The legendary maroon beret - On this day

Why the maroon beret?

ON THIS DAY - 29 July 1942, the 'maroon beret' was adopted by the British Airborne Forces. The red beret became the iconic headscarf of air landing forces around the world .

It was first worn by the Parachute Regiment in November 1942 during action in North Africa. It is reported the colour was actually chosen by his wife, Daphne du Maurier.

It is also now an international symbol of elite airborne forces with many parachute qualified and special forces around the world wearing maroon coloured berets.

For wannabe paras it’s the end goal of all the hard work and training it takes to joining the Parachute Regiment. Para Recruits actually wear the maroon beret at the 6 weeks point when they pass off the square, green backing is behind the regimental cap badge to show they have not yet passed p-company.

In 1943, during the Second World War, Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Browning, commander of the British I Airborne Corps, granted a battalion of the US Army's 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment honorary membership in the British Parachute Regiment and authorised them to wear British-style maroon berets.

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