British WWII Royal Naval Air Service Hat Grouping

A wonderful and personal Royal Naval Air Service grouping from WWII, centred around a beautifully preserved naval cap featuring a superb bullion, metal, and velvet cap badge. The cap retains its WWI-style narrow chinstrap, shows no moth damage, and is approximately size 56. The interior displays a well-preserved tan lining with excellent colour and the classic multi-stitched crown typical of WWI construction. The maker’s details, from Luton, Bedfordshire, are gilt-blocked beneath a King’s Crown.

Included is a photograph of the cap being worn by Fleet Air Arm Observer John Frankton, confirming its provenance. Also accompanying the group is the Wrens cap belonging to his wife, then Miss Crow, featuring an HMS cap tally and no moth damage. The inner leather lining bears handwritten signatures from her friends at the time, and the grouping also includes a photograph of her wearing the cap, as well as a faded image of her later as a Petty Officer in the Wrens, annotated on the reverse “Miss Crow age 18, 1944.”

A charming and historically rich family group, offering a unique insight into the service and lives of two wartime naval personnel.

Ref; 95041