Field service jacket : Major A S Bowman, New South Wales Lancers

Brown drab wool twill tunic with stand and fall collar and pointed cuffs, both piped in scarlet superfine wool. The whitemetal elephant collar badges of the New South Wales Lancers (see REL/02736) are not original to the jacket. Shoulder straps of three lines of square red worsted braid each with a nickel-plated and red velvet crown for the rank of major and a single small oxidised brass New South Wales Military Forces button. Front of jacket has two pleated breast pockets, each with a three pointed flap and a small Military Forces button. The jacket is fastened with five New South Wales Military Forces buttons; four of oxidised brass made by 'HOBSON & SONS' and one nickel-plated brass made by 'E. STILLWELL & SONS LONDON'. Below the last button is a brass hook and corresponding eye that fastens on the inside. The jacket is rounded at the front with the left front, hems, side vents and back panels all piped with red superfine wool. The piping on the back panels extends into the outer seams of the sleeves. The jacket is unlined except for a white cotton sateen lining in the sleeves; the lower edge of the cuffs lined with black wool and cotton mixture. White coated fabric label at the back neck has wearer's name 'Capt A S Bowman' in black ink. Stitched to the inside of the collar were originally five small fabric covered buttons for attachment of an inner collar but only three buttons remain. The neck edge fastens with two brass hooks and eyes. Single brass belt hook at the left waist, lined with linen on the inside.

Field service jacket worn by Major A S Bowman, originally as captain. The shoulder straps reveal that the original captain's three pips have been replaced with a major's crown. A lieutenant Bowman was one of the original officers at Singleton where a half-squadron of lancers was formed in January 1894. Together with the Maitland (Hunter River) half-squadron, they formed No 3 Squadron. The New South Wales Lancers in 1894 were made up of 4 Squadrons in total. In 1903 this squadron was transferred to the 4th Australian Light horse. Lancers had three types of uniform, the full dress tunic, patrol jacket and field service jacket. These uniforms were retained for some years after Federation.