Allied prisoner of war greatcoat

Black wool worsted greatcoat with rounded stand and fall collar. The black shoulder straps are secured by a small brass button bearing the British coat of arms. The front of the coat is fastened by five brass coat of arms buttons. A welt pocket with a straight flap is on each side of the front of the coat lined with khaki cotton drill. The sleeves have narrow straight cuffs and the right sleeve has two inverted red wool chevrons. The left sleeve has a brown cotton twill band inserted near the shoulder. The rear of the coat has an inverted box pleat to the waist and a self-fabric half-belt with three buttons which is worn around the back. The sleeves and inside yoke are lined with khaki cotton drill. A roughly finished black wool hanging loop is stitched to the inside collar.

First World War allied prisoners of war (POW) from the ranks in Germany were issued with black dyed uniforms with an identifying brown cotton band or stripe. Most uniforms were supplied by the British Red Cross, who had an arrangement with Germany to transport the uniforms on neutral ships. These POW uniforms were standard British Army khaki uniforms that were dyed and modified for easy identification of the wearer's status. Officers were permitted to wear their own uniforms.