7th Parachute Battalion – Airborne Beret, Kangol 1943 – W.J.N. ROSE

RARE 7th Parachute Battalion airborne beret. The beret is named to W.J.N. ROSE with service number 1447680. He was wounded in action during Operation Varsity, April 7, 1945. During the advance eastwards following Operation Varsity, the 7th Battalion suffered heavy losses on 7 April as a result of a road mine detonation, the battle to secure Wunstorf airfield, in which leading elements of B Coy were initially ambushed and the German garrison detonating the bridge at Neustadt while B Coy advanced across it on the night of 7/8 April 1945. The battalion war diary recorded total casualties for the day of 27 killed, 33 wounded and 6 missing.Some of those injured also died as a result of their wounds.
The beret is in good condition with traces of wear, the cap badge and wool rifle green diamond backing are there forever. Maker marked by Kangol Wear Limited, dated 1943 in size 7. His name ROSE is written on the maker marking, there is also a label inside with his service number. The beret has no damage. WD letter N stamped for 1943.

Unique piece of history what definitely deserves further research.

As part of the 6th Airborne Division, the 7th Battalion saw combat on D-Day in Operation Tonga on 6 June 1944, the Battle of the Bulge in December and Operation Varsity the River Rhine crossing in March 1945.