Australian WW1 Tropical Uniforms

The Australian Imperial Forces sent many troops overseas, some of this fighting force went to tropical areas.

The first Australian soldiers sent overseas went to Rabaul, to deal with the German Colonial troops of 'German New Guinea'. This first contingent of soldiers in 1914 were known as the Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force, most other soldiers were sent to training camps in Egypt, where some stayed to fight in Palestine, after Gallipoli, where as the rest went to Britain and Europe. Those soldiers who remained in the tropical areas had specific requirements for clothing

The officers of the Australian Expeditionary forces were usually required to provide their own uniform and accoutrements. Most clothing worn by officers during the First world War, found today, tend to be examples of such 'tailor made' clothing. The officer's example shown here is no exception. This tunic follows the standard for officers tunics of the British forces set down under the pattern of 1902. This pattern still exists today with some very minor variations. The coat is made of a strong cotton, it has an open collar, so a collared shirt with a tie can be worn; it also has four large pockets on the front of the tunic, the coat has a false belt sewn about the waist, and the cuffs are plain and have an inverted V-shaped cuff. This particular coat was made by a tailor in Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, called 'Sheilaw & Co.' The breeches are an identical pattern to other officers pattern of breeches in wool. The breeches are a 'riding' breeches style, with re-enforced inner thighs and sometimes the seat as well. Officers usually wore a high boot with this type of uniform, the boots were usually a riding boot, with either a high shaft or a tall legging. This officer is wearing a Slouch hat, which became the standard headgear for Australian troops, in New Guinea, however, the pith helmet appeared to be the preferred item for officers.

The soldier is wearing a tailored made tunic also. This tunic is made of a very light weight cotton, and was probably made in Egypt, the breeches are made of an identical material and are cut after the fashion of riding breeches. This outfit was made for a soldier serving in the Light Horse and this may explain why the breeches were made in that fashion. Soldiers who were sent to New Guinea, also had a tropical uniform, and examples of this type of tunic has been seen is contemporary photographs, although there are more examples of uniforms being worn that are reminiscent of outfits worn during the Boer War or simple cotton work dress intended for wearing whilst doing fatigues in large base camps in Australia.

Grant

This page was last updated by Russell Napier 26th June, 1997.