The Old and the Bold: Denison Smock

Alan Lee, formerly of The Parachute Regiment, gives his thoughts on the Denison Smock, or Parachutist Smock, an item of uniform he wore during his service in the Second World War (1944-45).
'The Old and the Bold' is just one of the community projects being run by the National Army Museum as part of its 'Building for the Future' redevelopment project.
Find out more at www.nam.ac.uk/m...

[@snipper1ie]

My son (ex 2REP) was walking home in Marseille and saw an arty ammo box sitting out for the bin men. Too good to throw out says he and brought it home, on opening it what was inside but a WW2 vintage Denison smock.

[@danielbush5438]

snipper1ie That is so darn cool.

[@joshboy1st]

God bless this man and other vets.id wish there was a film done on the brits like band of brothers

[@ardshielcomplex8917]

Agreed.

[@Niels_Dn]

Band ‘o mates 👍🏼

[@joekurtz8303]

Been collecting surplus military stuff since a kid, seen a Denison smock once, and didn't get it at the local thrift store, lots of S.E. Asian Era surplus. My only regret as it was a well made heavy duty smock.and in very good Condition.

[@jamesbailand4311]

Search, Henry John Neare & Co for a perfect repo.

[@ardshielcomplex8917]

I have an original, and my Australian issue Para smock, Aust pattern cam but still the Dennison Smock pattern ; theres nothing better both for Parachuting and overall practical use after the Jump.

[@peilighthorse]

And the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion also fought in the Bulge.

[@Crash-zm2qd]

My grandad wore one when he served in ta in 1963 have a picture of him in Cyprus with his smock, crash helmet and wings.

[@romeo9017]

Respect...

[@charlesinglin]

I've wondered on occasion why the American paratroops didn't adopt the British brush stroke camo pattern for their M1942 uniform, or for that matter, just adopt the Denison Smock en masse. The M1942's had been largely worn out by the end of the Normandy campaign and were replaced with the M43 uniform. The Denison's would have been as good, if not better because of the camo scheme.

[@TheBritishLegions]

yes Bure was the place they had to take!

[@DisdainusMaximus]

No. The Americans didn't copy it.

[@joshboy1st]

God bless this man and other vets.id wish there was a film done on the brits like band of brothers

[@kevm3821]

He's actually holding a repro Denison.....nice one though....personally I've been collecting Airborne kit since the early 1980s....love the stuff but my poor long suffering partner's losing the battle of space with my Jeep, trailer, de-ac weaponry, uniforms, kit etc bless her!!!