For the Australian troops going overseas, in the Australian Imperial Forces (or initially the Australian Expeditionary Forces), a new jacket was developed. Prior to its development soldiers of the Australian Military Forces and Militia were clothed in breeches and a half buttoned or tab fronted shirt. This shirt was deemed to be an inadequate piece of clothing.
The tunic developed was made of pure Australian wool, woven to have a very strong nature. It was made with four large external pockets, two on the upper chest and two below the belt. There was a fifth pocket on the inside front skirt to hold a field dressing.
The cuffs had a button around the wrist, which allowed the sleeves to be rolled up. The coat was designed to have plenty of ventilation for comfort and hygiene, it was pleated in the back to allow for expansion and the collar could be left open or buttoned up. Across the yoke of the shoulders is an extra piece of material, and down the spine there is a large solid pleat, these were to protect the wearer from heat stress from the sun.
The buttons were plain, dished shaped with four holes in the centre, and made of a cellulose material.
The tunic's colour has been described as a "pea soup" green, but there are many variations in colour due to the numerous suppliers of dye, and the quality of the dye varied. It was intended that all Australian troops were to be supplied purely with Australian made uniforms and equipment, the Government policy at the time made this quite clear, and not with-standing several temporary supply problems, all Australian troops were supplied with uniforms from Australia.

This Light Horseman is wearing the standard pattern tunic supplied to Australian soldiers. The equipment worn is the Pattern '03 bandoleer equipment. All pieces are Australian made. The waist belt has a simple open face buckle with one tongue, on the belt is a bayonet frog for the 1907 pattern bayonet.
Also on the belt are four ammunition carriers. The two nearest the centre of the belt carry 10 rounds each, these pouches are duplicates of the pouches on the bandoleer, excepting that they each have a belt loop. Next to these pouches are two 15 round ammunition pouches. These have small leather tongue that closes the pouch by attaching to a stud pillar on the top of the front flap. On the rear of these pouches is also a belt loop, and also a brass 'dee', for attaching a great coat carrier for the dismounted infantry. the rear view shows the other equipment.

Over the right shoulder and hanging at the left hip are two haversacks.
The large haversack is the pack for this equipment, the Pattern 1903 haversack. The pack is made of a canvas material, with a two inch shoulder strap with one simple brass friction buckle. On the rear of this pack is another pocket, this is to hold an emergency ration tin.
The other small haversack is the carrier for the gas helmet (PH gas hood/helmet), this was a flannel hood with eye pieces, the material was impregnated with a chemical that would neutralise the effects of the gas.
Over the other shoulder is the 'mounted' pattern bandoleer. This has 9 pouches, each holding 10 rounds each, thus a total of 150 rounds of .303" were carried; each soldier was also expected to carry a further 10 rounds in the haversack.
For the light horseman a further 90 rounds would also be carried in another bandoleer slung about his horses neck.
The water bottle is a blue enamelled steel, with a cork stopper, it is covered in wool, and carried in a leather frame work, also of the Pattern of 1903. There is a thin leather strap which loops from two brass rings on the carrier, about the soldier. On this strap is a wide cotton or web shoulder pad, to spread the load. Although all the leather pieces of this equipment are Australian made, the web shoulder section of the water bottle carrier usually carries an English inspectors mark, as these were imported from Britain, due to Australia's inability to produce this type of product.

Generally Australian troops were very comfortable with, and proud of their Australian supplied clothing and equipment. There are various examples quoted of Diggers wearing the tattered remains of their Australian uniform is preference to available new British clothing.*

Grant Napier

*Ernest SCOTT, Australia During the War, Vol XI. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18, 1936

This page was last updated by Russell Napier 28th May, 1997.