Paratrooper Battledress and Beret – D.E. Jilks 2 Forward Observation Unit

Rare opportunity to purchase an original WW2 Canadian Paratrooper/Airborne Battle Dress and Beret, named to gunner Douglas Edward Jilks with army number B-113760. Jilks volunteered for parachute duties with airborne forces while serving with the Royal Artillery during World War 2. He undertook his training on course 139 from 28 October till 9 November 1944 at RAF Ringway. The course report states: “Gnr Jilks has made satisfactory progress, very quiet but confident”. After qualifying he joined No 2 (Airborne) Forward Observation Unit (FOU) Royal Artillery and took part in the subsequent campaigns in North West Europe in 1945. He jumped at Operation Varsity in 1945. He tells his personal experience in the book The Last Drop at page 55, and page 78 to 82. Very detailed and interesting to read! Doug Jilks was part of the 3rd Parachute Brigade. This book comes with the uniform. Are you nterested to read more about the 2 Forward Observation Unit, please take a look at this website: https://nebula.wsimg.com/944ab7c55e616fc0415c02f4e4c9718e?AccessKeyId=BC21553F553BBD27F066&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
The Battle Dress tunic is in good used condition with a small damage on the back caused by usage. All insignia is wartime applied and original to the blouse. The jacket is dated March 1945 with size 5. According the former owner, who got it about 20 years ago from the family Jilks, this should be Doug Jilks BD what was worn in the field (underneath the Denison smock), they kept his home coming jacket in the family! His name and number are written on the inside pocket. The beret is British made Kangol Wear Limited and in stunning condition, dated 1945.

This Jilks grouping was part of my private collection, hopefully it finds another good home! Groupings like this with provonance comes rarely up for sale.

The wartime picture shows Doug Jilks with his good friend Bruce Kerr in Greven, Germany April 5 1945. Very sad, Bruce Kerr was killed the next day and is buried at Holten Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands.