A CARLISLE museum has received a unique donation of the Second World War bush hat as worn by acclaimed local author George MacDonald Fraser.
Simon Fraser, his son, donated the well-worn headwear on a visit to the Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, in Carlisle Castle. "It still has the muck and sweat of the jungle," he said.
George MacDonald Fraser served in the 9th Battalion, The Border Regiment part of what was known as the Forgotten Army.
Jules Wooding, museum manager, said: "It is a great privilege to receive the bush hat for the museum collections. Preserving and conserving items such as the bush hat ensures that the Forgotten Army are not forgotten, that we not only remember George MacDonald Fraser but all those from the regiment that found themselves in the jungles of Burma.
"We are grateful to the Fraser family for donating this iconic item."
Fraser was born in Carlisle in 1925 and went on to become the well-known author of the Flashman novels and a film scriptwriter.
He was educated at Carlisle Grammar School and Glasgow Academy before joining the Border Regiment in 1943 and serving in the Burma campaign. His personal memoir Quartered Safe Out Here (1992) recounts his service during this period.
On discharge, he became a trainee journalist at the Carlisle Journal, continuing his newspaper career in Canada and as deputy editor of the Glasgow Herald. His writing career began in 1966 and included 12 Flashman novels. He died in 2008.
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