Code: 54476
An original pair of early WW2 British Army Denim Fatigue trousers in worn condition which belonged to Harold Ronald Thorold who served with the 9th Parachute regiment during the Second World War.
14859388 Private Thorold enlisted in the East Surrey regiment in late 1944 before transfering into A company of the 9th Parachute regiment at the beginning of 1945. He stayed with the regiment in the immediate post-war years as did many soldiers waiting to be demobbed when the war was finished. He went to Palestine with the regiment in 1946 and was at Haifa where he was stationed until the middle of 1947. He was transferred to 30 Platoon S Company at some stage as these details are written inside one of his battledress jackets which were found with the trousers. Originally born in Lambeth in 1926, Harold joined the 9th Battalion (eastern counties) Parachute Regiment and stayed living near Ipswich after the war. Harold passed away at the beginning of 2022 and these trousers along with other uniform items were found on his property.
These trousers were made as part of the two piece fatigue battledress set which was designed to be worn over the top of the wool battledress. The design was introduced in 1939 and replaced the earlier fatigues issued during the Great War and inter-war period. These trousers are made from the brown coloured denim material which was only used for a short period as a stop-gap following the loss of 20,000 sets of denims left in France during the retreat to Dunkirk.
The trousers are cut with a wide leg and a high rise and feature a double pleated first field dressing pocket to the right hip which fastens with a stamped brass button. A large map pocket is located to the left thigh and features a covered button which is another notable feature of the early pattern, as are the belt loops fitted around the waist. The fly fastens with stamped brass buttons and more are located around the waist to which braces can be attached. Slash pockets are located to each hip which also feature an opening to allow access to clothing worn under the trousers. Tabs are located to the bottom of each leg as are usually found on this early pattern. The Original label is still present to the rear but has been washed out leaving no details legible.
The trousers are designed to be worn over the battledress uniform so should be worn oversize for an authentic fit. When laid flat they measure -
Waist - 17 1/2"
Rise - 16"
Rear rise - 19"
Inside leg - 30 1/2"
Outside leg - 44"
Cuff - 9 1/2"
The trousers are in distressed condition with some large holes as illustrated in the pictures. The map pocket has been removed from the front leg as is often done with these trousers. Please take time to study the pictures before purchasing and bear in mind that these are damaged and sold as a display item and not for wearing.
A rare pair of original early war British work trousers which are attributed to a parachute regiment soldier.
