanded to know why she had no Irish Guards) it was the London Irish Piper Band that trained the Irish Guards Pipes and Drums and the Micks kept the arse-about-face headdress ! When the Royal Irish were first posted to the newly formed 16 (Air Assault) Brigade (around 2003? From memory ?) we famously declined wearing the maroon beret of the Airborne Forces and kept the Caubeen. Some Generals´ noses were put out of joint but the Toms appreciated it. I know it’s the wings that denote an operational fighting Para but in 16 Bde everyone was supposed to wear the maroon beret.

[@MrSteve_Luddite.]

"faugh a ballagh" 👍

[@bugler75]

@@MrSteve_Luddite. 😊 Faugh a Ballagh ! 👍🏼

[@siroyal2040]

When I am down and I need a laugh I watch your videos brilliant (58 sleeping bag) 😂😂😂😂😂

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Glad I'm of some use as an old dinosaur 🦕 😅

[@PhilipFranklin-j7o]

Couldn't shrink mine that much as i was a size 62.......a lot of material ! I wasn't nicknamed fußball kopf for nothing 😩

[@simonrobson2293]

Had a neighbour who was an actor hes been in films etc,he had to wear a beret for a film and the first thing i did was explain how ex forces,laugh at the way people wear berets on films,so i explained how he needs to shape it properly,well i explained a few times,next time i saw him in a film he was wearing a woolly hat it was an action film,so i didnt get to see my advice on screen,i did live in hampstead,in london,the place was full of actors and artists

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

great story Is, thanks mate

[@SkorpionFlux]

@LetsTab59 - I have been in a couple of regiments and had to shape berets, honestly a pain in the butt. I believe the silk lined are for officers or maybe just a jazzy version by new suppliers. How about body armour as a topic?

[@paulbennie5690]

From my time in the RMP I remember we all bought brass cap badges, and rubbed them down with emery paper and brasso to make the crown smooth and the writing look worn out. We used a cut out of plastic aerosol tops to ‘back’ the cap badge inside the beret. It was also cool to shape a little roof over the cap badge. Happy days.

[@robslade2571]

One but of advice I would offer . If your regiment of corps has both a plastic and metal cap badge. But a metal one. They look loads better.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

👍

[@peterbrown1012]

We had to tie the ribbon into a bow and sew it down. We just washed the beret in hot water, shape to and wear it untill it dried. We never tucked it under theshoulder straps like you see in films, or put it in your pocket as it would misshape. If our cap badge was not diectly over your left eye you would be in trouble, now as you say, its drifting further and further towards the left ear.

[@harrymonti6586]

Another memory inducing video mate, nice one!! I remember when I joined 40 Fld Regt RA after Basic Training it seemed that nobody was wearing their beret according to we'd just been taught. There was ppl who wore their beret "Para" style (I became one) others in a Tankie style (badge in line with nose and pulled down on both sides to accommodate headphones us armoured troops used in vehicles) and various less known but different to what we were taught in training. Anyone who wore their beret helicopter landing pad style was soon shamed into sorting out their headgear. Lol.. Remember films like Wild Geese and its ilk with the likes of Roger Moore playing ex British super soldiers but wearing berets that looked more special needs than special forces. Frank Spencer specials we called em. Funny what grinds your gears but ppl especially Rupert's who tucked their trousers into their Puttees instead of using trouser elastics used to get right up my hooter... Weird eh? Lol. Keep up the good work my friend 👍

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Cracking comment Harry, I remember the movie lol

[@harrymonti6586]

Dunno about any of you other veterans but when I watch films that claim to be just like the real thing with advice from ex soldiers and 1st thing you see is massive unshaped berets that no self respecting squaddie would wear kills the moment, small basic details. Advice from NAAFI Barflys and Blanket Stackers I guess? Showing my age Blanket Stackers probably Duvet Stackers in the 2000s.. if I was Roger Moore playing a beret wearing soldier character looking at a group of soldiers wearing their shaped berets then it would have prevented him looking like a c**t eh? Get a lackey to shape the beret.. Pay me enough Hollywood I'll be your Beret Shaper to the Stars.....Taxi!!

