Serge frock : Colour Sergeant, Kennedy Regiment, Queensland Defence Forces

Pattern 1890-1898 scarlet wool serge frock with blue superfine stand collar and pointed cuffs. Lower edge of collar trimmed with flat white worsted braid; holes at each edge of collar for badges, not present. Tapered scarlet serge shoulder straps are edged with white worsted braid, each bearing a small, gilded brass Queensland Defence Forces button toward the neck, and at the wider shoulder edge, a separate square of scarlet wool embroidered in a semi circle with 'KENNEDY' in white cotton has been stitched over the serge strap. Pointed blue cuffs traced with white worsted braid forming an Austrian knot at the point. Above the elbow of each sleeve are three inverted gold lace sergeant's chevrons on a red wool ground. Above, on a separate red ground are embroidered crossed flags surmounted by a Queen Victoria crown to denote the rank of colour sergeant. The crown and crossed flags have been embroidered using bullion thread and silk over a paper base. Frock has five large gilded brass Queensland Defence Forces buttons at the front made by 'HOBSON & SONS LEXINGTON ST LONDON' and slightly rounded front. Back of frock has three panels and vents at each side seam with brass belt hooks at each side waist. Frock is unlined; collar faced with scarlet wool serge. Large internal linen pocket at left breast and frock side seams reinforced with linen. On the inside, right front facing, stamped in black ink is 'B 7810'. At the inside left collar edge are remnants of a brown leather neck tab. Neck edge originally fastened with two ferrous metal hooks and eyes but one eye is missing.

In September 1890 a new pattern scarlet serge frock was introduced in Queensland with five buttons at the front. Previously the Royal West Surrey pattern frock had seven buttons. Between 1881 and 1893 volunteer infantry companies were formed at Charters Towers, Townsville and Ravenswood. By 1893 they had evolved into the 3rd Queensland (Kennedy) Regiment and consisted of volunteer companies and partially paid militia.