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Image Not Available for 1944 Kangol Wear Limited Red Beret
1944 Kangol Wear Limited Red Beret
Image Not Available for 1944 Kangol Wear Limited Red Beret

1944 Kangol Wear Limited Red Beret

Associated (New Pitsligo, Scotland, 1921 - 2010)
Date1944
Object NameHat
Mediumtexile
ClassificationsWartime
AcquisitionPresented in 2015.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS094815
About MeWW2 British Parachute Regiment beret. Made by Kangol Wear Limited, size 7 1/2.

Interior reads "7 1/2 // Kangol Wear Limited // 1944" with military Broad Arrow symbol.

Private Edward Laird Leys (youngest brother and donor’s father)
65th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery
Born 12 December 1921 in New Pitsligo, died Aberdeen 2010. Brought up at West Brownhill Farm, the family home in New Pitsligo. Moved to Aberdeen. Enlisted 1942. Served in North West Europe from Normandy onwards, and Palestine. Had a small building business in Aberdeen after the war.

Note: 65th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery was a North East regiment. The men were recruited from Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff, Macduff, Aberdeen, Montrose and Brechin. One troop was apparently comprised entirely of men from the Aberdeen fish trade. On D-Day it provided support for 1st Airborne Division, hence the Parachute Regiment connection and why Leys wore this red beret.

Image Not Available for Photograph of Soldiers Gathered Beside Aircraft (Includes Private Edward Laird Leys)
Photograph of Soldiers Gathered Beside Aircraft (Includes Private Edward Laird Leys)
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys and Other Soldier
Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys and Other Soldier
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Portrait Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Photograph of Private Edward Laird Leys
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Royal Artillery Cloth Patch
Royal Artillery Cloth Patch
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Royal Artillery Cloth Patch
Royal Artillery Cloth Patch
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for Mounted France and Germany Star Medal, 1939-1945 Star Medal and 1939-1945 War Medal
Mounted France and Germany Star Medal, 1939-1945 Star Medal and 1939-1945 War Medal
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Military Cloth Patch - Three Clovers
British Military Cloth Patch - Three Clovers
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Military Cloth Patch - Three Clovers
British Military Cloth Patch - Three Clovers
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
British Military Cloth Patch - Sword on Cross in Shield
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Army Signaller Patch
British Army Signaller Patch
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Image Not Available for British Army Driver Cloth Patch
British Army Driver Cloth Patch
Private Edward Laird Leys
1939-1945
Local Defence Volunteer
Local Defence Volunteer
Edward Baird
1939
Image Not Available for 1943 Battledress Blouse Including Royal Artillery and Parachute Regiment Insignia
1943 Battledress Blouse Including Royal Artillery and Parachute Regiment Insignia
Private Edward Laird Leys
1943
Blue and Black Wedding Veil
Blue and Black Wedding Veil
Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
1946
Image Not Available for The 65th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery Re-Union Letter
The 65th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery Re-Union Letter
Private Edward Laird Leys
1990
Image Not Available for Parachute Silk Nightdress
Parachute Silk Nightdress
c. 1942
Image Not Available for 1939 Portrait Photograph of Lance Corporal David Leys, Royal Artillery
1939 Portrait Photograph of Lance Corporal David Leys, Royal Artillery
Lance Corporal David Leys
1938-1939