It Ain't Half Hot Mum

 

Lot 8.

This wonderful lot comprises a J. Compton Sons and Webb Limited of London pith helmet, bag and pair of garters.

Estimate £40 - £60.

For Auction 29th March.

J. Compton and Webb Limited, 1930-1978 manufacturers of Helmets and Uniforms.  John Compton founded the business after travelling to the Crimea to make tunics, coats and hats for the British Army Officers serving there.  Beginning in Swindon they moved to Hackney in 1922 renaming themselves as J. Compton Sons and Webb, employing over 5,000 people.  

Pith helmets are lightweight cloth-covered helmets made of sholapith (this is dried milky-white spongey plant matter).  Often worn by European travellers and explorers in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Tropics.  Routinely issued to European military personnel serving oversea in hot climates from the mid nineteenth to the mid twentieth century.