Service dress tunic : Lieutenant A D Hollyhoke, 7 Battalion AIF

Australian Army officer's khaki cotton drill service dress jacket with rank insignia of lieutenant. The collar is open with Rising Sun general service badges. The tunic is fastened with four large pressed brown leather buttons. The shoulder straps are secured by a small pressed leather button, and have two lieutenant pip and a curved voided 'AUSTRALIA' shoulder title. The rank insignia, shoulder titles and general service collar badges are all oxidised brass. The pair of patch pockets on the breast are pleated and the bottom edge of their flap is very slightly scalloped. The pair of patch pockets below the waistband are larger with expandable sides and a straight flap. All the pockets are secured with a small pressed leather brown button. A small slit pocket has been secreted behind the waistband on the right side at the front. On both sides of the waistband at the back there is a black-painted steel belt hook. The brown leather used for the buttons has been pressed to imitate plaited leather. Both of the cuffs are pointed. The makers label, 'H.J.BEAN 73 ELIZABETH ST. MELBOURNE' is stitched to the inside collar, and has '121 Lieut. A.D. Hollyhoke' hand written in black ink. There is a khaki hanging loop above the maker's label. A welt pocket has been let into the lining of the left breast and there is a small brown leather loop sewn above it. A large opening has been let into the right font facing, making an improvised long elongated pocket the length of the tunic. The rear of the tunic is plain with a long central vent beginning at the waistband. The tunic is not lined but has wide facings.

The tunic was worn by Lieutenant Alexander David Hollyhoke, born on 27 June 1891. He enlisted as a second lieutenant in the 18th Reinforcement of 7 Battalion AIF on the 16th July 1915 but only embarked overseas on 3rd July 1916. On arrival, Hollyhoke was sent to the 2nd training battalion before joining the 7th battalion at the Pozières in the Somme valley. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 January 1917. The 7th battalion moved to the Ypres area and were engaged in combat on the front line at Westhoek Ridge. It was here that Hollyhoke received a severe gunshot wound and nerve damage to the right forearm on the 4th October 1917. He was transferred to London General Hospital, but due to the severity of the injury, was returned to Australia on the 20th December 1917. His appointment was terminated on 26th March 1918.