Beret : Major A B Garland, 1 Squadron, Special Air Services Regiment

Place Asia: Borneo
Accession Number REL/10846
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Headdress
Physical description Embroidery cotton thread, Felt, Gold bullion wire, Petersham ribbon, Polished cotton
Maker Herbert Johnson, London
Place made United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London
Date made c 1950s-1960s
Conflict Indonesian Confrontation, 1962-1966
Description

Fawn felt beret with adjustable black ribbon headband. The beret has a pair of blackened brass ventilation eyelets at the rear and an embroidered Special Air Service badge on the front. The badge, made of black felt, is embroidered with a winged dagger in gold bullion wire edged with red cotton. Overlaid on the blade of the dagger is a blue banner containing the words 'WHO DARES WINS' in black cotton. The beret is lined with quilted khaki polished cotton, and has a diamond makers' label inside the crown and a reinforcing panel behind the badge.

History / Summary

Beret worn by Major Alfred Barrett ('Alf') Garland while commanding 1 Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment, in Borneo during 1965. During this period, 1 SAS was engaged in covert cross border 'Claret' operations into Indonesian territory as part of the response to the Indonesian government's policy of 'Confrontation' with the newly formed state of Malaysia. Alf Garland, who had previously served in Korea, was later second in command of 7 Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam, (1967-68) before serving as Liaison Officer to the American II Field Force Vietnam. He retired with the rank of brigadier in 1984, and following a successful period as National President of the Returned and Services League of Australia, died in March 2002.