Slouch hat : Lieutenant Colonel R J H Noble, Al Muthanna Task Group

Place	Middle East: Iraq
Accession Number	REL34696.001
Collection type	Heraldry
Object type	Headdress
Physical description	Anodised aluminium, Brass, Cotton, Emu feather, Fur felt, Leather, Vinyl
Location	Main Bld: Peacekeeping & Recent Conflicts Gallery
Maker	Unknown
Place made	Australia
Date made	c 2000s
Conflict	Iraq, 2003-2013

Description

Australian Army khaki fur felt slouch hat with pleated cotton puggaree, emu feather plume and leather chinstrap. The hat has a brown vinyl sweatband stamped with a broad arrow and faded maker's details. Eight staples have been punched through the left side of the sweatband. There are two brass riveted ventilation holes on either side of the crown and a hook behind the emu plume to secure the left side of the brim to the crown. Attached under the left brim is a Rising Sun badge and attached to the puggaree at the front of the hat is the 2 Cavalry Regiment badge showing an eagle and 'COURAGE'.

History / Summary

Associated with the service of Lieutenant Colonel Roger John Henderson Noble of 2 Cavalry Regiment. In 2005 Noble was appointed Commanding Officer of the Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) which was to be deployed to southern Iraq in April.

The AMTG, consisting of approximately 450 personnel, was tasked with providing a secure environment for the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group (JIRSG) and assisting in the training of local Iraqi Army units to enable them to take over the internal and external defence of their country. On 15 October a referendum was held for the people of Iraq to decide whether or not to ratify the proposed constitution of Iraq.

This item was collected from Noble after a visit to the As Samawah polling booths to show Multinational Force support for the referendum and to assess the public’s participation. The Iraqi people voted to accept the new constitution and it was officially ratified on 25 October. Noble was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for 'distinguished command and leadership while employed as Commanding Officer for the Al Muthanna task Group in Southern Iraq during the period 24 April 2005 to 25 October 2005.'.