My newest and most treasured possesion: an Arnhem Vets Red Beret

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, last Sunday at Beltring I met up as usual with my old friend Sgt. Don Turner. Don served with the "Pathfinders" 21st Indep. Para. Coy. Don lives locally and always come down to spend a few hours with me.
This year he arrived and presented me with his original Red Beret. I did not know he still had his in his possesion. This was his original issue beret worn from 1943 in North Africa, Italy and ARNHEM! I was staggered to say the least!

Here is me with Don.

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

As you can imagine the beret is well used having been worn in action.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Another view showing the leather sweatband.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Not sure if this will show in the photo? But checkout the weave pattern.

The exact same weave pattern can be seen in the Red Beret worn by General Hackett at Arnhem. This is now displayed in the "Hartenstien" Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Interior which has now lost any markings bar the WD inspection stamps. The sweatband at the back bears a post war repair.

[Adrian Stevenson]

WD markings

[Adrian Stevenson]

Here is pic of Don proudly wearing his impressive medal bar.

[Don D.]

My hat is off to Don. As one paratrooper to another all I can say is ooorraaahhhhh!!!!

[Jim Maclean]

Fantastic beret Ade , you're extremely lucky to have such a wonderful friend.

Jim

[ROBB]

Don must have been a young fella during the war as he still looks quite healthy and young . A very nice gesture to give you his beret ,these old vets obviously have a lot of time for you.Rob

[Chris Stewart]

Sometimes it pays off to take the time to listen and talk with these guys. That doesn't mean to say just hearing them talk isn't payment enough!

He must think very highly of you Ade, congratulations.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Cannot get much better than this - 21st IPC Arnhem red beret!!!

A great addition to the collection Ade

Would look nice in my red beret collection too

Congrats and I really appreciate you letting me handle it at Beltring.

Thanks from Jack.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Oh I nearly forgot...

...it is a fake you know?

And I strongly suggest it is sent to me!

[LeeG]

Adrian,
That is such a generous gift! Thanks for sharing. By the way, I love your 1943 Ivan impression! Where's the SVT-40?
-Lee

[Adrian Stevenson]

Thanks for the comments guys. I will be displaying his beret along was his 1937 pattern web belt, web holster, (in which he carried .45 Auto) web bag and wooden trunk which he used to ship his kit to Palestine in 1946.

Don actually had his 81st Birthday the day before these photos were taken. He joined up as a boy soldier in 1939 (before the outbreak of war) in the Royal West Kent's. He wanted to become a PTI. This he never did and volunteered for the Parachute Regt in 1942. He never joined a Parachute battalion as he was handpicked by Major John Lander after he had completed jump training. The 21st was a truly elite unit. Don was a 2 inch mortar man at Arnhem in No.2 Platoon. He has a great sence of humour and was a bit of a lad in the Army. Many of his stories I could not repeat here! He served after the war in the Paras, he was in 2 Battl, but did not like being in a battalion as it did not compare to being in the small close knit unit that was the 21st IPC. He served until 1948. His ambition after the war was to become a tramp but his wife did not fancy doing that! He has always been a keen footballer and is a big cricket fan. Don is going to Arnhem as usual this year for the Anniversary.

Cheers, Ade.