was there any reason for the beret changing from what i take to be green in 1941 to black in 1944?i know this is sounds a stupid question but i did not notice the change when i posted the pictures in earlier posts. i have also added a picture of a uniform from 1938 that may be of interest, it is again of my dad but in the uniform of the Guernsey Malitia.
Hi, Nice pictures. There's a thread on the forum about berets-A quick search should take you to it. Cheers Andy
lovely pics, this thread is one Drew refers to. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/weapons-technology-equipment/23400-orgins-british-army-beret.html
The Recce boys should have the detail, but the lack beret was worn once theRecce Corps became part of the Royal Armoured Corps. The bit I'm not so sure of is whose beret they were wearing before the black one.
In March 1942 the Recce Corps was issued with green and yellow field-service caps which continued to be worn on occasion in some regiments after the introduction of the Corps' Khaki Beret at the end of the year. 56 Recce decided on a distinction that would be only theirs: it was agreed that the officers would wear Green Berets instead of the standard Recce Khaki. These were bought whilst in Scotland but were not worn until the regiment went overseas. On 1 January 1944 when Recce came under RAC Black Berets were issued. But that took considerable time as stocks of the old Khaki Berets had to be used up and there were not enough Black Berets to meet the needs of all Recce regiments. Airborne Recce of course had Maroon Berets. Cheers Paul
In March 1942 the Recce Corps was issued with green and yellow field-service caps which continued to be worn on occasion in some regiments after the introduction of the Corps' Khaki Beret at the end of the year. 56 Recce decided on a distinction that would be only theirs: it was agreed that the officers would wear Green Berets instead of the standard Recce Khaki. These were bought whilst in Scotland but were not worn until the regiment went overseas. On 1 January 1944 when Recce came under RAC Black Berets were issued. But that took considerable time as stocks of the old Khaki Berets had to be used up and there were not enough Black Berets to meet the needs of all Recce regiments. Airborne Recce of course had Maroon Berets. Cheers Paul Don't forget 51 (H) Recce who who wore the Balmoral (Tam O Shanter) with Hunting Stuart tartan backing to the badge: My old Dad posing in same!! Tom.
Also I inadvertently (just came off Night Shift) left out the other Scottish Recce, 15th & 52nd both of whom wore the Scottish Balmoral until the Change in 1944 to RAC brought in the Black Beret and it was then deemed that Balmorals were not suitable for armoured vehicles. Cheers Paul
Mariner1's three pictures show nicely the progression (?) from Service Dress, through 37 pattern Battledress to Economy pattern with tailored collar.
Tom and Paul, Just logged on and looked at the question and see that you have both provided the answer, well done. Personally I think that keeping Khaki Beret would have looked better in Italy and the Mediterranean theatre and would probably have been a little cooler as black attracts heat. Regards Tom
Back with the books now: the khaki beret was authorised for Recce Corps and Motor Battalions on 17 Oct 42 (ACI 2216:1942).
you all probalby know this ...but what regiment had a moroon beret and did not wear a cap badge in it ..
Don't know about a maroon one, but 11th Hussars had a brown-with-cherry-red-band beret that was worn without a cap badge.
So when the beret colour says "Khaki", was it the greenish khaki like this: (Disregard the badge) Or a pale sand like this:
I believe the WW2 khaki beret would have been a browner shade - more like battledress serge - than the modern one. Definitely not sand, though.