RTR Black beret curiosity

[rac1944]

I've just been reading one of the Intelligence Corps histories, Sharing the Secret by N van der Bijl, and the author mentions this interesting curio regarding wear of the black beret - at the time of El Alamein Sgt Potter of 37 Field Security Section attached to 1AD found an important map marked with minefields in a KOed tank. Subsequently Maj-Gen Briggs authorized the section to wear the RTR black beret. The book also reproduces a Corps museum archive photo of some men of 37 FSS wearing the beret. Not going to be many men it was issued to, 20 perhaps in an FSS?

[David Tremain]

I read that too. I think there were other situations where the SAS wore either their parent regiment berets and badges or an adopted one.

David

[Mike Jackson]

While serving in the Int Corps I met and got to know a former Sgt in 50 (N) Inf Div's FSS. He claimed to have lost his hat in Normandy, bludged a black beret from a passing armoured unit and wore it until the end of the War - nobody seriously objected. Mike

[Madziro]

For what it is worth - The South African Int Corps wear black berets. The tradition is that they descended from the scout type units deployed in the Anglo Boer War and when berets were issued they continued a tradition of wearing black as it was by association scout units - mounted units - cavalry - armour.