Fatigue jacket : Lieutenant E G J Harkness, 2 Battalion AIF

Australian Army khaki cotton drill jacket. The cut and style of this fatigue jacket is pre-World War One, possibly c1910. The jacket appears to have been from Harkness' previous military position, as the holes for 2nd lieutenant are visible. The pair of patch pockets on the breast are box pleated and their flaps have a curved bottom edge.The pockets are secured with small pressed leather buttons.There is a pair of darts above and below both of the breast pockets. The brown leather used for the buttons has been pressed to imitate plaited leather. The buttons are held on by small brass rings and are removable. The stand and fall collar has two brass hooks and eyes for closure, and the jacked has five large pressed leather buttons for front fastening. The shoulder straps have the small buttons missing, and all badges and identifying patches have been removed. The jacket is unlined and the narrow cuffs have no buttons. There are two brass belt hooks, two small side vents and a patrol back.

Worn by Lieutenant Edward George John Harkness (service number 7343) 2nd Battalion 1st AIF. He enlisted on the 6th March 1915, but was killed in action at Gallipoli at Lone Pine on the 6th or 8th August 1915. He is buried in the Lone Pine cemetery, Anzac, Gallipoli.
Prior to World War One, Harkness served for five years as 2nd lieutenant with the 31st infantry in commissioned service.

It is not known if this jacket was worn at Gallipoli or in Egypt. Lieutenant Harkness is mentioned in Volume 2 of the Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18, pp.518 & 542-545.