Black and white photo of R.A.A.F. Band at Opening of Nunawading Civic Centre, plus copy.nunawading civic centre, r.a.a.f. band

This slouch hat belonged to Royal Australian Air Force serviceman/woman Forsyth. Khaki-coloured slouch hat with folded cotton band with blue strip around brim; gold coloured badge depicting a wreath with crown atop and ornamental letters “RAAF”. Four plastic eyelets at crow of hat and signature fold on crown. Wide brim edged with brown coloured binding. A hook on the left crown and left brim attach together to lift one side of the hat. On interior, brown leather chinstrap with metal adjustable buckle ad black leather sweatband stitched in with zig-zag black stitching and secured by khaki silk bow at back. Bow attaches a card reading “58” in a circle. Sticker on interior centre in brown and metallic gold. Size sticker hidden underneath sweatband reads “58 7 1/8”Label on interior of cotton band reads “A.G.C.F./VIC 1989 [broad arrow]/SIZE. 58/8405-66.[crossed out 109-5392]033-5309”. Handwritten on interior brim “FORSYTH”. Size labels read “58” and “58 7 1/8”. Sticker reads “COMMANDO/WOOL SLOUCH HAT/MELBOURNE”uniform, royal australian air force, raaf, r.a.a.f., slouch hat, 1980s

This hat was part of a RAAF uniform and likely dates to the Second World War due to the style of crown. Hats such as these are often misshapen at the crown due to the use of earmuff-style headphones worn by aircrew during the Second World. Navy peaked cap in cotton with beige topstitching along crown. Black cotton grosgrain ribbon band. Black leather chin strap buttoned to left and right with black metal button carrying image of crown atop eagle. Centre of hat carries embroidered patch with crown in gold-coloured metal and red fabric with red and green additions mimicking jewels. Crown sits above two metal shapes, an eagle with arms outstretched and laurel branches. Two eyelets on left and right side of the cap, bronze on interior and painted black on exterior. Interior of cap brim is green plastic or patent leather now cracked. Interior of hat cotton is dark cotton with quilted top.second world war, royal australian air force, raaf, r.a.a.f., flying, uniform, world war ii, world war two, world war 2