Service dress tunic : Flight Sergeant N R Maginness, 13 Squadron RAAF

RAAF blue wool twill OR's pattern winter service dress tunic lined with black cotton, with a self fabric belt fastened by a black plastic buckle. The tunic has pleated breast pockets with pointed flaps fastened by black plastic eagle and crown buttons, inset welt pockets over each hip with rectangular flaps, a centre back vent extending from the waist to the bottom of the skirt, blue embroidered eagles on each upper sleeve and woven cotton chevrons surmounted by an oxidised copper king's crown for the rank of flight sergeant on each sleeve. Four black plastic eagle and crown buttons fasten the tunic down the front. A cotton manufacturer's label, printed in black, is sewn to the back lining below the neck. It is further marked in ink '18255'.

This tunic was worn by 18255 Flight Sergeant Noel Ronald Maginness during his service in the RAAF during the Second World War between 26 August 1940 and 17 December 1945. After initial training in Victoria Maginness was posted to 2 Aircraft Depot at Richmond, NSW. Here he met his future wife, Corporal Dorothy Desley Chadwick, who he married on 12 June 1943 at St Michael's Church, Flinders Street, Surry Hills in Sydney. He wore this tunic and his forage cap (see REL34257.001) at his wedding. A photograph of the wedding can be found at P05137.002. In August 1943 Maginness was posted to 13 Squadron RAAF, serving in Canberra, Cooktown, Gove, Morotai and Labuan before his discharge at the end of the war. His wife, Desley, also continued her service in the WAAAF until the end of the war.