Named WW2 Royal Signallers Uniform Grouping - Operation Varsity Veteran

Description

A Second World War Royal Corps of Signals uniform group belonging to K. W. Starling, service number 14965734.

The group comprises a 1940 Pattern, Size 10 battledress blouse and matching trousers, together with a dispatch rider’s helmet and a green felt shoulder flash, which was found in the pocket of the blouse. Both the battledress blouse and trousers are named to Starling. The helmet is unnamed, but was acquired with the uniform from the family.

The date on the blouse label is no longer visible; however, the tunic bears a “Z” stamp above the WD broad arrow, indicating acceptance in 1945.

According to provenance supplied by the family, K. W. Starling had previously worked for the General Post Office as a telephone engineer. His employment was regarded as a reserved occupation, initially preventing him from joining the Armed Forces. He eventually joined the British Army in late September 1944 and was posted to the Royal Corps of Signals, where he served as a dispatch rider.

Family history further records that Starling was sent to the Parachute Regiment for basic training and subsequently took part in Operation Varsity, the Allied airborne operation across the Rhine in March 1945, during which he was wounded in combat.

Provenance: Acquired from the family of K. W. Starling. Details of his wartime service and the history of the group were recorded in email correspondence from the family which is also included in paper format.

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