RAN issue overalls : Commander I Parker, HMAS Kanimbla

Place Middle East: Persian Gulf
Accession Number REL36913
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Uniform
Physical description Cotton, Metal, Proban, Velcro
Maker Australian Defence Apparel
Place made Australia
Date made 1998
Conflict Afghanistan, 2001-2021
Description

Cotton dark blue Royal Australian Navy issue overalls. A colour Australian flag cloth patch with Velcro backing is attached to the overalls on the upper right sleeve. On the inside tag, which carries the Defence broad arrow symbol, is hand written twice in blue ink 'XO'. The overalls are finished with Proban - a flame retardant material. The overalls have two breast pockets; the right closes with a zip and flap; the left is open, though has a pen holder on the lower right outside of the pocket. The overalls close with seven press studs down the front. They also feature a cargo pocket on the left hand side above the knee which closes with two press studs and a utility pocket on the right leg above the knee which is elaticised at its top. The leg openings at the bottom of the overalls have Velcro straps for size adjustment.

History / Summary

Commander Ian 'Nosey' Parker, a trained Navy clearance diver, was HMAS Kanimbla's executive officer (XO) during the ship's first rotation during Operation Slipper from late 2001 to 2002. Divers aboard the Kanimbla wore submariner's combat coveralls during boarding operations. However, unlike the submariners' uniform the reflective strips have been removed from the upper arms on the sleeves.

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