COMMONWEALTH WWII UNIFORMS & GROUPS

#CD307 Indian Airborne Officer's Aertex Shirt 

Original WWII 44th Indian Airborne Division officer's shirt with original insignia for the rank of Lieutenant. The original period applied insignia includes a textbook British airborne wing (Totally correct for the Indian Airborne) and officers pin back pips. The officer has modified the shirt using some material from another shirt to make an additional interior pocket.   The shirt is in excellent lightly worn condition with ink stamps still present. It's missing one button on the collar.  This is a great textbook Indian Airborne officer's shirt which is extremely rare and in great original condition. This would be a good base to complete an Indian Airborne WWII mannequin or display, as the other components are much easier to find. Nice! $475

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#DC3 British Paratrooper Jump Over Smock

Original WWII British paratrooper jump over smock.  This smock was designed to be worn over the paratrooper and all their equipment, and often discarded once on the ground.  This example is in stone mint condition in a good large size 6 with original factory tag and 1945 date.  Nice example!  $275

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#BS152 1943 Canadian Leather Jerkin size Medium

Original WWII Canadian leather jerkin dated 1943 in size medium.  Top condition example without any flaws, cannot be upgraded.  Iconic item for any WWII Commonwealth uniform collection, and often seen in wear in period photos.  Perfect mannequin size, we have an identical one in our collection on a mannequin. $250

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#BS151 South Africa Battle Dress Tunic

Original WWII South Africa Battle Dress tunic.  Nice condition with just some minor snags on the lower right sleeve, doesn't appear to have ever had any badges. Good mannequin size.  Rare Battle Dress tunic!  $250

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#CD277 Dispatch Rider Foul Weather Bib Coveralls

Original WWII Dispatch Rider foul weather bib coveralls.  Constructed of heavy duty waterproof material to protect against mud and rain, with bib at front to keep the elements from going in the coat / jacket.  Worn on their own or with the Dispatch Rider foul weather jacket. Near the leg seem there is a maker mark and they are dated 1941 upon close inspection of the seem.  This is the only example we've ever encountered, very rare Dispatch Rider uniform item. $100

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#CD258 The Elgins Battle Dress Uniform Grouping

Original WWII Canadian battle dress uniform grouping for a soldier from The Elgins.  Insignia includes English made printed canvas "The Elgin Regiment" titles, English made "Canada" titles, English made printed canvas First Canadian Army formation patches, Motor Transport trade patch, and two years wartime service chevrons. All insignia is original period applied and this set has never been messed with in any way. Inside the tunic is dated 1943 with C broad arrow and marked "V" meaning this set was treated against vesicant while overseas. Includes a mint condition pair of early battle dress trousers with green buttons in a large size that came with the tunic sized to match.  Also included is a basic khaki tie that came with the set.  Nice completely original set in large size that would be extremely tough to upgrade, with early trousers that are a great bonus. Originally purchased from a very advanced collection with no further provenance known. Great set!  $950

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#CD257 RCAF Airman Grouping "E.W. Chambers"

Original WWII Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) grouping to Airman E.W. Chambers.  The group includes a single identification disc on the original neck string, three "Canada" shoulder titles with one being the printed canvas type produced in England, two Leading Aircraftman insignia, tiny RCAF emblem, RCAF Christmas card, New Testament, Registration Certificate with Chambers information, and personalized blue notebook with some paper still in it. Potential research project, we haven't done any further research since obtaining it. Nice affordable RCAF Airman group! $150

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#CD259 RCAF Pilot Grouping "Bruce E. Betcher"

Original WWII Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot grouping to Bruce E. Betcher.  This small grouping was obtained from the veterans son in the 1990's by the consignor, and includes some correspondence.  The group includes Betcher's flight training manual, a rare set of "Canada" and "USA" titles, and a reproduced wartime photo.  Potential research project, we haven't done any further research since obtaining it. Nice affordable RCAF pilot group! $150

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#CD241 RCAF & 48th Highlanders Bandsman Grouping

Original WWII grouping to a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Bandsman who was later in the 48th Highlanders band after the war. The grouping includes a really nice badged khaki drill jacket with tie and belt, RCAF pillow case and hanker-chief,  RCAF grey sporran, housewife, button polisher, and various buttons and 48th Highlanders cap badges.  Also included is a photo of the bandsman who it belonged to, the sporran is named but we haven't done any research past what is presented here.  This has potential for more research. Great group with a really nice bandsman KD jacket and other cool accessories.  $225

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#CD244 British Aertex Shirt for a RAF / RCAF Second Lieutenant

