SHIRT-SLEEVE ORDER

 

 

Shirt, collarless, Angola, without insignia.

 

Braces, Trouser, grey or white, non-elastic with leather tabs.

 

Trousers, Battle-Dress

 

Shirt-sleeve order may be adopted in hot weather at Officer’s discretion.

 

Correctly rolled sleeves should measure the width of four fingers in depth.

 

 

 

 

Original wool jersey may be worn under the Battle-Dress blouse.

 

Original wool gloves may be worn in cold weather.

 

1937 pattern mess tin is shown here, along with Tommy Atkins most important piece of personal equipment – the Enameled Tea Mug, white with blue rim or overall brown.

 

 

 

TROUSERS

Un-converted 1949 Trousers. The belt-loops and waist adjusting tabs have to be removed, and the half-belt cut back to a straight end.

The use of correctly converted 1949 pattern Battle-Dress Trousers is highly recommended as Gunnery is a very messy business.

 

The illustrations show details of the 1940  Utility pattern as reference for such conversions.

 

The front of the waist-band is unpicked and the pleats are pulled out. This in turn provides the straight side pockets.

 

The left leg pocket is transferred to the front.

 

Note the position; the top of the pocket (not flap) falls approximately 9 inches from the top of the waist band, and 1.5 inches from the trouser fly.

 

 

The Field Dressing pocket is positioned approximately 6 inches from the top of the trousers, and 1 inch from the side pocket.

 

This pocket must be fashioned from spare Battle-Dress serge cloth and measures 6 to 6.5 inches deep by 4 to 4.5 inches wide, with a 1 inch box pleat.

 

The left rear hip pocket is removed and securely sewn up.

 

(The measurements quoted can vary on original examples.)

 

 

 

 

UNDERWEAR

Vest, white cotton. Original or period style. (readily available)

 

Underpants, white cotton. Originals available.

 

Socks, grey wool

Long johns, white wool. (Originals available)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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