Shared Photo: Eric Gill Image 1

Question

I wanted to share this photo of Eric Gill with the community. Probably England, some time before D-Day.  How did he keep his hat on?

His profile needs some love
Click here for the image details page or here for the full-sized version (620 x 387).

Answer 1

I think the hat stays because it’s sitting on his right ear. Kind of a rakish set to it, don’t you think?  I’d love to take on his profile, but I’ve got too many irons in the fire right now. Hope someone takes him up.

Answer 2

Handsome fellow! Thanks for sharing and helping keep his memory alive!

Answer 3

I love this picture of Eric. Jo, I do not know how you are related to him, but he sure had a wonderful talent that many women today would love to have.

That hat of his seems to be hanging there by a thread, but it doesn't seem like it is going to move an inch.

Did he use "gorilla" glue?

Just kidding.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Awesome picture.

Comments

No relation, just same last name.  He lived to 99.

Answer 4

I suspect that particular angle on the hat isn't exactly "regulation". 

Great photo! 

Comments

Well, I take that back, I've now seen several photos of British WWII soldiers wearing their garrison caps that way. There must have been some trick to it.

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Thanks for the new word - garrison cap - A side cap is a foldable military cap with straight sides and a creased or hollow crown sloping to the back where it is parted. It is known as a garrison cap or flight cap (in the United States), pilotka (in Russia), a wedge cap (in Canada), or officially field service cap^[1] (in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries). It follows the style which originated with the so-called Austrian cap in the 1890s. There was also a previous version known as the "torin", which had a much more curved top line when viewed from the side. Both Austrian and torin types were distinguished by the inclusion of a fold-down section for warming the ears and back of the head in inclement weather. These two styles are still used by officers of some British units and continue to include this feature. In appearance the cap is similar to the glengarry, but differs by a lack of the tartan, or check trim, toorie, and ribbons typical of the Scottish cap. It has been associated with various military forces from before World War I until the present day; as well as various youth organizations. A convenient feature of this cap is that when the owner is indoors and no coat-hook is available, it can be easily stored by folding it over the belt or, unofficially, by tucking it under a shoulder strap.

from Wikipedia, of course.