Close to my planned exit I had the misfortune to "mislay" my well-worn SD hat in the gents at Manston when on a brief visit, and very soon therafter a new puppy decided to take a fancy to my No.1 "Sunday best" Bates' hat. Result, no servicable SD hat and being close to my exit I was understandably not keen on shelling out for replacements......
My only hat was my trusty chip bag which was fine for working wear but no good for parades or SDO! Hence the question...."when did the practice of wearing side caps and No.1 cease?"
I ended up borrowing a SD hat for my last day in uniform as I cleared and said goodbye to the execs and my children who used to use remnants of my uniform for fancy dress parties always complained that they needed a hat to complete the outfit!
Still got my helmet though, not that it's much use without one of Aunt Betty's best to plug it into...
MB