Significance
This item of military uniform was worn by Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Bernard Farley during his period of Full Time service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) between 27 January 1976 and 02 March 1997. Bernard joined the RAAF as an Airmen was trained and employed as a Clerk Supply (CLKSPL) between 1996 - 1977. He undertook officer cadet training at the Army Officer Cadet School in 1978 and was commissioned into the Ground Defence Category on the 09 December 1978, where he served for 18 years and rose to the rank of SQNLDR.
Physical description
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 1A Service Dress Uniform 1A - Tunic (Jacket - Blue Grey). This uniform was in the period 1966 - 2001 as the primary uniform. Service Dress is approved for wear as either ceremonial dress or working dress when employed in office or business type environments.
The Tunic consists of a jacket has a lapel collar, with two external chest pockets and exposed pocket flaps, two side jacket pockets with external flaps and two internal jacket pockets positioned just below the external chest pockets.
There is a crescent shaped cloth badge 'AUSTRALIA' sown at the side/top of each sleeve and Squadron Leader - rank stripes sown around each sleeve on the upper wrist area. The Tunic is closed with four gold buttons down the front. Each button is inserted through a small round hole sewn into the right side of the tunic front and held in place at the rear with a safety pin. There are four corresponding button holes sewn into the left front of the tunic to fasten the jacket in the normal closed position when worn.
Inscriptions & markings
Maker: Australian Government Clothing Factory (A.G.C.F.) - Coburg Victoria
The Tunic has two military decorations attached above the exterior left chest pocket. The decoration are:
1. Conspicuous Service Medal - Yellow and Green right sloping diagonal strips
2.. Defence Service Medal (with one clasp) - Blue and Gold upright stripes and round metal clasp positioned centrally. The DSM is awarded for 15 years service and a clasp is awarded for each additional 5 years service.
