Militaria Zone

Dealer Information

Dealer: Dear Old Blighty
Location: United Kingdom
Tel: 01628 488188
Email: pals@dearoldblighty.com

WW2 1945 1st Bn Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Beret.

SOLD

Code: 19841

Website: https://www.militariazone.com/hats/ww2-1945-1st-bn-duke-of-cornwall-s-light-infantry-beret-/itm33599

WW2 1945 1st Bn Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Beret.

An extremely rare example worn by the 1st Bn of the DCLI. The beret is the large GS pattern with faint 1945 date. The cap badge fitted with the Regimental green and red backing cloth. This example retains the rare feature of a green band to the edge adopted for a short time by the 1st Bn. Overall GC no moth damage. Faint name Davidson to the lining

In the book Badge Backing & Special Embellishments of the British Army published 1990 it describes the DCLI adopting the backing cloth in 1943 and worn into the early 1950’s. It also states:
“According to one source 1 DCLI wore at one stage a green band surrounding their large GS. Cap. However this is doubted by their museum who have no record of this.”

This cap proves the pattern was worn, it is very possible that since 1990 other examples have surfaced but I can locate no other example.