RCAF Flying Officer's Peaked Cap

WWII RCAF Officer's Peaked Cap - "The London Cap, Montreal" - Unique Father & Son Operational Hand-Me-Down (Named to A.L. & A.E. Rivers). An outstanding, 100% original wartime Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Officer's Peaked Cap. This cap is the definition of a true "combat-flown" artifact, featuring the legendary and heavily sought-after "Fifty-Mission Crush" look. Rather than sitting safely behind a desk at headquarters, this cap saw real operational action. The wire stiffener was removed from the crown during the war, allowing heavy winter flying headsets to be clamped over the headgear during grueling bombing runs and fighter sorties over occupied Europe.

The exterior shows beautiful, untouched age-patina, minor service soot, and characterful wear on the wool fabric. On the front sits a gorgeous, padded gold-bullion King's Crown RCAF officer's badge with deeply toned wire stiching. The Interior & The Double-Named Family History (Incredible Provenance):

The inside of the cap tells a breathtaking genealogical and military story:
• The Maker's Label: The center features the woven golden silk label of "The London Cap, Montreal", one of Canada's most exclusive wartime tailors. The sweatband shows heavy, dark sweat-staining and grease marks, proving extensive and intensive frontline use.
• The Father's Stamp: Crisp and professionally inked into the light-tan silk lining reads: "A. L. RIVERS,". This belongs to Flight Lieutenant Alfred Leonard Rivers, a World War I veteran who served as a senior administrative and technical officer within the Canadian RCAF flight training depots.

Hand-written directly onto the leather sweatband reads: "RIVERS AE". These initials belong to his son, Flying Officer Arthur Edward Rivers (Service No. C/16489). Born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1920, Arthur successfully passed the rigorous RCAF pilot training program. Upon earning his wings and commission, he took his father's trusted cap with him to combat operations in the European Theater, proudly marking his own initials (A.E.) onto the leather sweatband to claim ownership of this prized family heirloom. Arthur survived his operational tours and passed away on July 13, 1984, in Syracuse, New York.