New finds...

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Jack, lots of questions to answer here, so here goes.

The KD shirt is a US made "War Aid" item for the British Army. I have one in my collection too. Note the typical U.S. HBT weave and small plastic shirt style buttons.

The Recce arm of service strip is, as I am sure you are aware, non regulation for an Airborne soldier.

I have never seen this particular pattern of Recce Corps coloured lanyard before. It is very nice.

The "Recce" beret while, original, has seen several cap badges which I personally am not over keen to see. The Recce cap badge was worn in (non regulation) silver by a couple of Regiments I think?? But certainly not by 1st or 6th A/B Recce Regiments. Not over keen on the quaility of this one to be honest. There appears to be some "flash" which would indicate a casting and not a die strike.

The jacket may well have been worn in Palestine as it features a ribbon bar of the 1939-1943 Star (which later became the 1939-45 Star.) and the Africa Star. These could only have been won by a member of 1st Airborne, BUT many men were transfered from the 1st to the newly formed 6th A/B, so a soldier could well have served in both Divs.

Nothing really to add on the Parachute Regt beret.

Do you have to name to this group? I might be able to help?

Cheers, Ade.

[Si1964]

Jack,
All I can say is





I knew Leeds was useful for something

No offence to our Yorkshire members intended, before you start to chastise the cider drinker

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments etc..

Ciaran, I would love to spill the beans, but I'm not going to

Ade, thanks for the info, this is very useful
I think you must be right on what Division he served in before Palestine especially because there is no France and Germany Star as a lot of members of the 6th Airborne were awarded this, as I'm sure you know!

I wish I had a name on this lot of stuff
But is it still researchable? Sergeant, Reconnaissance Corps, 1st Airborne Division, 39/45 star and Africa star, possibly served in Palestine, might have had a brother in Para. Regt.? I think it would be hard...

The badge escapes me too. It is a funny one and I'd be amazed if someone had added it to the beret. On closer inspection today, I don't think it is silver. It looks more like white metal and possibly it is casting as Ade said? Maybe N. Africa locally made?

As you also say, Ade, the beret has had a slider cap badge on as well. This doesn't tend to concern me that much because I once pulled a 1943 dated red beret out of a junk shop and it had had both a lug and slider Para. Regt cap badge on. It was battered to hell and I sold it which I still regret doing. I know who has it, so maybe I can pester them for it...

Simon, I wouldn't worry too much...it is only a few bits of cloth

Thanks from Jack.
PS New pic of cap badge.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Well and truly done....

oh dear let's say sorry for bringing up this old thread but I'm going to show how easy it is to get done nowadays!

When I first bought this beret (mentioned in this thread) i didn't really take a lot of notice of it and it went away in a box until now really. i had a good examination of it yesterday and I thought to myself - would I buy this beret today? Well I said to myself 'no' for several reasons - overall the beret is shoddy in construction/manufacture, the Kangol stamp (1944 etc) looks more dodgy than some of the woman down Birkenhead market on a saturday, the leather sweat band is oversized (never seen one like this) and the crown (?) is so small and unlike any wartime one I've seen.

I'll post some more pics to see if you lot agree with me. I'm guessing it's probably 1950s with a fake stamp?

I'm not going to mention the dealer who sold this to me as it's unfair as I should have been more careful in the first place, but what I will say - it's not the first time this person has sold a dud item.

I still think the jacket is ok but I reckon it has been 'married' with the beret.

PS. (Michael I bet you're glad you didn't buy this one now ))

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

#2 cap badge could be a 'wrong 'un' too??

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

#3 It might not be real leather too - another no no! Certainly doesn't look like it!

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Stamp etc.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Last one...the 'leather'

It's annoying all this...but part of the fun of collecting I suppose...if it was so easy none of us would do it probably!

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

any thoughts?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Jack, bring this to the next show we are both going to be at, so I can see it first hand. As I mentioned before I was not over keen on the cap badge and the multitude of holes. The leather reinforment to the air vent holes does now look suspect having seen a photo of it.


Cheers, Ade.

[ROBB]

Unlucky Jack .I though the world of TR stuff was murky ,thanks for giving us all a heads up on what to look out for.Rob.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Robb, things are just as bad when it gets to British A/B or any kind of special forces stuff.....


Cheers, Ade.

[lnijherald]

Hi Jack,
The beret has a funny construction like Ade noticed, the grommets are not supposed to go through the leather patch. Also the stampings are different from what I'd expect to see.
Looks like a DIY job.
Cheers, Luc

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Thanks for the input guys, it's appreciated

Don't worry, it's not like it cost a lot or anything

Ade, I'll show you next time we meet, unless I've shredded it!