AIRBORNE BERET MYSTERY - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

actionoke · #1 27-12-11, 08:45 PM

Got this beret with missing badge but would like to know your thoughts on its origin.French or British? .It has string thread similar to what Portuguese soldiers did to their berets and what I think is the writing embroided in it as follows 1EA PARA 1964 VICTOR VAN DE WAELE with a ace spades card .The badge was one with 3 lugs total ,,, left to right and one below middle .Any ideas?

appie_b · #2 27-12-11, 08:56 PM

Hi,

I would think it is a Belgian beret. mainly based on the name.

Albert.

johanwiegman · #3 28-12-11, 10:05 AM

Hi,

I agree the beret is Belgian. The name is typical Belgian. The cord with a number of knots probably indicates the number of parachute jumps the wearer made, an old parachutist tradition. When I did my parachute training, I also made little knots in a bit of parachute cord and kept that on me. I still have it somewhere.

Cheers,

Johan

actionoke · #4 28-12-11, 03:16 PM

well then could it be part of the Belguim Congo actions ?

appie_b · #5 28-12-11, 08:14 PM

Hi

I assume this is possible, based on the year 1964, when belgian para's where active in Congo.

Albert.

actionoke · #6 28-12-11, 08:38 PM

what would the badge have looked like?

johanwiegman · #7 28-12-11, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionoke

what would the badge have looked like?

Most probably a brass metal Winged Dagger since the 1st Para Battalion carries the 5th SAS tradition.

best regards,

Johan

http://www.specialoperations.com/For...ra/default.htm

actionoke · #8 29-12-11, 08:14 AM

thanks Johan for great info.So it looks like this man served in Congo in 64 .

Luc · #9 29-12-11, 06:47 PM

The first picture faintly shows the typical Belgian abbreviation ABL (upside down).

fougasse1940 · #10 30-12-11, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionoke

thanks Johan for great info.So it looks like this man served in Congo in 64 .

He might well have, but you'll need to do further research, nominal rolls etc., to be positive.

Rgds,

Thomas.

johanwiegman · #11 30-12-11, 06:52 AM

Friends,

Does anybody know about the practice of keeping bits of cord with knots for each parachute jump? It may be some kind of good luck charm.

Is this known in British Airborne forces at all?

Any other countries?

Cheers!

Johan