[ledfut]

I am trying to solve a bit of a mystery - perhaps you guys can help me.

My wife's grandfather (who passed away 19 years ago) was a Canadian who served with the FSSF.

I recently aquired, from his widow, a maroon beret - C-broad arrow marked and dated 1944, Dorothea Hats, Ltd. Unfortunately, the beret is missing its cap badge.

I am thinking he was part of the 2nd Canadian Parachute Battalion, which would later be renamed the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion and integrated into the FSSF. The beret is dated 1944, at which time he was already serving with the FSSF in Italy.

I am trying to determine which badge would have been worn on the cap -the Canadian Parachute Corps badge, or the crossed arrows FSSF cap badge.

Just a note - he did not join a Canadian Parachute regiment after the FSSF disbanded (after the FSSF disbanded, he joined the Perth Regiment).

It was my understanding that the FSSF members wore US uniforms, but I have seen pictures of FSSF members in Canadian battle dress with the FSSF sleeve patch and with the maroon beret with the cross-arrows FSSF badge on it.


I guess I am trying to determine two things:
1. Would this beret have been worn as part of his FSSF uniform?
2. Which cap badge would have been worn with it?

Added: If it helps, the holes for the pins on the badge are almost exactly 3/4 inch apart. The holes are definitely pin holes and are too small for lugs to fit through.

Thanks.