Pile cap : Sergeant R J Brennan, Royal Australian Air Force

American Army pile cap as issued to Australian forces during the Korean War. The cap is made of olive green cotton poplin, and has a crown lining of woollen fabric. The fold-up brim and ear pieces are lined with olive green synthetic fur, and the earpieces can be secured beneath the chin by a cotton cord. The same cord is used to fasten the earflaps on top of the crown when not in use. A white cotton label inside the left hand crown is printed in black with the words 'CAP, FIELD, PILE (1) Earlaps on top of cap - slip cord from left earlap through loop of right earlap and tie. (2) Adjust liner headband to fit over cap before helmet is needed.' The name 'BRENNAN REX' is also written on the label in blue ink.

The US Army issue 'Cap, Field, Pile' was designed to provide protection against extremes of cold and wind, and could be worn alone or under the US M-1 steel helmet (in which case it was necessary to lower the earflaps and visor). They were issued in large numbers to Australians in Korea, who often personalised them by the addition of 'Rising Sun' badges and/or 'AUSTRALIA' shoulder titles. This cap was worn by A2407 Sergeant Rex Brennan during his service in Korea. Brennan joined the RAAF in May 1945, and later volunteered to serve with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces, arriving in Japan to join 81 Wing in June 1947. He helped to form, and later manage, a service radio broadcasting unit which received the US call sign WKLU, and after the outbreak of the war in Korea produced a number of recorded broadcasts from the frontline around Taegu, at the limit of the North Korean advance. These broadcasts were later heard in Australia on radio 2CH as 'Report from Korea'. Rex Brennan returned to Australia in January 1951.