Other ranks greatcoat : Signalman R E Hill, Royal Australian Signal Corps

Other ranks khaki wool double-breasted greatcoat with shoulder straps secured by two large buttons, plain cuffs and sloping inset pockets over each hip with rectangular flaps. The front of the coat is secured by three pairs of large buttons with another pair either side of the neck. There is also a hook and eye attachment at the throat, plus a pair of small brown plastic buttons located under the front of the collar for attaching the separate throat protector. The back of the coat has a loose inverted pleat extending from the neck to the hem. There is an adjustable wool strap lined with khaki cotton drill across the back waist, secured by three large buttons; a slit adjacent to each end of the belt, and reinforced by a cotton drill panel on the inside allows the belt to be repositioned on the inside of the coat. A long rear vent, secured by two small buttons extends from hip level to the hem. The interior is lined and reinforced at the shoulder and neck, belt slits and pockets with khaki cotton drill panels. The arms are lined with striped cotton. The separate neck protector is secured by two small brown plastic buttons to the proper inside left flap, just above the pocket. There is a maker’s label at the collar, stating ‘8405-66 012-0493 DUNLOP NSW 1966 Size 5 D^D’; another located at the proper right front flap reads ‘Khaki O-R’s Overcoats. Size 5 Height 5’ 7” – 5’ 8” Chest (Over Jacket) 37 – 39’. The owner has written his details in ink to the label sewn to the lining of the left pocket. All buttons are gold anodised aluminium and feature the Royal Australian Signal Corps badge.

Standard issue mid 1960s Australian other ranks greatcoat issued to 2786678 Signalman Russell Errol Hill for his National Service. Born 17 July 1946, Hill was called up in 1967 and entered the Army on 14 April. After initial 10 weeks basic training at Kapooka, Hill undertook specific training at the School of Signals, Balcombe, Victoria; his suitablility for training was chosen based on a tone/pitch test and Hill’s natural musical ability assisted in passing this test. He passed top of his course of an entry of 20 and was judged the quickest Morse operator. Of the 20 in his course, seventeen were posted to Vietnam, while Hill and two others were retained in Australia. After a short period at Watsonia, Hill was transferred to the Rockbank Signal Receiving Station (about 60 km west of Melbourne), where he was responsible for receiving the coded incoming message from Vung Tau every 4 hours. His final post was operating the Base Radio at Portsea, Victoria.