#denisonsmock

This amazing Denison smock was owned by Sgt Matthew Leighton-Hall who served as a glider pilot from 1942 through till 1944. It was purchased directly from the family who believe he was stationed in the Hastings area in the south of England. After the war this keen glider pilot went on to form a civilian gliding club in the Lakes area. It is believed he continued to wear the smock for sport flying. There are many interesting details to be found upon this smock, as with many glider pilots, Hall chose to affix a detachable collar that was originally part of a Sidcot flying suit. The collar has been attached by riveted ‘Bulldog’ buttons that could be purchased from any haberdashery of the time, he also added his glider pilot wings to the left chest. (Note the coloured strip of cloth on the left epaulette that identifies Halls subunit within the Glider Pilot Regiment.) This smock was featured in the Bruce Wilson publication ‘Denison’ in collaboration with the Airbourne Assault Museum & MM (Military Mode) publishing & was also for sale on eBay for £5k a few weeks back. #denisonsmock #vintagesmock #ww2 #1940s #denison #smock #camouflage #camo #vintagemenswear #vintagestyle #wwii #dday #gliderpilotregiment #parachuteregiment (at Hastings, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIY0JubjlnM/?igshid=1eu2zt6v07zen

Officers of 2nd Parachute Battalion Capt. R. Stark, Lt. J. Brayley, & Maj. R. Ashford. Tunisia, December 1942. (Second image zoom) Maj. Ashford. Note the Fairbairn–Sykes knife on his left thigh. These are the first ‘Trousers Parachutist’ the ‘37 pattern standard issue that were modified at unit level to a high specification & level of workmanship. Buttoned ankle straps have been applied to the left outside thigh to facilitate the carrying of the Fairbairn Sykes knife (see images 3&4) & a large chamois lined front left thigh pocket applied for the carrying & protection of precious maps. Other modifications would include multiple ammunition & dressing pockets and in some cases an alternative internal jet pocket on the thigh to house the Fairbairn Sykes knife. Major Ashford was killed a few days after this photo was taken. #fairbairnsykesfightingknife #fairbairnsykes #paratroopers #paratroopregiment #uniform #trousersparachutist #paras #37pattern #denisonsmock #camouflage #ww2 #1942 #vintagephoto #vintagemenswear #vintageworkwear #vintagestyle #ruggedstyle #formfollowsfunction https://www.instagram.com/p/B_uXnveDNpi/?igshid=40odxgllzqbg

Lieutenant General Sir M.C. Dempsey (right) with the 21st Army Group commander, General Sir Bernard Montgomery (centre) and U.S. First Army commander, Lieutenant General Omar Bradley (left), 10 June 1944. - #denisonsmock #vintagesmock #monty #bernardmontgomery #milesdempsey #omarbradley #ww2 #vintagemenswear #vintagestyle #1940s #ruggedstyle #vintagephoto https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NG1wYJUuj/?igshid=1j4zs0wfauh1j

The Welbike was a British motorcycle produced during World War II. It had the distinction of being the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Armed Forces. Between 1942 and 1943, 3,641 units were built. Some were issued to the British 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions and some were used at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. Designed to fit into a CLE Canister (the standard parachute airdrop container). There was very limited space, so the Welbike, which was carried in the container at an angle, had no suspension, no lights and just a single rear brake. Once deployed, they were easily assembled and ready for use as quickly as possible. The aim was that a paratrooper could remove the Welbike from its special green container (which was marked in white lettering with the words Motor Cycle and its easily identified coloured parachute), and be on the road within 11 seconds. Powered by a Villiers 98 cm3 (6.0 cu in) single-cylinder two-stroke petrol engine. The range on maximum capacity of 6.5 imperial pints (3.7 L; 7.8 US pt) of fuel was 90 miles (140 km) at about 30 mph (48 km/h). - Who used to read Commando? - #welsbike #ww2 #commandocomics #commado #para #parachuteregiment #airbourne #denisonsmock #stengun #worldwar2 #wwii #comics #kidsstuff #formfollowsfunction https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UEO3VDwu7/?igshid=e5f66iqsus5l

Field Marshall Montgomery & Lieutenant General Horrocks in a shearling duffle coat with similar construction to the early Irvin flying jacket, such a simple design but such a great boxy silhouette. I’m sure we’ll be seeing this soon. - #montymonday #denisonsmock #vintagesmock #WW2 #1940s #vintagedufflecoat #beret #sheepskindufflecoat #sheepskincoat #windak #monty #bernardmontgomery #brianhorrocks #vintagemenswear #vintagestyle #ruggedstyle #vintagephoto #formfollowsfunction https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zoz2BJtKX/?igshid=2el0wpufpyga

Private J Donald, a sniper with 'C' Company, 4th King's Own Scottish Borderers, Holland, 11 December 1944. - #windproofsmock #windproofanorak #WW2 #1940s #denisonsmock #vintageworkwear #vintagedenim #vintagestyle #vintagemenswear #ruggedstyle #vintagephoto #sniper #scrimscarf #scrim https://www.instagram.com/p/B9B55ygplw7/?igshid=izu5115gk1cb

Major General RN Gale, GOC 6th Airbourne Division, Normandy - 10th of June 1944. - #denison #denisonsmock #vintagesmock #smock #ww2 #parachuteregiment #para #windak #airbourne #1940s #barrandstroad #menswear #mensstyle #ruggedstyle #britishstyle #formfollowsfunction https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ceNN-pNgM/?igshid=1sozkrttkqher

Commanders in Operation "VERITABLE", February 1945 The G.O.C.-in-C. First Canadian Army with corps and divisional commanders, near Cleve, 19 February. From left to right, Brigadier M. Elrington, Acting G.O.C. 53rd (Welsh Division); Major-Genera G. Ivor Thomas, 43rd (Wessex) Division; Lieut.-General Sir Brian Horrocks, 30th Corps; Major-General C.M. Barber, 15th (Scottish) Division; General Crerar; Major-General D.C. Spry, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division; Lieut.-General G.G. Simonds, 2nd Canadian Corps; Major-General A.B. Matthews, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. - #ww2 #denisonsmock #jeepjacket #dufflecoat #pixiesuit #dispatchridercoat #brianhorrocks #windak #wwii #1940s #vintagestyle #vintagemenswear #ruggedstyle #vintagephoto https://www.instagram.com/p/B-b3pgNDpMe/?igshid=1fdiabnxucf9k