The emu plume
I would like to put in my 2 bobs worth to the story of the emu plume.
Although there are many stories about the emu plume the argument is who was first to wear them and how they got them.
Was it the Rockhampton mounted infantry or West Morton mounted infantry that had them first?
Did they shoot the Emu?
Did they chase the Emu and pull out the tail feathers?
The point I would like to put is why not two or more at around the same time.
What I would like to put is not just look at the writing that have served time but also other evidence and what the traditions at that time.
1/ In the 1890s the Queensland Mounted Infantry would have been relatively new. Also at that time most European Armies had fancy head dress such as bear skins, busbies, feathers large and small. Each proud of them as they showed as individual units.
Esprit de corps was and is still an important part of a successful army.
Therefore I believe it likely that the members of the Queensland mounted infantry (QMI) would want and be looking for some sort of head dress for esprit de corps, pride and a form of showing they are mounted infantry. Whether or not it was for identifying recognition between Mounted Infantry and Infantry or for recognition between units of the QMI such as the Wide Bay Mounted Infantry and the Mackay Mounted Infantry and alike doesn’t matter as it may well have been both.
Furthermore feathers were a common headdress in Europe at the time and the QMI officers at the time where wearing green Cock feather so it would seem natural to choose feathers for this purpose.
My points is this, it would not have been one or two members of the QMI wanting feathers in their headdress but more than likely most of them. Also not in barracks but out in the country the dress standard would have been more lax and easy to just start wearing emu feathers. Also being out in the country where the emus are, why not.
2/ As different units were spread across Queensland I can’t see someone calling on the mobile phone in 1891 to spread the idea but more a common want and opportunity.
3/ Did they chase the emu and pull out the tail feathers? Did they shoot the emu and cut out the chest feathers? For that I turn to photos. Some have long bushy feathers in their hats which can only be tail feathers and some have neat and shorter feathers which could be from the chest of the emu.
Also held at museum of the 2/14 light horse (QMI) at Enoggera I saw a set of emu plumes that still has the feathers in its hide. This to me is evidence that two or more methods were used at the same time.
In conclusion
I believe it very possible even likely that two or more units had the want and opportunity at around the same time started the emu plume tradition around the same using two or more different ways of obtaining the feathers.
Finally
The Emu plume lives on, it started with the QMI then in WW1 all the Australian Light Horse and now all Royal Australian Armored corps (RAAC) Now with current uniforms plumes must comply with ASODs, Army Standing Orders Dress. Plumes are still being made today one maker I know of makes them to comply with ASOD or to order for historical groups. Contact at
http://tinyurl.com/re4bdv