Original WWII British "Aertex" fabric shirt with period applied insignia for a RAF / RCAF Second Lieutenant.  Excellent condition with original maker markings present inside the collar.  Missing one pocket button that can be easily replaced.  Excellent example!  $125

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#CD239 Australian Army Khaki Drill Shorts

Original WWII Australian Army khaki drill shorts.  Excellent condition, very lightly worn if at all. Factory stamps still present on the interior as shown. Size 2. Nice! $50

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#CD238 Australian RAAF Shorts 

Original WWII Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) shorts.  Mint unissued pair with original paper tag still attached. Made in Australian in 1944. Size "1.L." for 32" waste. Nice! $100

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#DW24 RCN Jumper Uniform Group "C.L. CRISSEN"

Original WWII Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) uniform group. The grouping includes; Blue wool jumper with "CANADA" titles and RCN Stoker Petty Officer badge, and is named "C.L. CRISSEN" in typical period stencilling. RCN blue square rig "Dickey". RCN white Dickey bib. RCN gunner's white cotton jumper shirt. RCN naval tie. RCN "Donald Duck" cap with HMCS talley, maker marked and dated 1944 on the interior. This is an excellent complete uniform group that looks great on a mannequin bust and is very representative of what the RCN wore during WWII. Very nice! $475

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#CD003 Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Battle Dress Blouse with Canvas Titles

Original WWII Seaforth Highlanders of Canada battle dress blouse with canvas titles and division patches.  Original period applied insignia including canvas 'SEAFORTH CANADA' titles and canvas 1st Canadian Division patches. The insignia is machine applied and nicely sunken down exactly how it should be after 70+ years. Other insignia includes overseas bars and ribbons. No name found, in one of the pockets are a couple extra loose ribbons. Perfect mannequin size. Nicely marked with makers information and C broad arrow, date of production is hard to read but most likely 1944. The blouse has had the collar opened up by a tailor and these modifications can be seen in the photos.  There is two slits added to the interior for an unknown reason, perhaps for hiding money(?).  Excellent condition, there is no noticeable moth damage or signs or bad storage, it is really clean and well preserved.  Original 1st Div unit title battle dress are becoming incredibly hard to find on the loose, particularly from a desirable and well known unit. Nice!  $950

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#CD143 1st Canadian Division Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Dress and Beret 

Original WWII 1st Canadian Division Royal Canadian Regiment Private’s battle dress blouse and beret. Insignia includes a trade specialist chevron, 1st Canadian Division flashes, Royal Canadian Regiment shoulder titles, a wound stripe, ribbons, 8th Army shoulder flash,  and two year wartime service chevrons.  All of the insignia is guaranteed original wartime machine applied, sunken down exactly how they should be with some loose threads on the sleeve interior.  The battle dress itself is Canadian made, the date is somewhat obscured but based on the button closure of the collar it is most likely 1945 or 1944 which are both commonly encountered years for battle dress badged at the end of hostilities during WWII and the trip home to be re-united with the soldiers families.   This is a textbook ‘coming home’ battle dress for a member of RCR.  Also included is a nice 1944 dated RCR beret with original cap badge in lightly worn condition.  While both the battle dress and beret are untouched pieces, they come from separate sources and I have combined them for this listing.  Nice set from a desirable unit and super tough to find! $950

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#CD131 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA Battle Dress Grouping

5th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA, battle dress grouping including battle dress blouse, beret, and named gun drill manual for the 40-MM A.A. gun.   The named gun drill manual was in the pocket as we received it, it could be the owners name but we have no way to confirm, it was left entirely as found.  All original wartime machine applied insignia nicely sunken down exactly how it should be.  A great group ready to be displayed from an interesting AA unit. Nice!  $450

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#BS119 British Army Chaplin's Sash with Ribbons

Original WWII British Army Chaplain's sash with ribbons from WWI and WWII including the Africa ribbon with 1st Army badge.  Very good condition showing some genuine wear, the owners initials are on the tag and it could be possible to determine who it belonged to with research.  A nice sash and very rare to find on the loose.  $450

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#CD010 3rd Canadian Division Royal Canadian Artillery Captain's Battle Dress Blouse

3rd Canadian Division Royal Canadian Artillery battle dress blouse.  This is the exact type which would have been worn in the Normandy campaign.  Original period applied insignia including canvas 3rd DIV patches.  Div patches and Canada titles are machine applied.  Three overseas bars.  Good mannequin size and nicely marked and dated 1943.  Excellent condition showing just some normal period wear, there is no noticeable moth damage or signs of bad storage.  This is a nice rare tunic and ready for your Canadian Normandy display, original 3rd Div battle dress are becoming incredibly hard to find on the loose so you don't miss your chance as these rarely come for sale.  $750

