| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/00042.004 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Headdress |
| Physical description | Wool gabardine; Polished cotton; Velveteen |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Forage cap : Wing Commander J K Douglas, RAAF
Description
RAAF blue woollen forage cap with oxidised brass crown and eagle on left hand side. The two buttons at the front are made of black plastic. The cap is lined with polished cotton with a velveteen sweatband. A white cotton label is sewn inside the left hand side and reads 'J.K. Douglas' embroidered in blue italics.
History / Summary
The uniform tunic of 403564 Wing Commander John Keith Douglas, DFC, AFC. Born in Tamworth, NSW, Douglas was one of the RAAF's outstanding leaders, having seen extensive service with 103 and 166 Squadrons, RAF, before taking command of 460 (Lancaster) Squadron, RAAF in early 1944. Aged just 22, he thus became the youngest Australian squadron commander, and one of the youngest in Bomber Command. In October 1944 he was posted to command 467 Squadron RAAF, again flying Lancasters. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943 and the Air Force Cross in 1944. Douglas was shot down and killed near Munster, Germany, after attacking the Dortmund-Ems canal on 8 February, 1945. He is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, near Kleve in western Germany.