Service dress tunic : Victorian Permanent Field Artillery

Dark blue wool twill tunic with red wool stand collar edged with round gold cord and gold Russia braid. Gold bullion embroidered artillery badges at each end of the collar, and on the inside a patent leather tab and two metal hooks and eyes. Dark blue shoulder straps edged with gold Russia braid, gold bullion embroidered initials 'VFA' and small gilt Victorian permanent artillery button. Cuffs decorated with round gold cord Austrian knots edged with Russia braid and above the right cuff, an embroidered gold bullion on crimson felt, eight pointed star for the rank of Warrant officer or Quartermaster-Sergeant. On the left breast, a Victorian Long and Efficient Service Medal ribbon. Front piped with red wool and fastened with nine gilt Victorian permanent artillery buttons made by 'STOKES & MARTIN MELB.'. Two buttons at back waist and brass belt hooks at sides. Back skirt has closed vent piped with red wool and on each side a sword flap trimmed with round gold cord, Russia braid and three artillery buttons. Tunic fully lined with coarse dark green wool and cotton mixture, partially machine quilted. Concealed pocket inside left breast and maker's label inside back neck. Sleeves lined with cotton twill.

A permanent force of artillery in Victoria was first raised in 1870 but was disbanded in 1880 and then raised again in 1882. In 1884 the three groups of field artillery were grouped together as the Metropolitan Brigade of Field Artillery. By 1890 the Field Artillery numbered 16 officers and 252 other ranks but it was not until 1899 that Queen Victoria approved an amalgamation of the permanent artilleries of NSW, Victoria and Queensland. The Victorian artillery then became known as the Victorian Regiment of Royal Australian Artillery (RAA). In 1902, the RAA and the permanent artilleries of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania were amalgamated to form the Royal Australian Artillery Regiment.

• Pantaloons : Victorian Permanent Field Artillery