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#BS117 Canadian Infantry Captain's Battle Dress Tunic

Original WWII Canadian battle dress tunic.  The only insignia on this tunic is a period applied set of Captain's pips in scarlet representing the infantry branch.  C broad arrow marked on the interior.  Period worn condition with a snag in the right sleeve.  This would be a good tunic for a combat mannequin as often unit titles were stripped during operations for secrecy. Nice infantry officers battle dress tunic! $200

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#DW5 RCAF Uniform Group, Flight Lieutenant T. Irwin

Original WWII Canadian RCAF tunic and officers visor cap grouping.  This grouping belonged 425 Squadron RCAF Flight Lieutenant T. Irwin, observer on a Wellington Bomber HE-733, shot down April 14 1943, over Stuttgart Germany and taken prisoner of war.  The tunic is named to Irwin inside the pocket, shown in the photos. This information is included with the group on a printed sheet but beyond that we have not done any further research.  The dress tunic features original applied padded Observers Wings, Canada titles, and each cuff has two white and blue stripes for the rank of Flight Lieutenant. The visor cap is in good condition showing similar light wear to the jacket with finely hand embroidered RCAF cap badge.  Nice set with interesting provenance in great condition that would display well. $750 

#CD101 1st Canadian Army Artillery RCEME Battle Dress Blouse

Heavily worn and salty 1st Canadian Army Artillery RCEME (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers) battle dress blouse.  This soldier was likely a weapons technician for the artillery of the 1st Canadian Army. Features English made RCEME shoulder flashes, English made printed 1st Canadian Army artillery flashes, and overseas chevrons and trade chevron.  The period applied badges are nicely sunk down how they should be and slightly soiled and stained from period use. There is scattered small holes from mothing, and some snags in the material.  This tunic came from a clean collection but we gave this tunic the freezer treatment it to be extra cautious and ensure there is no live moths prior to shipping to our customers. The middle button is missing, but you can't really tell when it's done up and could easily be replaced.  One pocket has been removed, possibly the soldier wanted to remove it reduce weight and warmth or he needed the material for something else.  With the pocket removed, the date and manufacturer are not visible but this tunic is consistent with other 1944 manufactured examples.  A good entry level battle dress blouse that is guaranteed original and has probably seen action repairing the 1st Canadian Army's artillery arsenal at the front during WWII.  $175 

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#BS12 Royal Canadian Engineers Battle Dress Blouse

Royal Canadian Engineers battle dress blouse.  Original period applied embroidered Royal Canadian Engineers shoulder titles and single Lance Corporal chevrons. Service chevrons applied to the lower right sleeve representing four years of wartime service.  Lanyard original to tunic as found.  The blouse itself is Canadian made and dated 1942.  Good lightly worn condition, missing bottom button on front closer but with the strap done up you can't tell, was probably worn this way. Nice example! $325

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#CD199 Canadian Battle Dress Trousers

Original WWII Canadian battle dress trousers. Large size 11 that would be good for a standard modern mannequin.  Missing two buttons on the fly and the buttons on the leg cuffs have been removed, common period modifications and otherwise excellent with really nice wool and markings.  Will look great on a mannequin.  $125

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#CD127 Canadian Battle Dress Trousers

Original WWII Canadian battle dress trousers.  Excellent condition without modification and nicely marked with manufacturers information and C broad arrow.  1944 dated, size 1 (28-29 waist).  $150

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#BS144 Canadian Provost Corps Greatcoat 

Original WWII Canadian Provost Corps greatcoat.  Original period applied canvas shoulder titles and Lance Corporal rank chevrons.  Faint makers mark and sizing information, C broad arrow, and some of the original tag still intact.  Someone has removed all the buttons, however, a correct set of buttons is included and you can sew them back on easily. Aside from the buttons, the great coat is complete without damage.  $150

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#DW24 Tan HBT Utility Shirt 

Original WWII tan HBT utility shirt worn by Canadian soldiers in Italy.  Consignor reports this shirt came from a Canadian soldier who reported he wore it in the Italian theatre, and it is believed some shirts were acquired from American stores for service there. Construction is consistent with WWII American uniform items, making use of chain stitching for the main seems.  Similar British made shirts also exist, and we have priced this shirt in line with the British examples.  This is the only US example we've encountered.   Field worn with some minor fading, a snag in the rear of the garment has been period repaired and shown in the photos.  Interesting shirt!  $100

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https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/uniforms/khakidrill.htm

