Historical information

This jumper is part of a General Purpose Uniform issued by the Australian Airforce to Bernard Farley during service. This uniform type was developed in 2014 and replaced camouflage as the uniform worn during general base duties and in non-warlike environments. Although a camouflage pattern, this design is not intended for use as camouflage. This woolen jumper was presumably a winter addition to the GPU.

Significance

This item has social significance, as an item of uniform worn by Warrnambool RSL community member and Secretary (2019), Bernard Farley during service with the Australian Airforce. The item is a representative example of current Airforce General Purpose Uniform and is in excellent condition. As a set, the uniform has aesthetic significance in it’s design, incorporating GPU uniform design from the Army alongside the colours and motifs of the Australian Airforce.

Physical description

Navy blue ribbed knitted jumper with stitched navy cotton elbow patches, rectangular in shape. Similar rectangular shaped patches on the left and right shoulder, bearing two epaulettes, stiched at one end and fastened with velcro and the other. The left shoulder carries an Airforce embroidered patch at the top of the arm. Arm cuffs have external seam for approximately 100 mm from the end, indicating that the jumper may have been worn with cuffs folded over. Synthetic strip of black fabric on the interior collar behind a cream coloured label.

Inscriptions & markings

Label on interior of collar reads: “CALCOUP KNITWEAR/291083/ 06/01 / 8405/661468799 / SIZE: 115cm-125cm/SERVICE No........./ NAME........../MACHINE WASHABLE GENTLE CYCLE/Fasten shoulder straps before/washing. Warm machine wash,/inside out on medium cycle./Do not bleach./Warm rinse. Normal spin./Doi not tumble dry./Dry in shade. Warm iron./ Dry Cleanable A/80% Wool 20% Nylon”