Boys' Historical Uniform Headgear: Pill Box Caps

Figure 1.--This English Boys Brigade group was photographed about 1930. Notice the characteristic pill box caps and the unit numbers on the caps.

Pillbox caps were worn by early Boys' Brigade units. This was not one of the most commonly worn styles. The Boys' Brigade was the only group that I know which used pillbox cap. This was in part because the Boys' Brigade was one of the few active groups at the time that this cap was stylish. It is today most associated will hotel bellcaps, but in the late 19th century was part if the British dress Army uniform, I think for enlisted men.

The Military

Like the pillbox caps worn by soldiers. The cap had the unit's number at the front. The pill box caps were only worn by the boys. Adult leaders wore Scottish Glencary caps--showing the organizations Scottish origins.

Chronology

The pillbox cap was adopted by the Boys' Brigade when units first began wearing uniforms. Brigade units were still wearing pill box caps in the early 1960s. Sure and Steadfast', the centenary history of the Boys' Brigade, tells us that pillbox caps were in use as late as 1970-71 'when it was replaced by a field service style of hat in blue terylene and cotton.

Other Uses

Americans will be most familiar with the pillbox caps as a style of late 19th century baseball caps--although with a peak. They were also worn by hotel bellhops.