Sapper's service dress tunic : New South Wales Permanent Engineers

Skirted scarlet wool tunic with blue silk and cotton velvet stand collar edged with square yellow worsted Russia braid and brass exploding grenade badges. The cuffs are of the same blue velvet with square Russia braid Austrian knots. The shoulder straps are formed from a double row of square yellow Russia braid looped around a single brass 1880 - 1901pattern New South Wales Military Forces button. There are nine brass buttons of the same kind from the collar to the waist, made by 'DAVID JONES & Co. SYDNEY', and two at back waist. The wearer's left front, hem and right skirt sections of the centre opening are piped with blue/black wool. The back of tunic is panelled and has two false vents edged with same wool piping. There are brass belt hooks at each side of the waist. The body of tunic and collar is lined with olive satin weave cotton and wool mixture. Right edge of collar has black patent leather neck tab and the neck fastens with two brass hooks and eyes. The skirt of tunic lined with cream cotton and wool mixture. There is a concealed pocket in the lining at left breast lined with olive cotton twill. The sleeves lined with striped cotton twill. Lance corporal's rank chevrons appear to have been sewn to the sleeves at one time but are no longer present. There is also a stitched eyelet at the wearer's left front armhole.

The New South Wales Engineers began as a volunteer unit in 1870 and by 1881 had become a militia unit. By 1885, the Engineer Corps' strength had risen to 120 and some members of the Corps volunteered for service in the New South Wales Contingent to the Sudan. The Commanding Officer was Major Thomas Rowe, an officer from the Royal Engineers who had been appointed as military instructor. By 1890 the scarlet uniform was used for review order only, the uniform having changed to khaki with felt hats in May of that year. In 1894, the engineers consisted of four companies; two field companies, a submarine mining company and an electrical company. These companies were made up of both permanent and partially paid men. In 1902, they became part of the newly formed Corps of Australian Engineers.

• Sapper's service dress trousers : New South Wales Permanent Engineers
• Other Ranks 1882 Pattern (Mark III) Valise Equipment waist belt : New South Wales Military Forces