Ski trousers : Major R W Savage, Australian Corps Ski School, Syria

White cotton drill or lightweight canvas ski trousers with concealed six button fly and two button waist closure. The trousers have a wide waistband with seven external belt loops, and six white plastic buttons spaced around the inside for the attachment of braces. Inside the rear waistband is an illegible purple maker's stamp. On the front of the trousers there are two inset waist pockets, angled inward from the hip, and a similar inset pocket on the right rear. Each has an external pointed flap secured by a white plastic button. The trousers taper to the ankles, which are secured by white cotton ties. At the front of each ankle hem is a single reinforced hole, which may have been intended for use with a drawstring.

The Australian Corps Ski School was established in the Lebanese mountains of Syria at the end of 1941. The intention was to train Australian troops serving on garrison duty in that country to serve as ski troops, giving them greater mobility in the otherwise almost impassable conditions of the Syrian winter. The school was placed under the command of NX34963 Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Robert Watkin Savage, a signals officer who was also an accomplished skier and bush walker. A staff of ten, including some of Australia's best skiers, as well as foreigners such as British Olympic competitor Major James Riddell, were brought together to provide expert tuition. Two courses, each of about 50 students, were trained, approximately half being judged competent at the end of their course. The entry of Japan into the war, and changing priorities in North Africa, meant that the Australian ski experiment was short lived. After only three months, the school was closed, and its staff returned to their units. Uniform worn by staff and pupils was sourced locally within Syria, and comprised white canvas trousers and pullover jacket, which were worn over the normal Australian woollen service dress. A white cotton peaked cap and mittens were also supplied. Clothing was waterproofed using a copper sulphate solution which gave the white clothing a characteristic pale blue-green tint.