Armoured Airborne WW2?

[Tanker Mike]

This ebay listing is interesting, showing that soldiers used what they could or traded for, an Airborne smock badged to the Armoured Corps.

Some will say that the badges could have been added after the war, but there is also the argument the smock was used in the war as well. It could have been issued, given to the soldier or lost in a poker game.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/221970826957?ul_noapp=true

[Tommo]

Interesting.

I remember reading a book about an RAF pilot. He traded his greatcoat to a Para just after Arnhem, for his Denison Smock. Trades/Swaps do happen in the services.

[Bill A]

Mike, on another fora or FB, this was discussed. It was in the estate of Lt-Col. A.G. Coulter, who during the war served with the Fort Garry's and after the war had a long career with the Ontario Regiment. In period images you will often see both infantry and armoured fellows with the parachute smock.

[Tanker Mike]

If he was A Lt Col I wonder why no rank on the uniform, or even holes where the crown and pips would have been.

[Bill A]

He was not a Lt-Col until after the war. Not sure of his highest rank during the war. The epaulets have been removed from the smock, which would answer the question about rank badges.

[Bill A]

The smock realized $900 US. Not sure if that is a record price, but it sure is a strong value for a modified garment.

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Mike, on another fora or FB, this was discussed. It was in the estate of Lt-Col. A.G. Coulter, who during the war served with the Fort Garry's and after the war had a long career with the Ontario Regiment. In period images you will often see both infantry and armoured fellows with the parachute smock.

I'd suggest it's not a "parachute" smock per se, buts a camouflage smock. It was issued to scouts and snipers in infantry battalions as well, with modifications authorized to adapt it to those roles.

[Bill A]

An interesting observation Michael, but the garment in question has an ordnance tag reading Smock Denison (Airborne Troops).

[edstorey]

What Michael is saying is that Denison Smocks were issued to snipers and these garments were the airborne type but at times suitably modified, so the label would never reflect the modifications.

Denison Smocks saw a wide variety of non-Airborne use such as the already mentioned snipers; but they were also issued to Commandos, as winter clothing to army units and naturally they were also a favourite garment for Officers and those ORs who could obtain one for wear.

[Bill A]

Understood Ed, but the tunic in question appears to be the standard Denison, minus the tail flap. It was unusual for Denisons to have any formation signs or regimental/corps titles affixed.

[edstorey]

For sure, very unusual but as we see from this example not improbable, especially for an Officer.