I have owned several Irvins from Wareings' contract B22534 which dates to 1939, but this is by far the best preserved. It has all the typical "house" features of Wareings' jackets, large collar rings, a squared-end collar, wide belt loops and narrow seam tapes.The exterior polyacrylate finish is completely in tact and there is almost no wear the fleece. There are no patches or repairs to the skin side of the sheepskin. The Dot zips work very well with their original pulls. Often these jackets have lost their label, but this one has not and it is quite clear to read. It is tagged a size 40, but fits larger and would equate to a size 5.
Very often there is no provenance with Irvins. However this one belonged to Flight Lieutenant and latterly Squadron Leader R E Blake, who was awarded the DFC in January 1944 ’for courage, determination and devotion to duty’ whilst serving with 459 Squadron of the RAAF. This squadron served as a maritime patrol and bomber unit in the Mediterranean theatre of war until it was disbanded in 1945. I have copies of some correspondence regarding Blake's DFC along with copy his Flight Record as well as some contemporary newspaper cuttings following his decoration.
No 459 Squadron was formed at LG 39/Burg-el-Arab, Egypt on 10 February 1942 under the Empire Air Training Scheme. The Squadron was initially equipped with Lockheed Hudson and Bristol Blenheim aircraft and operated in the maritime reconnaissance role. During 1942 and early 1943 the Squadron operated against German shipping in the Mediterranean and sank a number of ships including a destroyer. In September 1943 the Squadron temporally changed roles to become a bomber unit. The Squadron was equipped with Lockheed Venturas from March to July 1944, when it was re-equipped with Martin Baltimore aircraft.
No 459 Squadron continued operating around the Greek islands until March 1945, when it was posted to the United Kingdom. No 459 Squadron shortly thereafter disbanded at RAF Chivenor, Devon on 10 April 1945.
Very often there is no provenance with Irvins. However this one belonged to Flight Lieutenant and latterly Squadron Leader R E Blake, who was awarded the DFC in January 1944 ’for courage, determination and devotion to duty’ whilst serving with 459 Squadron of the RAAF. This squadron served as a maritime patrol and bomber unit in the Mediterranean theatre of war until it was disbanded in 1945. I have copies of some correspondence regarding Blake's DFC along with copy his Flight Record as well as some contemporary newspaper cuttings following his decoration.
No 459 Squadron was formed at LG 39/Burg-el-Arab, Egypt on 10 February 1942 under the Empire Air Training Scheme. The Squadron was initially equipped with Lockheed Hudson and Bristol Blenheim aircraft and operated in the maritime reconnaissance role. During 1942 and early 1943 the Squadron operated against German shipping in the Mediterranean and sank a number of ships including a destroyer. In September 1943 the Squadron temporally changed roles to become a bomber unit. The Squadron was equipped with Lockheed Venturas from March to July 1944, when it was re-equipped with Martin Baltimore aircraft.
No 459 Squadron continued operating around the Greek islands until March 1945, when it was posted to the United Kingdom. No 459 Squadron shortly thereafter disbanded at RAF Chivenor, Devon on 10 April 1945.
