Allied prisoner of war greatcoat

Heavy black wool single breasted greatcoat with rounded stand and fall collar, two side pockets with flaps and epaulettes at shoulders. A wide inset brown wool band is at the elbow of the left arm. The coat has a vertical rear vent secued by two brass buttons, a self fabric waist adjustment belt secured at the back with three buttons and is fastened down the front by five brass buttons. The sleeves are lined with cream cotton, the inner back yoke, inner pockets and inside shoulder straps with dark blue cotton drill.

First World War allied prisoners of war (POW) from the ranks in Germany were issued with black dyed uniforms with an identifying brown cotton band or stripe. Most uniforms were supplied by the British Red Cross, who had an arrangement with Germany to transport the uniforms on neutral ships. These POW uniforms were standard British Army khaki uniforms that were dyed and modified for easy identification of the wearer's status. Officers were permitted to wear their own uniforms.