Australian Dress Register

The sun helmet is in its original condition and made from materials currently in use in India in the late 19th century. The shola-pith material could be soaked in water to keep the wearer's head cool in hot weather. Later versions used cork as the main construction. It is therefore a rare example of colonial headgear used in wartime.

The historic significance of the object relates to the ownership by John Wardrobe, a one time Alderman of the inaugural Picton Shire Council, and local businessman and his commendable wartime service in South Africa.

John Wardrobe was born in Durham, England, in 1865. He migrated when he was 17 on the "Peterborough" in 1880 and went to Picton to work on the railway and married Eliza Cracknell. They opened The Upper Picton Stores in 1892 selling drapery, groceries and ironmongery and produce in a building owned by Eliza's father. John became very active in civic affairs and was elected Alderman when Picton was declared a borough in 1895. In that year he joined the Picton Half Company of Mounted Rifles and served as a corporal with them in South Africa. He was promoted to Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant and then Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.

Author: Doreen Lyon, July 2nd 2012.

Lightweight Sun helmet with front peak formed from woven pith(Aeschynomene aspera or sola, an Indian swamp plant) covered by cotton bast and finished with white cotton drill.

Interior lined in green cotton.

Associated with British & French and other European colonial powers during the late 19th and early 20th century, for soldiers serving in hot and sunny climates. Also used by Governors and diplomats as part of ceremonial uniforms, sometimes with a swan feather plume attached.