Gaberdine overcoat : Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist J R W Grieve, RAN

Navy blue coat made from shower-proof wool gabardine with blue cotton twill lining. It is double-breasted with three black plastic buttons and convertible stand collar with adjustable half belt. It has a label on the inside of the collar which reads ' C G C F / SIZE 3 / NO. 34868 / R.A.N / MADE IN / AUSTRALIA'. On the bottom left hand side of the coat is the detachable triangle piece that has been attached with buttons to made the collar stand.

22767 Chief Petty Officer John Reginald Wickham Grieve was born in Maryborough Queensland on the 17 September 1920. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy on 20 January 1939. His home port was Sydney. Enlisting as an ordinary seaman, he was promoted on the 23 November 1940 to able seaman while aboard HMAS Sydney. At the time she was on duty in the Mediterranean and returned to Melbourne on 28 July 1941. Grieve was then posted to HMAS Lithgow which was one of sixty Australian Minesweepers built during the Second World War. In July 1941 she became part of 20 Minesweeping Flotilla, sweeping Bass Strait and Tasmanian waters. On 20 January 1942 HMAS Lithgow took part in the destruction of the Japanese mine laying submarine I-124. This was officially credited to HMA Ships Deloranine (I), Lithgow and Katoomba (I) and USS Edsall. Grieve was promoted to leading seaman and qualified as a wireless telegraphist instructor on 1 January 1944 while serving with HMAS Gladstone; a Corvette escorting convoys to Milne Bay. Here HMAS Gladstone began a tour of duty in New Guinean waters, on escort and anti-submarine patrol duties in Madang, Langemak, Hollandia and Biak. She returned to Australia on 8 December 1944. Grieve spent the rest of his service in onshore establishments and was discharged on 8 January 1951 as Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist from HMAS Penguin.