[@SpookEOD]

When I started training and was first issued my kit, I started shaping my beret that night. Being an issue beret it was fecking horrendous and was pretty much a massive sponge on my head. The next day on first parade I could feel the band tightening around my head as it was still damp from the previous night and the running about we were doing prior to parade had me sweating as well. There is was with the rest of the troop praying for the Cpls and Sgt to hurry the feck up and get us moving so I could at least have a chance to move it up slightly and relieve the pressure. It felt like ages we were stood there at attention and I was wiggling like my toes like my life depended on it and still I could feel me getting dizzier and dizzier. Eventually the Troop Sgt gave us a left turn and the last thing I remember was him saying “STABs and cadets to the front” before I decided to meet the pavement. Needless to say I got pulled off to the side, the troop went off wherever the lesson was and the Troop Sgt was asking me “What the feck happened”. After telling him and stretching my beret band a bit I was back on my way to rejoin the troop. Very 1st parade in green kit and I imitate a guardsman at trooping the colour after a night on the raz🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Steve I can sympathise with you on this one as I had a similar experience with wearing an ill fitting combat helmet when we were first issued with them.

[@matthewlawrence1938]

when i joined JLRRA it was bang on cap badge over left eye , but we used to see lot of the staff the drivers with the cap badge around to the left ear { apparently } this denoted that you was a driver in the Royal Artillery....lol lol lol .

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

💯🤣👍

[@jamesross1799]

Interesting stuff. When i look at old pictures of my grandad in ww2 the main difference is the size of the crown of the beret they were huge compared to the modern style of wearing a beret .

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

👍

[@stevemercer5769]

Had to replace my beret when I got promoted to WO1 because in the RAMC officers and WO1’s wear a cloth badge. I still wear it now some 30 years later, but that expensive leather banded, silk lined one has never quite fit and shaped like the crappy issues one in got in 1976😂 I went through all the same steps for shrinking and shaping, even forgot I was wearing it and went to the local supermarket with it on 🤪. It still needs reshaping before every parade or remembrance event, cheaper sometimes is better🤷‍♂️

[@campbellbrand8038]

The army issue berets were horrible and difficult to shape well. 99.9% of the guys used to buy berets from Victors in Aldershot, sadly long gone. Superb berets that took a shape well and held it. Leather band and you could also get a ready made bow for the back. Para Regt cap badges came either with the stick at the back or with a small ring on the back of each wing held in with a pin. Most of the guys used to take the lining out, as it helped in the shaping.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

👍💯

[@3628ranger]

The Rangers had 2 Caubeens, a serge material for working dress and a superfine for number 2 dress, some weird and wonderful shapes normally weeded out by the CSM

[@petersmithm9]

Had 1 lad with us who looked as if he hadn't shrunk his. Somebody ended up painting what looked like a helicopter landing pad on it and sticking an Airfix helicopter on it. The rim was meant to be 1" above the eyebrow and the RTR used to try wearing the badge between the eyes with the surplus material over both ears.

[@pjmoseley243]

Some of us would shave our beret to make it thin for shaping. make a separate bow and sow it back on the leather band. We were J/Ldrs and liked to look like old soldiers.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

🫡👍

[@Greenie4895]

The Royal Marines have the two holed lugs, with the split pin, which is very heavy after holding it at arms length palm up. Another introduction to being a bootneck was the act of 'cap badging'. Slaping the badge leaving the wearer with two sore red indentations in the forehead. Oh the joys

[@matjordan4848]

The UN berets we were issued for one trip were a pain with a really big crown. Even after shrinking it still came down almost to the bottom of my right ear. And they don't have proper beret badges just a pin-on one (the officers had sewn on wire badges) so it was tricky getting it straight and getting a good shape. We tried bits of cardboard at the back for stiffness but I don't think we ever got them looking good. It's probably still in the loft somewhere if it hasn't been eaten by moths.

