RARE WWII Service Dress Owned by Sgt JW Dudley 14 RCA KIA Dieppe

Offered is a rare opportunity to own a piece of history from the tragedy at Dieppe, 19 Aug 1942. Sgt John Wilce Dudley, born Oct 10, 1918 joined the Militia with the 14th Midland Battery. When war broke he was a Sergeant. He was enlisted in the permanent force Sep 4, 1939 in Coburg. He was transferred to 2Bty 4 RCA and likely reported for duty in this uniform wearing it until the issue of the new 1937 Pattern Battledress. He was a participant in the Dieppe Raid with 4 RCA, 2nd Cdn Div. He was a gun layer and was likely in the recce party in the first wave to site the guns. He was KIA that day and his body never recovered. He is memorialized on the wall of the Brookwood Memorial, Surrey, UK.

The uniform is in over all excellent condition with the Montreal manufacture stamp dated 1932. The mans Serial number is written on the interior waist making it possible to confirm pedigree. The following is missing insignia from the uniform:

Sgt stripes, (threads still present)
Right collar bdage
both RCA titles

It appears the Gun Layer insignia and stirpes were only on the right arm, typical of pre war militia practice. There is a tiny moth hole on the left arm. Included are his breeches. These pants were still in use because the militia continued to use the 18 Pdr and horses to draw the limber and gun. The trousers have some minor mothing.

TO acquire Dieppe related items is rare, especially to a soldier KIA. His BD was obviously lost in combat, this is all that remains of his service legacy. A great item for a serious Dieppe collector.

Code: 51839