| Accession Number | REL/18409.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Cotton drill, Gilded brass, Gold bullion lace, Wool |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1901-1915 |
| Conflict |
Period 1910-1919 Period 1900-1909 |
Officer's tropical dress jacket : Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Description
White unlined cotton drill jacket with white stand collar. Shoulders bear removable shoulder straps of black wool lined with unbleached cotton drill and decorated with gold lace for the rank of a lieutenant in the 1915 pattern of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and a single small gilded brass Royal Navy button of the period 1901. Sleeves are plain with deep topstitched hems. Front of jacket bears five large gilded brass Royal Navy buttons made by 'DOUGHTY & Co. 109 St. MARTINS LANE LONDON'. Buttons attached with split rings for removal during laundering. Front has two pleated breast pockets with three pointed flap and single small Royal Navy button. Pinned above the left pocket is an Egypt Medal ribbon (1882-1889)on a brooch fastening. Jacket has short side vents. Inside jacket are various launderer's marks; an embroidered red 'W' shape on centre back seam and black ink '8' and '345' inside collar. Neck fastened with two brass hooks and eyes.
History / Summary
Tropical white tunics and trousers were introduced in the Royal Navy and British colonial navies 1885 and worn with white helmets. Rank was denoted on the sleeves of the earlier tunic until shoulder straps were introduced in 1891. The shoulder straps on this tunic are gold lace, introduced on Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve tunics in 1915 to replace the gold braid ones. The RNVR were established in 1903.