Author Topic: Khaki beret issue in WW2  (Read 1943 times)

Offline Brewins girl

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Khaki beret issue in WW2
« on: Tuesday 28 November 17 18:42 GMT (UK) »
My uncle who served in REME wrote in a letter "we are getting our khaki berets now" - this was April 1944.

Two questions please 1. What would he have worn before this date 2. Why were these issued so late in the war?
Brooking (REME)
Robinson (RAF)
Southall (Pedmore, nr Stourbridge UK)

Offline Brewins girl

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 28 November 17 18:44 GMT (UK) »
I forgot to add that he said that he would probably look like Angus MacPherson" now that he had his khaki beret. Does anyone have any idea who Angus MacPherson might have been (Ive assumed he was a well-known or even famous person, rather than just a friend or acquaintance)
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Offline Guy Etchells

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 28 November 17 18:53 GMT (UK) »
Not an expert on this but possibly because a unit (other than tank crews and the like) on active service would have little use for a beret as they were not worn under helmets.
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Offline Brewins girl

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 28 November 17 18:55 GMT (UK) »
That's interesting Guy, but up until this point he was based in the UK, where REME were moved around wherever Anti-Aircraft positions required its service, so I think it was unlikely that he would have worn a helmet.
Brooking (REME)
Robinson (RAF)
Southall (Pedmore, nr Stourbridge UK)


Offline giggsycat

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 28 November 17 19:03 GMT (UK) »
If you Google REME uniform 1944 it shows both types of headgear.

I don't know what it is called, but is the cap that sits on the side of the head. My Dad wore one in the Royal Horse Artillery. I always wondered how they managed to keep them on!

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Offline MaxD

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 28 November 17 19:42 GMT (UK) »
The one that sits on the side of the head was called a side hat  :) (there was a much ruder name also, not for publication).  Chances are that is what he was wearing before the beret.

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Offline giggsycat

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 28 November 17 19:45 GMT (UK) »
 ;D ;D ;D

Offline ShaunJ

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 28 November 17 19:47 GMT (UK) »
Quote
The one that sits on the side of the head was called a side hat

I think it was a F S (Field Service) Cap 
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Offline Brewins girl

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Re: Khaki beret issue in WW2
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 29 November 17 12:34 GMT (UK) »
"side hat" and "field service cap" - are these the same as 'forage caps'?
Thank you all for your help - I did as giggyscat suggested and compared photos from pre- and post-1944 and guess that the 'khaki berets' were issued to replace the FS caps. My husband told me how National Service soldiers would boil their berets to shrink them!
Brooking (REME)
Robinson (RAF)
Southall (Pedmore, nr Stourbridge UK)