[@allanlambie]

Your meant to stand under it lad , not by the side of it lad 🤣

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

😂an oldie but a goodie 😂

[@michaelmewis4761]

I was Royal Artillery' and a 'Tankie' went very nice with my cap badge. However, I was always getting bollocked by senior NCO's, "Gunner! No Tankies!" 😂

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

👍🤣

[@22IDOWILIER]

Brings back memories... I think i had the biggest Elephants ear going! Couldn't shrink it for love nor money 😆

[@SimonFlax]

Good video sir thanks

[@philhunter9158]

Had a Grenade with the backing plate, if you didn't have the back plate, the Company Sergeant Major would bang the Grenade with the plam of his hand leaving two nice dents in your forehead. Also if you removed the inner , you would be charged with defacing or damaging military issued kit.

[@jfilm7466]

I remember Colour gave one bloke a huge bollocking when he turned up with his beret like a flat cap and his cap badge by his ear 😂

[@GavTatu]

these days, it seems all the rage !

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

😆 🤣

[@danielmalthouse4429]

Another Brilliant video Cheers

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chucky2316]

Youre beret always look neat

[@gunner678]

Over here of course, their berets are back asswards. The alpine regiments also wear 'la tarte' bloody great pizza rather than a tart 😂, certainly not a beret. Still have my beret. I wear it when I'm reading out on the balcony 😊. Folically challenged, stops the sun burn.

[@hawkeye6135]

Was a "Grenade Fired Proper", highly polished with brasso & a toothbrush to get into the flames, backed with a backing plate (self made.. lid from tin of salmon!!), 2 holes drilled for split pin lugs, then smashed & shaped to enhance the cap badge. Worn directly over left eye (not hanging below beret band level), beret band straight across forehead & one finger width above eyebrows, excess material pulled & shaped down to the right hand side & not to go past the tip of the right ear.. I'm in Australia now for last 24 years & back then we were regarded as the best at wearing a Beret.. these days we have become a joke as these standards have gone.. now they wear it any which way they want, ranging from looking like a baggy cap to a flat cap even 'Andy Capp' would be embarrassed to wear!!

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Standards have slipped somewhat I agree 👍

[@jonbritland8389]

My mate was in the Glousters believe or not the had 2 cap badges front and rear!

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Yes I remember the Glorious Gloucesters having front and back cap badges, something to do with them being surrounded I believe?

[@harrymonti6586]

I remember ppl saying they had 2 cap badges so they could run away without the enemy realising, bit of a nasty undeserved bit of p***taking, but standard 70s Army stuff I guess.. lol

[@bouse23]

We were told to fold them a particular way and stick them under the mattress and after a week or so they were shaped...

[@siroyal2040]

Good video once more keep well you 2 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Intel3]

Sergeant Major let me shape yours!!! 😂

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

More than welcome 🫡

[@thatf...inexplorer]

is that the 4 training div logo on that coaster i see

[@mikeplatts2603]

Silk lining and bows, my how things have changed since the early 70's ? used to see some amazing sights, dinner plates and Jewish Skullcaps come to mind🤣🤣

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

I don't think the silk lining berets were ever issued to OR's, I think they may have been Officer issued however I do know that lots of lads privately purchased them through military surplus stores.

[@mikeplatts2603]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fd I am sure you are correct I dont ever remember seeing one.keep up the great work.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

@mikeplatts2603 thanks for your support Mike, much appreciated

[@hughsmith9401]

a other head dress was the glengarry jock reg which i served in the reason for the ribbons on the glengarry at the back CSM NIGHT MARE ON INSPECTION 🤣 was it represented when soldiers had long hair tied back in a bow English reg did ware them as well bugle boys back in the day we had the tam o Shanta which we ironed back in the eighties our SNCOs WELL WO2 WO1 AND OFFICERS WORE A GREY TOS different material i thought quit smart 👍

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

👍

[@Sammy.LJ5861]

Berets are best shaped in the rain 😂👌

[@harryfaber]

Range days!

