| Place | Oceania: Pacific Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, Gazelle Peninsula, Rabaul Area, Rabaul |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/09865 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Cotton drill, Oxidised brass |
| Maker |
Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | 1914 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Service dress jacket : Staff Sergeant G T Collier, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force
Description
Other Ranks pattern khaki cotton drill service dress jacket with a stand and fall collar, secured by two brass hook and eyes. The shoulders straps are fastened with an oxidised brass 'AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES' (AMF) button. The patch pockets on the breast each have a central box pleat and curved flap, each secured by an oxidised AMF button. Two darts on each side run from under the collar tab to the top of the corresponding breast pocket. The jacket is fastened at the front by five large oxidised brass AMF buttons. The patrol back has two vents. Sewn to the upper right sleeve are three woven chevrons and an embroidered crown for the rank of staff sergeant. There is a brass belt hook on each side of the waist. Five evenly spaced small white buttons have been sewn onto the inside of the collar to attach a liner. A maker's name tape has been sewn to the inside collar.
History / Summary
Associated with the service of 205 Staff Sergeant George Thomas Collier who was born in Ballarat, Victoria in 1872.
Collier joined the Australian Army Administrative and Instructional Staff Corps in 1895, serving in Victoria with the Royal Australian Artillery (RAA). He was 42 years old when he enlisted for service with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) on 21 November 1914.
This dress jacket dates from his service with the RAA. While they attempted to provide uniforms for all the men enlisting in the ANMEF, the speed at which the unit was raised and deployed meant there were shortages and many men who had prior service like Collier wore their old uniforms.
He retained his rank of staff sergeant and was assigned to the headquarters staff of 3 (Tropical) Battalion which at that time was commanded by Colonel Samuel Pethebridge. Collier embarked with the battalion from Sydney on 28 November aboard HMAT SS Eastern for service in Rabaul, New Britain.
After completing his six months service, Collier embarked for Australia on 9 June 1915. He was discharged from the ANMEF in Melbourne on 16 July 1915.