|
Toward the end of the 19th century the armies of the British Empire began to adopt khaki serge and kharki drill uniforms as the standard service dress for the soldier in the field.
The old scarlets and blue patrol jackets and alike became increasingly used only as an undress uniform or as ceremonial dress. The colonial militias generally followed the British lead. Within the British Army and the
Imperial Yeomanry at the appearance of the early khaki tunics varied greatly. Some uniforms even had coloured piping and/or facings. Generally two major type of khaki uniform were adopted by the WA defense forces.
The first tunic adopted was the so called first pattern tunic. This tunic was similar to the KD style tunic worn by British forces in Africa, NW Frontier and alike. It was a five button tunic with a soft fold down
collar and only two pockets at the breast line. Breechs were of the same material and worn with blue puttees. Mounted troops wore bedford cord,jodpur style, riding breeches and leather gaiters. This time also saw the
gradual introduction of that now famous Australian piece of military head wear, the Slouch Hat. The other style of khaki uniform is the so called Commonwealth Pattern uniform introduced around 1903 to coincide with
the formation of the new Australian Federal Army. It was also a five button style tunic but with four pocket and a more formal, stiffened, upright, chinese syle collar. Officers wore their rank insignia on the cuff in
the british style. Unit identification patches (eg 84th Infantry) were carried on the collars and look some what like the tabs worn by senior officers. |
