Poland. A British-Made Airborne Beret, C.1943 certificate_of_authenticity 1916 at the Toronto Recruiting

1916 at the Toronto Recruiting Depot

He was single and his civilian occupation was Schlachter (Butcher)

there are only two known recipients of the Iron Trefoil First Class Cross with Oakleaves: Leader of the Independent State of Croatia

but WWI medals were originally mounted and worn by the veteran as evidenced by the pitting on the BWM

scattered paint chipping and surface wear

Poland. A British-Made Airborne Beret, C.1943 certificate_of_authenticity 1916 at the Toronto RecruitingBeret with an Army green wool upper, with a 40 mm (w) x 55 mm (h) white embroidered Polish Army eagle insignia on a navy blue wool base sewn in place on the left side, a burlap support behind the insignia. There are two brown finished magnetic metal ventilation eyelets on the right side, plus a 12 mm wide black nylon border along the open end. The inside is lined in black cotton with stampings in white, size marked "7 1 8", maker marked "BRITISH BERET