| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/18862.001 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Cotton sateen, Nickel-plated brass, Superfine wool |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1885 |
| Conflict |
Australian Colonial Forces, 1854-1900 Sudan, 1885 |
OR's scarlet tunic : New South Wales 1st Infantry Regiment
Description
Scarlet superfine tunic with blue stand collar, shoulder straps and cuffs bordered with white superfine piping. The centre front, back waist and shoulder straps have silver coloured NSW Military Forces buttons. On the back of the raised buttons is 'W. Jones & Co 7 Golden Sqre London'. The back of the tunic has closed vents with white piping. Front and back side panels are lined with a satin weave fabric woven with red wool and white cotton yarns. Upper section of lining is also lightly padded and partially quilted. Concealed pocket in the lining on the wearer's left side. Sleeves and pocket lined with white cotton twill. The inside of the right centre front is stamped in black 'NSW 1 R' and the left sleeve lining bears a circular stamp bearing a crown and 'H.M.Q. N.S.W.'. There is a brass belt hook on one side only.
History / Summary
In 1885, the colonial government of NSW approached the British government with an offer to assist in the recapture of the Sudan from the Dervish Army of Muhammed Ahmed. In the early 1880s the Sudan had been under the control of a British-backed Egyptian regime. The British government accepted with the proviso that the NSW contingent be under British command. The contingent consisted of an infantry battalion and an artillery battery and left for the Sudan in March 1885. This was the first time that soldiers in the pay of a self-governing Australian colony had fought in an imperial war. They were issued with scarlet tunics, like the one here, dark blue trousers and white pith helmets with pugarees. This uniform is an example of the type worn to the Sudan, although once there they were there the men were re-kitted with khaki drill uniforms more suited to the climate.