Historical information

Issued as a uniform item post WWII until the late 1980s. It was also used parade dress until its replacement of a newly designed uniform made of polyester. This particular sample belonged to CPL K. Howe 3144504 whist in the Army Reserves 1982 to 2005

Significance

The khaki battledress was standard uniform issued post world war two and used until the introduction of the polyester uniform in the late 1980s. This uniform belonged to CPL K. Howe, the donor providing good provenance. In conjunction with other items of militaria donated by the Howe family. Item can be to tell a story of multi generations of military service of the Howe family

Physical description

Single breasted hip-height jacket in khaki fabric, fastened with five buttons down the centre of the chest. Two pleated breast pockets with triangular flaps fastened with two buttons. All buttons plastic and khaki green in colour. Jacket is fastened around the hips with a belt, attached on left hand side and buckled in a rectangular metal buckle on right hand side. Both left and right sleeves bear two patches, a double chevron and red rectangular patch rounded to follow the seam of the shoulder, with embroidered text. Navy lanyard looped around right shoulder, held in place by epaulet and tucked into right side pocket.

Inscriptions & markings

Red patch reads "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS"
Internal left chest label reads "A.G.C.F./VIC. 1981/[broad arrow symbol]/6405.66.025.6408/SIZE OF CHEST/SIZE 99-102R/MACQUARIE 80/BATCH J/DRY CLEAN ONLY/CREASE UPPER/HALF OF/LAPELS ONLY/No. 3144504 [handwritten]/NAME/CPL K. HOWE [handwritten]"