Anyone collecting to Gurkha Parachute?

[tynesideirish]

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[Unknownsoldier]

Superb,a beautiful beret.

Tom

[Gurkha]

Hi ya,
I take it this is from E bay a few months ago. Myself and a fellow gurkha collector were most worried by this. I have collected for a number of years to the brigade. I also spoke to to an ex officer from 10 GR & para coy as well over this beret when it appeared.

IMO and that of others this is a fake. The beret dated 1959 is a red herring as the unit was not formed until 1/1/1963. Recruited from 1/7th and 1 & 2 10th GR. It did not adopt the maroon beret until it affiliated with the Regt in 1966.
It appears to be a trimmed blazer badge that has been mounted on an old para beret. The proportions are all wrong. Gurkha brigade ribbon is obtainable ( I have a few metres). Additionally my contact stated some officers had a HM para reg silver badge, as did he, others a Private purchase WM OR's one.
It may have been done in all innocence for someone to wear at Rememberence day or similar.
I did ping the seller with our concerns when it was offered.
Oh well off to buy some green felt and knock up a batch... only joking
Sorry
Steve

[tynesideirish]

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[Gurkha]

Youre taking a lot better than I would. I hope to be doing research in the libraray at the museum next week, if I get a chance I'll flick thro the photos of the coy to double check.
Its for the reasons you state, that I think it may have been done by an ex member of the unit for Airborne forces day or remembrance day.
You interested in the Gurkha airborne element ?
regards
Steve

[tynesideirish]

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[tynesideirish]

121212121212

[Gurkha]

Hi ya,
I served in the early 70's and can not recall any of our officers (even in blues) wearing anything other than the metal para reg cap badge.
my bullion blazer badge when purchased from 'victors' had a black paper type backing, tightly trimed around the badge.
The green backing was applied by the tailors and secured to the beret by being machine stiched all around the edge, with the brigade ribbon machine stiched down each side, folded under the green backing.
Im not happy with the dimensions of the of the bullion badge for it to be a beret badge, whilst the 7cm is about right for the wings,the crown to base of chute should be about 4cm.
In the Regt mag issue 51 (2000), page 33 is a good picture where the detail can clearly be seen.

I will ask my cousin if he ever saw a officer with embroidered beret badge as he served with all 3 batts over 22 years.
When i get a chance I'll send you a couple of pics of wartime gurkha airborne badges and the presentation kukri for GIPcoy, given to phil phillips the 2nd coy commander the one John Cross took over from.
regards
steve

[Danny]

Hi,
I believe the bullion Parachute Regiment beret was worn by the officers in the Guards Independent Parachute Company. No idea of the exact period it was worn.

I did have one pass through my hands about twenty years ago. Afraid I cant remember if it was the same as yours though.

I will have a look to see if I have a photo of it. I am also sure there was an illustration of it in an early copy of Chute & Dagger(UK). Will check it out.

Regards

Danny