Historical information

6th Battalion, the Royal Victoria Regiment Mess Dress Jacket. Traditional Fusiliers pattern mess dress inherited from the 6th Battalion, the Royal Melbourne Regiment (1918-1960) who were given the pattern by their allied regiment, the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in 1936 as a token of friendship. The Royal Victoria Regiment (RVR) was a late adopter of miniature RVR badges for collar badges and the Royal Australian Infantry Corps collar badges fitted indicate use after 1960 and likely at least into the 1980s when miniature RVR badges were adopted. The staybrite St Edward's Crown rank insignia to each epaulet also indicate use between 1960-1980s. Red body with white piping to Royal blue facings (to cuffs, epaulets and lapel/collar). Royal blue lapelled waistcoat with brass Australian Commonwealth Military Forces buttons.

Significance

This mess jacket is significant because Australian Army Infantry units would normally wear the Infantry Corps pattern of mess dress. However, this pattern was worn by the 6th Battalion, the Royal Victoria Regiment (and likely also 5/6 RVR) right up to the late 1980s due to the unique and honoured customs and traditions of the 6th Battalion. It is a traditional Fusiliers pattern mess dress which was inherited from the 6th Battalion, the Royal Melbourne Regiment (1918-1960) who were the forebear to the Royal Victoria Regiment. They were given the pattern by their allied regiment, the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in 1936 as a token of friendship. The use after 1960 (when the Royal Melbourne Regiment was amalgamated) is evidenced by unit held photos and by object itself which bears the Royal Australian Infantry Corps collar badges and staybrite St Edward's Crown rank insignia to each epaulet (for rank of Major).

Physical description

6th Battalion, the Royal Victoria Regiment Mess Dress Jacket. Traditional Fusiliers pattern mess dress inherited from the 6th Battalion, the Royal Melbourne Regiment (1918-1960) who were given the pattern by their allied regiment, the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in 1936 as a token of friendship. The Royal Victoria Regiment (RVR) was a late adopter of miniature RVR badges for collar badges and the Royal Australian Infantry Corps collar badges fitted indicate use after 1960 and likely at least into the 1980s when miniature RVR badges were adopted. The staybrite St Edward's Crown rank insignia to each epaulet also indicate use between 1960-1980s. Red body with white piping to Royal blue facings (to cuffs, epaulets and lapel/collar). Royal blue lapelled waistcoat with brass Australian Commonwealth Military Forces buttons.