Historical information

The Chart displays unit colour patches worn by members of the Australian military forces during world war 2. the Australian Military forces consisted of the 2nd Australian Imperial Forces and the Permanent Military Forces

Significance

During the world wars and the years in between, Australian soldiers wore cloth patches of various shapes and colours on their upper sleeves to indicate to which unit or formation they belonged. The use of colour patches was discontinued in 1949 when the British system of embroidered shoulder titles, formation signs and lanyards was adopted.

In July 1987 colour patches were reintroduced in order to foster the Army’s heritage and are now worn on the right side of the puggaree on the slouch hat.

Physical description

Coloured Print of Colour Patches of the Australian Military Forces World War Two

Inscriptions & markings

Numbered Colour Patches and descriptions of each patch 1 to 630