Identification needed for a WW2 periwinkle blue beret

[rubicon]

Hello,

I am trying to identify this WW2 military periwinkle blue beret. It was made by J.L. CURRIE & Co in 1942. It also has remains of a RAOC stamp which shows "WD" and letter "O" above for 1942 control.
It is not either a civilian defense beret nor a Royal Marine beret which was not made and issued before 1943. It is of interest to know it was found with a Denison Smock and other military things at Paris France and it belonged a former Free French soldier.

Does someone can help to identify this oddity?
J-F

[fougasse1940]

It seems too dark to be a Polish paratrooper beret, some French did their parachutist training with the Poles, but too light to be a (sunbleached?) RAC beret, which the French wore before joining the SAS.

Rgds, Thomas.

[Postwarden]

Published on 31st July 1951 change C4589 in the Army’ List of Changes to Army Ordnance Stores declares obsolete “Berets, Norwegian, Parachute Troops and Polish, Parachute Troops”. The Polish example is presumably the well-known grey, the colour of the Norwegian beret unknown.

The same Change also describes a “Cap, Blue formerly described as Berets, Allied Forces” the use of which was now to be restricted to the East African Armoured Corps.

When originally introduced the Royal Tank Regiment’s black beret was described as a Cap. As the “Cap, Blue” had previously been described as a beret and that there is a possible European connection to this unidentified blue beret, it seems likely that it’s an example of the “Cap Blue formerly described as Berets, Allied Forces”.

But which of the Allied Forces wore it – and when?

Jon

[Belly]

Originally Posted by rubicon

...Royal Marine beret which was not made and issued before 1943...

Cdo Green berets were first issued in 1942