Helmets / headdress
Airborne forces red beret
A red beret worn by the airborne troops of the Army Air Corps after 1942 (the Parachute, the Glider Pilot, and the Air Landing Regiment -as well as the SAS after 1944). This Kangol Wear Limited made example is dated 1943 and bears all the characteristic traits of the maker, as well as the expected signs of use and wear. A faint maker's mark can be seen on the crown alongside with the "N" War Department acceptance stamp. Having been issued, the beret has had two different badges affixed, as seen by the four holes on the front. Interestingly, the lining is made of fabric of two different colours, the typical black, and maroon. The use of the latter in the "blind spots" of the interior must then have been a war economy measure, at least for the production lot of this beret. |
2nd AGRA MkII
A 2nd AGRA (Army Group Royal Artillery) MkII helmet. Formed in Darlington, in September 1942, the 2nd AGRA landed on North Africa in March 1943 with the 1st Army, under the command of the IX Corps. After the end of the campaign, HQ 2nd AGRA was transferred to the X Corps, serving under the US 5th Army, under whose command it fought in Salerno, and later throughout the Italian campaign. The end of the war found the formation in the area of Rimini. In January 1946, HQ 2nd AGRA was transferred to Greece, renamed to 180 Infantry Brigade. Four layers were painted on the helmet: One of sandy tan over the factory finish, probably before the landing on Africa, mostly seen on the crown, where a later green layer, typical for the later stages of the Italian campaign, has flaked off. The traces of the brush are clearly visible on it. The last layer is of a darker green tone and was brushed over the two flashes on each side of the helmet to cover them. The helmet was found in Greece, so it might have been handed over to the Greek Army as aid material, after the 180 Infantry Brigade left the country. It is possible that the flashes were covered before the transfer from Italy, although it is also possible that this might have happened during the disbanding of the other formations of the 2nd AGRA after the end of the North African campaign. Either way, if the helmet has indeed been used by the Greek Army, it is rather fortunate that it has survived the early 1950s refurbishment, which would have erased its history. The two flashes are the one of the 2nd AGRA, the zodiac sign of Taurus on the right side, and the red and blue Royal Artillery "diamond" on the left. The maker's mark can only faintly be read on the rim, under the thick layers of paint: BMB, for Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd. The elasticated chinstrap is of the MkII pattern. |
RAMC MkI*
Mk II #1
MkII #2
MkII #3
Motorcyclist helmet
Wolseley pattern helmet
General Service cap
Wool scarf / cap comforter
A 1944 dated cap comforter. A wool cylinder with both ends sewn, which could be used both as a scarf and, when folded into itself, as a cap. Being really practical, this general issue piece became iconic due to its preferred use by trench raiding parties during WW1 and commando units during WW2, which is why it is often mistakenly named as such. |