Whilst out in Normandy last week for the D-Day commemorations, I checked out the militaria stores in the area. Usually it's overpriced and fairly bog standard but on my last day I went into a store in St. Mere Eglise and found gold.
This M41 jacket was in a glass cabinet looking rather ratty and filthy. However, I could tell immediately it was an early Airborne Troop Carrier M41. On the left is a silk screened on canvas 9th AF patch with an additional Airborne tab sewn above it. This was definitely IX Troop Carrier Command. Whilst the right was a First Allied Airborne Command patch.
When inspecting the jacket at the store I spotted a name, rank and a partial number on the inside.
Hurley Wm
Flight Officer
T-_2_340
I had a hunch this could have been a Glider Pilots M41 so I bought it.
A good friend of mine named Patrick Elie who is my Troop Carrier guru checked his records and confirmed that F/O William Hurley T-121340 was indeed a Glider Pilot in the 99th TCS 441st TCG. Hurley had flown a CG-4A Glider into Southern France and Holland.
This was fantastic news and 24 hours later, Hans den Brok added the icing on the cake by supplying me a photograph of Hurley.
What a jacket. I've been collecting all things Airborne Troop Carrier for years but an M41 jacket has eluded me. So to get one with so much history is something very special.
Regards,
Neil.
The group photograph of the 99th Troop Carrier Squadron Glider Pilots scanned from the unit history book. Hurley is sitting cross legged on the far right.
This M41 jacket was in a glass cabinet looking rather ratty and filthy. However, I could tell immediately it was an early Airborne Troop Carrier M41. On the left is a silk screened on canvas 9th AF patch with an additional Airborne tab sewn above it. This was definitely IX Troop Carrier Command. Whilst the right was a First Allied Airborne Command patch.
When inspecting the jacket at the store I spotted a name, rank and a partial number on the inside.
Hurley Wm
Flight Officer
T-_2_340
I had a hunch this could have been a Glider Pilots M41 so I bought it.
A good friend of mine named Patrick Elie who is my Troop Carrier guru checked his records and confirmed that F/O William Hurley T-121340 was indeed a Glider Pilot in the 99th TCS 441st TCG. Hurley had flown a CG-4A Glider into Southern France and Holland.
This was fantastic news and 24 hours later, Hans den Brok added the icing on the cake by supplying me a photograph of Hurley.
What a jacket. I've been collecting all things Airborne Troop Carrier for years but an M41 jacket has eluded me. So to get one with so much history is something very special.
Regards,
Neil.
The group photograph of the 99th Troop Carrier Squadron Glider Pilots scanned from the unit history book. Hurley is sitting cross legged on the far right.
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