Original British Unit Marked Parachute Regiment 1959 Pattern Denison Smock – 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of a genuine 1959 Pattern Denison Smock, dating from 1961-1962 manufactured by BMC (only manufacturer of 59 patterns up until 1963). This example is offered in excellent, field used condition. It features brass buttons and a “monkey tail”. Size appears to be a No. 4 which is medium/large and fits up to a 5′ 8″ man.

The service number is too difficult to make out properly as is the name, but the unit appears to be labeled as “6 Para Bn”, which would be for the 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion.

A lovely example ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 11.5″
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 21.5”
Chest width: 29”
Waist width: 27″
Hip width: 27”
Front length: 31

The 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion was an airborne infantry battalion of the Parachute Regiment raised by the British Army during the Second World War.

The battalion was created in 1942 by the conversion of the 10th (Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers to parachute duties. It was then assigned to the 2nd Parachute Brigade, at that time serving in the 1st Airborne Division in England.

The battalion’s first combat action was in 1943, when it participated in an amphibious landing, Operation Slapstick, at the port of Taranto in Italy. When the 1st Airborne Division left Italy, the battalion, still with the 2nd Parachute Brigade, remained behind, where it took part in the Battle of Monte Cassino.

The battalion’s first combat parachute jump was during Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of the south of France. Soon after the invasion, the battalion returned to Italy and took part in a second combat parachute jump, Operation Manna in Greece.

After the Second World War the battalion became part of the 6th Airborne Division and served in Palestine. Post war reductions in the British Armed Forces resulted in the battalion being amalgamated with the 4th Parachute Battalion in 1947.