Bush hat : Malay Regiment

Green cotton bush hat manufactured for Malayan Army units in the 1950s. The hat resembles the standard British/Australian Army issue bush hat, but has quilted padding in the crown to protect the wearer's head from thorns. The brim originally contained flexible wire, enabling it to be bent into the shape required by the wearer, but this has been removed. The hat has six brass ventilation eyelets below the crown and a band stitched above the brim for the insertion of camouflage materials. Ink markings inside the crown do not relate to military service.

Malayan Army bush hat collected and worn by 235080 Robert John Fletcher. Bob Fletcher was born at Cowra in 1932, and entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in February 1951. He graduated in December 1954, and served with 2 RAR in Malaya between 1955 and 1957 as a lieutenant commanding rifle and mortar platoons. The wire inside the brim of the hat was removed by Lt Fletcher, as it was rusting.