[@Sammy.LJ5861]

Castle Martin has the best beret shaping conditions I’ve seen 😂. Even the trees are shaped over to one side

[@Otacatapetl]

My brother was a tankie, and I remember they shaped their berets down both sides with the cap badge in the middle, so they could wear headphones. I don't know if it was official but it was definitely allowed as they all did it.

[@gunhojput]

a lot of us riflemen signallers did it too unofficial like and many an officer tried to corrrect me on the correct way to wear a badge over left eye and it always always crept back to the middle in the end they gave up yay!

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Many Tankies did and so did Many Signallers too. I think troops seem to always wear combat helmets now and maybe the headsets are different?

[@Otacatapetl]

@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Yeah, I've seen helmets that seem to be shaped to accommodate phones. Or maybe they're built in?

[@redcap774]

RMP feb 1955 four weeks basic issued black beret, after basic issued SD cap, jacket sleaves ironed to form pleat, anything such as weights in trouser bottems were forbidden, red berets were not issued in my three year service, always SD CAP with red top, I aquired Red Beret when I was member RMPA Colchester Branch.

[@jamiewintrup4766]

Hello from Victoria, BC, Canada! I really enjoy your channel! Great work, please do keep it up! I was in the PPCLI for years, and I'm now looking for a new beret, Rifle green. We used to be able to private purchase what we called "Pakistani Berets" as they were made in Pakistan, and were amazing to form and wear. As I now need a new beret, I'm wondering if you have any beret merchants to suggest? Thanks again for all your awesome work and stories! Cheers and Regards-JHW

[@sandyjack1901]

After 50+ years of residing in a cupboard the headband seems to have shrunk (or indeed my head has grown bigger) Any ideas how to stretch the leather headband ?

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Could just need gentle stretching if that doesn't work your best bet would be to purchase a new one.

[@leeshoesmith3286]

My old SSM to a new guy "what album are you trying to smuggle onto my parade?"

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

🤣👍

[@chrissysaunders8053]

Para reg berets look like flat caps, it's an ally thing👌😉

[@kennymcewan7281]

Supposed to be above left eye about 1 or 2 inches can't remember but when a done p coy badge went round towards left ear 😂😂

[@davidthefirst6195]

Has that helicopter landing pad been weeeeed? What's that corporal, takes of head shouts weeeeed as if flies through the air

[@redjacc7581]

So..........................why dont these different military units just have headwear that actually fits the individuals with cap badges already in place? You dont get issued a uniform or combats that you have to shrink?

[@patrickbeecroft5423]

thank's alot for that keith,very interesting,in my day,it was 2 fingers above the eye brow,and had to have a bow on the back.

[@jfilm7466]

I'm swapping my cap badge from Silver Staybright to adonised black.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Always was handy to have one of each

[@FreyaViking]

I'm back keith.. let's tab!!

[@jfilm7466]

What about the finger indents. Can't remember what they are called.

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

Me neither

[@nobby3542]

Great video, buddy.👍👍 My first posting from depot was Tidworth. The Royal Irish Rangers were stationed there. I was informed by our Corporal Metalsmith (Doc Syson) that their headdress was an "1157 kitbag". They didnt have a large pack as we did on our 58 pattern webbing. They carried it on their head!😂😂😂 Luckily enough for me, I'd been an Army Cadet for 5 years before joining up, so i didn't fall for it!👍 Some berets i have seen during cadets, serving and since discharge. You could land a Chinook on them! 'Ruperts' especially.😉👍😂😂😂😂 Keep up with yhe videos, buddy. As you always say "Till the next time. Lets TAB"👍👍👍

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

🤣🤣🤣 at 1157 kit bag nice one Nobby 👍 Lets Tab

[@BBGreene-203]

You swerved the army dentist!……so did i lol

[@LetsTab59-bd4fd]

I wasn't so bad when serving, I've been unable to get a dentist since I left the army in 2015. I've moved location 3 times, can't afford to go private. Painful sometimes

[@georgeatkinson759]

Thank fuck I was court martialled before I went bald...always rip the plastic out of the Kangol lining...63 years old now and a beautiful head of white hair..no squaddie bald patch like Cadfael...