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#BS147 RN / RCN White Shoes

Original WWII Royal Navy (RN) or Canadian Navy (RCN) white uniform dress shoes. Maker marked and dated 1942. Size 7. Good service used pair with original laces. $125

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#BS24 Canadian 1942 'Plimsolls' 

Nice matching pair of Canadian manufactured 'Plimsolls' canvas shoes. These were the standard issue PT / gym shoes in khaki for the Army. Manufactured by Dominion Rubber Co. Ltd. in 1942 and marked accordingly on the interior sole of the show.  The bottom sole of the shoes are also C broad arrow marked. Perfect matching pair of Plimsoll's that would be very tough to upgrade. No laces present. $125

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#BS15 British / Canadian Army Officers Boots

British / Canadian Army officers boots with buckles. Manufactured by John White in 1945, M Fitt, Size 8.  War department marked. Super nice condition without flaw and only lightly worn.  Shown in use by members of 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion in Germany.  This is the perfect set to complete your officer mannequin or display!  $425

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#BSB1 Large Grouping to CQMS / Staff Sergeant Walter Hachborn of Home Hardware Fame

A large grouping to CQMS / Staff Sergeant Walter Hachborn of Home Hardware fame. He was born in Conestoga, Ontario on 24 July 1921. In 1939, at the age of 18, Walter enlisted and became a member of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in Canada. During the war, Walter's experience in Canada with material supply deemed him too important to be sent overseas to serve on the front lines.  This experience is what would also ultimately allow him to co-found a hardware empire.  The group consists of two wartime (1945) dated battle dress jackets and trousers and a summer khaki drill four pocket service dress. All uniforms have Canadian Voluntary Service Medal ribbons, RCOC shoulder titles, CANADA patches, rank insignia, Trade 2 patch, General Service patch and service stripes. There are also two additional shirts. Group also comes with two RCOC Coloured Field Service Caps and a standard khaki “wedge” cap. There is also an assortment of webbing (37 ptn belt, spats and housewife) and insignia to include a RCOC lanyard and insignia related to the sea cadets. Walter remained in the Army until 1946 when on returning to civie life he began work at Hollinger Hardware in St, Jacobs, Ontario. It will be his experience there that led to his desire to create a hardware empire. In 1999 he was appointed Member of the Order of Canada for “outstanding achievements and service in various fields of human endeavour.” Walter died on 16 December 2016.  Group was purchased direct from the family by consignor.  A very interesting and unique group to a famous Canadian.  $2250 *REDUCED* $2000

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One of many tributes to Walter including some interesting photos:

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SOLD

1st Canadian Division P.P.C.L.I. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry BD Blouse

Impressive 1st Canadian Division PPCLI Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle dress blouse.  Impressive period backed printed insignia!  This is exactly what they wore in combat, and perfect for a mannequin or display.  I believe this is a working battle dress, no signs of ribbons and nice used condition.  Nice blouse from a desirable unit and super tough to find! *Sold*

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1st Canadian Division Royal Canadian Regiment BD Blouse and Field Wedge Cap Group

Impressive 1st Canadian Division Royal Canadian Regiment battle dress blouse and field service wedge cap group.  Canadian made blouse dated 1943 with original applied insignia nicely sunken in exactly how it should be.  Field service wedge cap is also in excellent condition with original cap badge. Good mannequin size set, perfect for a display.  Excellent lightly worn condition without any notable flaws just showing a but of honest wear. Nice group from a desirable unit and super tough to find! *Sold*

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2nd Canadian Division Calgary Highlanders Battle Dress Group

Calgary Highlanders battle dress blouse and head dress grouping.  Canadian made blouse dated 1944 with original applied insignia nicely sunken in exactly how it should be.  Good large mannequin size, perfect for a combat display.  Excellent condition set in lightly worn condition without any notable flaws. *Sold*

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1st Canadian Division Signals Sergeant Battle Dress Blouse

1st Canadian Division signals sergeant battle dress blouse.  Original period applied insignia including printed 1st Div flash with R.C.C.S. marking (Royal Canadian Corps of Signals), printed Canada titles, overseas bars, and Sergeant rank chevrons. Good mannequin size.  Nice honest worn condition, probably a field worn working battle dress, there is no noticeable moth damage or signs or bad storage.  Produced in Jan 1943, when looking at the date it could read 43 or mistakingly read 45, however the tunic confirms it is a 43 based on the early collar closure and early buttons.  This is a great WWII tunic that very likely saw action in Italy. *Sold*

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Rifleman Joseph C. Frenette, Royal Rifles of Canada Grouping, Hong Kong and POW Veteran

