Other ranks' service dress jacket : Private G Riley, 39 Battalion AIF

Other rank's unlined khaki wool service dress jacket with a stand and fall collar, pleated breast pockets with pointed flaps, and large expanding pockets on each hip, also with pointed flaps. The front of the jacket, pockets, cuffs and shoulder straps are fastened with pressed leather buttons. The self fabric belt is sewn to the waist and the free end fastens with a brass slide. A box pleat runs from back yoke down the length of the jacket for additional ease of wear. The back of jacket is also loosely pleated into the waistband while the front is shaped by four vertical darts running behind the pockets. The collar bears oxidised brass 'Rising Sun' general service badges, and the shoulder straps have straight oxidised brass 'AUSTRALIA' titles. There are hand-made crocheted cotton colour patches for 39 Battalion, AIF, sewn to the top of each sleeve. The lower left sleeve bears two gold metal wound stripes. There is a brass Lewis Gunner's proficiency badge on the upper right sleeve and three blue woven service chevrons sewn to the lower right sleeve. A printed cotton manufacturer's label sewn to the inside back yoke reads, 'COHEN & SONS SYDNEY 1915'. The jacket has been altered by hand to give a better fit by removing the collar and creating two large darts that run diagonally from the front of the collar to the outer corner of each breast pocket, and then replacing the collar. The jacket fastens at the throat with a single brown plastic button. Four pairs of hooks and eyes have been sewn to the edges of the collar to allow it to be fastened together.

Worn by George Alfred Bryant who enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in March 1916 but left it after a few months and re-enlisted in 39 Battalion AIF on 16 August 1916, as a private (service number 2353) under the assumed name George Riley. He departed for overseas service on 20 October 1916. During his service he was a lewis gunner, and was wounded twice. He returned to Australia on 12 December 1918. In 1919 he contacted the appropriate authorities and had his record of service file put in order, recording both the names under which he had served.