Officer's peaked cap : Flight Lieutenant G Mc Bride, RAAF, 101 Beach Squadron RAF

RAAF blue wool barathea officer's peaked cap with black mohair band, black patent leather chinstrap secured by two black plastic RAAF buttons, and a gold bullion embroidered cap badge with King's crown and gilded brass eagle. THere is a pair of ventilation eyeltes on each side of the crown. The brown leather sweatband is stamped 'Real Roan Leather'. The crown is lined with quilted grey polished cotton twill.

Glenorchy McBride, born 1901, was considered too old to serve in the RAAF in WW2, and instead answered a British RAF advertisment for administrative officers, which was accepted. His initial postings were to India, Burma, China and the Maldives before he had himself posted back to Britain for treatment for alleged incipient insanity. The medical assesment was reversed once he reached England.

In the run up to the D-Day landings he was appointed a Beachmaster with Combined Operations, but refused to accept the position unless he could land as an Australian, wearing an Australian uniform. Such was his reputation for efficiency that he was hastily discharged from the RAF, enlisted in the RAAF (although nominally attached to 101 Beach Squadron RAF) and provided with an RAAF uniform. He was the only member of the RAAF to served on the Normandy beaches on D-Day.