This very interesting grouping belonged to Rifleman Joseph C. Frenette.  Rfn. Frenette fought in Hong Kong in 1941. At the end of the battle he was taken as a prisoner of war until the end of hostilities in 1945, when he arrived home to live the rest of his life.  He was one of the survivors who lived through years of cruelty and hard labour at the hands of the Japanese guards.  The included photos show Frenette prior to shipping off to Hong Kong (Original photo) a photo showing him in uniform upon being returned to Canada at the end of hostilities (Copy) and a photo of him outside of his home in Victoria B.C. during the 1970's (Original photo).  Also included in the grouping is Frenette's cap, with cap badge and backing.  When this group was acquired from the family by another collector, Frenette's wife stated he had this cap with him in the POW camp, however it is in surprisingly good condition if that is the case(?).  Frenette's rare and nice Royal Rifles of Canada lanyard.  Frenette's uniform removed Royal Rifles of Canada shoulder title, as well as golden thread 'CANADA' title which seem to appear only in Hong Kong groupings but not much is currently known about these rare titles. Frenette's uniform removed overseas bars including the 39'r bar.  And most exciting, Frenette's uniform removed Hong Kong patch and very rare Hong Kong pin/button (All of this insignia is shown in wear in the photo from the end of the war!).  These kind of groupings to soldiers who survived famous battles and captivity are extremely uncommon, Hong Kong groups rarely ever come around and this one includes a nice cap as well as very rare insignia items.  The final three images have been uploaded to show the fighting at Hong Kong as well as some images of the survivors to show what these soldiers had to endure. *Sold*

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Pte Nauss #51550 Named Battle Dress Grouping, 1 Canadian Army HQ

Impressive battle dress grouping of Pte. Nauss #51550.  Pte Nauss landed in France in July 1944 and was a driver attached to the Lincoln & Welland Regiment until April 1945 when he ended up with 1 Canadian Army Headquarters.  This battle dress represents his time with 1 Cdn Army HQ.  Undoubtedly Pte Nauss was involved with moving troops to some tough battles.  The group includes his battle dress blouse, trousers, and a letter found within one of the pockets. His battle dress blouse is appropriately 1944 dated, and his trousers while having faint markings are WWII Canadian issue as well.  Both his blouse and trousers are nicely named, which is rather uncommon.  All insignia is period applied and everything is completely untouched exactly how it came home.  I have a digital copy of his file which will be e-mailed to the buyer, it is shown in the photos.  This is a great battle dress group of an RCASC soldier who served in combat during WWII with excellent provenance. *Sold*

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Glengarrians D-Day Veteran Cpl Darling Grouping

Unique small group to Glengarrian infantry D-Day veteran Cpl Darling C53800.  Cpl Darling departed for England with the Glengarrians in 1941 and took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France on 6 June 1944.  While the unit pushed into France, Cpl Darling was shot in the stomach during a firefight with the Germans.  Once wounded, Cpl Darling required multiple surgeries in England prior to returning home.  The first letter home to his mother Cpl Darling describes the fighting in France one month after landing on D-Day prior to being wounded.  The first letter to mom avoids any grim details and talks mostly about the weather and the Canadians strong fighting ability, he says he has good morale thanks to a steady supply of cigarettes.  The second letter to his mom he informs her that he is recovering from multiple surgeries to remove a bullet from his stomach. Reading the second letters it seems Cpl Darling is somewhat relieved to let his mother know he is going to be okay despite his wounds and he will be returning home alive and well.  I found the letters to be very enjoyable to read.  Aside from the important historical letters, there are several other rare artifacts included.  The first highlight is a rare and desirable canvas 'GLENGARRIANS CANADA' shoulder title along with his cap badge (one broken lug) and ribbon bar.  The biggest highlight of this group is something I have never encountered before, Cpl Darling was photographed by a Canadian Army photographer holding a captured Nazi armband and this photo was published in a 1945 dated newspaper with an interesting story about how the armband supposedly came from the 'SS trooper' who shot him, and states he 'got him with a grenade'.  Is it possible this story is true?  I'm not so sure, but what is definitely true is that the included Nazi armband is the EXACT armband he is shown holding in the photo! If you are a German militaria collector, you will be familiar with this armband as a nice original NSDAP armband with machine woven swastika.  The group includes everything shown in the above photos.  This is a GREAT group that you will enjoy from a real D-Day infantryman who was wounded in direct action defeating the Third Reich.  Fresh out of the woodwork and never in a collection before, came out of shoebox at the families estate that was not opened since 1950. *Sold*

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