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The Cap, Winter
 These are RFA personnel at Thiepval in Sept. 1916. This is the period of the waning use of the winter cap, but this photo shows the winter cap and its waterproof cover being worn in many ways. | With the advent of bad weather in the fall of 1914 the inadequacy of the issue OR's SD cap quickly became apparent. The issue cap wasn't very versatile. The cap comforter or balaclava cap couldn't be worn with it nor did it provide much cold weather protection in itself. Quickly a cap was designed that would provide this protection although at the expense of military appearance. |
Thus was born the cap that officially was known as the Cap, winter,
SD, but almost universally known as the "Gor Blimey"
cap. The first issue of this cap was authorized in GRO 377 27/11/1914
in the winter scale of issue. It was intended to be worn by troops
employed in active areas. Those in England were still mandated
to wear the SD cap, although issue of the winter cap was made
to those proceeding overseas.
This is a surviving example of the clasic winter cap as issied to a member of the "Buffs". Barely visible are two hooks that the soldier sewed to his cap to a fix a chinstrap, which was not issued with it. | 
This clearly shows the quilted lining made of shirt material. These caps were made for cold weather. The usual markings encountered were stamped in pink ink along with a war department acceptance stamp (both missing from this cap) |
Even troops assigned permanently to the Lines of Communication
in France were excluded its issue. These troops were to continue
to wear the SD cap. During the summer months the SD cap also remained
the official wear of all troops although the winter cap can be
seen in wear during the summer months. Its continued authorization
for wear in France was continued in GRO 1201, 11/10/15, which
called out the winter scale of issue for the winter of 15/16.
Its issue officially continued until the fall of 1916 when it
was officially abolished for wear and not mentioned in the amendments
to winter scale of issues of the spring of 17 GRO 2307.
This shows the protective neck flap lowered around the neck. Also the hook is much clearly seen here. Note the quilting stitch on the neck flap. | 
This shows the neck flap folded and stowed on top of the head. Note the wideness of the serge wool retaining loops. Narrow loops are a sure sign it's not an original cap. | |
The issue of this cap was very utilitarian and intended for functional
use. Its need was only superceded by the appearance of the steel
helmet. As the steel helmets issue became universal the issue
of the winter cap was discontinued. The winter caps issue never
became universal and can be seen worn side by side with the SD
cap. Its issue was also skewed to an extent; it was most commonly
worn by regulars and early territorials. Its issue to the New
Armies seems to have been sporadic, some units received them and
some did not. When the steel helmet was introduced a companion
cap was issued which became known as the Cap, soft, Service Dress
which replaced both the SD cap and winter cap for active use.
The Winter Cap:
This cap presented a very functional but un-military appearance.
I won't repeat the many stories about how it became known as the
"Gor Blimey", but its appearance was the reason.
This cap was a very functional design. It was made without the
rigid stiffening to the crown and included a non-rigid visor.
It was heavily padded in the crown and lined with quilted shirt
material. It had an external neck flap that when not in use folded
up onto the top of the crown. It was made of the same drab wool
as the rest of the SD uniform items and was issued with no chinstrap.
Waterproof cover:
The winter cap was always issued with a companion waterproof cover made of khaki oil dressed
cloth. This cover resembled the winter cap in that had an attached neck flap that tied up
to the crown when not in use. When the issue of the winter cap was discontinued the waterproof
cover continued to be issued with the Cap, Soft, SD, during the winter months
(GRO 2621 15/9/17). | 
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This is the waterproof cover being worn on the winter cap. It's being worn similarly to one of the RFA soldiers in the period photo with the winter cap neck flap on the outside of the waterproof cover. | 
This is the interior of the cover showing the War Department acceptance stamp. | |
WARNING TO COLLECTORS:
1. This cap is one of the most sought after items of Great War British
militaria and brings exorbitant prices. However, beware most encountered
on the market are 1920/30's theatrical. These are visually very
close to originals and very well made. Two things are the usual
give away to the theatrical makes.
2. In addition to theatrical caps, a rash of forged waterproof covers has started to appear. This author is a victim of one such cover that was seen previously in this article. The easiest way to tell a fake is the thickness of the cover. If it feels stiff and thick like it was made of WWII groundsheet material then its fake. Originals were made of thin cotton with a coating of rubber on the inside. Originals are extremely rare!!
About the author :
This articles was a contribution made for 'Before 1919' by
Joe Sweeney.
Joe can be contacted on the following e:mail address : 
A site devoted to Great War Militaria (WW1) and collectibles. We have many topics covering the following studies : World War 1 Steel Helmets, Spiked helmets, various headgear including peaked caps or képi 's , (schirmmütze), uniforms, gas mask, infantry troops and equipment , badges, Uniform and Equipment of many nations, including Germany, France, Belgium and the UK. We also have some links to reenactment groups.
