Aertex bush jacket : Australian Army

Tailored copy of British Army issue jungle green Aertex long sleeved safari bush jacket. The jacket is fastened by four grey plastic buttons, with no provision for a fastening at the collar. The same style of grey plastic button, although smaller, is also used on the breast pockets, shoulder straps and cuffs. On both shoulders is an embroidered curved 'ROYAL AUSTRALIAN SIGNALS' title with border in white on a dark blue background. Below the shoulder flash on the right hand sleeve is an embroidered patch, featuring the Queen's crown and the word 'COMMONWEALTH' on a light and dark blue background, and an embroidered 'AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES' Rising Sun badge in gold, red and black cotton on an olive green background. The two breast patch pockets are pleated and have button flap closures with triple points and additional press studs at each corner. The waist pockets are unpleated but gusseted at the sides and bottom, and have large unsecured flaps. A self belt forms an integral part of the jacket, but is folded in the left lower pocket. Two cloth belt loops are sewn at waist level at the side seams.

Aertex bush jacket as worn in Malaya. The Malayan Emergency was declared on 18 June 1948 after three estate managers were murdered in Perak, northern Malaya, by guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), an outgrowth of the anti-Japanese guerrilla movement which had emerged during the Second World War. Australia's involvement in the Emergency began in 1950 with the arrival of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft and personnel in Singapore. After several false starts 2 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) crossed to the mainland from Penang in January 1956 to begin anti-communist operations. Over the next 20 months, as part of 28 Commonwealth Brigade, 2 RAR participated in a variety of operations, mainly in Perak, one of the main areas of communist activity. 2 RAR left Malaya in October 1957 and was replaced by 3 RAR in the same month. By late 1959 operations against the communists were in their final phase and many communists had crossed Malaya's northern border into Thailand. 3 RAR left Malaya in October 1959 to be replaced by 1 RAR. Although operating in the border region 1 RAR made no contact with the enemy and were forbidden to move into Thailand, even when the presence and location of communists was known. As the threat continued to dissipate, the Malayan government officially declared the Emergency over on 31 July 1960, though 1 RAR remained in Malaya until October the following year, when 2 RAR returned for a second tour, completing this tour in August 1963. In addition to air and infantry forces, Australia also provided artillery and engineering support, and an air-field construction squadron built the main runway for the air force base at Butterworth. Ships of the Royal Australian Navy also served in Malayan waters, and Australian ships had occasion to fire on suspected communist positions in 1956 and 1957. Lasting 13 years, the Malayan Emergency was the longest continuous military commitment in Australia's history. Thirty-nine Australian servicemen were killed in Malaya, although only 15 of these deaths occurred as a result of operations, and 27 were wounded, most of whom were in the army.