Scarlet tunic : Victoria Volunteer Cadet Corps

Scarlet skirted tunic of wool twill with white wool stand collar, shoulder straps and ornamental cuff slashes and turnback flaps. The lower edge of the collar and three sides of each cuff and turnback flap are edged with navy blue wool piping. The shoulder straps each have a brass VC title and a single Victorian Volunteer Cadet Corps button of the type used 1893 - 1901 and made by Bowley and Co., Melbourne. The cuffs and turnback flaps have three similar buttons. The collar is lined with pale khaki twill cotton and fastens with a single brass hook and eye, with a black patent leather neck tab. The bodice fronts are lined with slightly padded hand stitched khaki twill fabric while the tunic skirt is lined with red wool and cotton mixture. At the top edge of the collar lining is a possible ink signature too faint to be legible. On the wearer's left front lining is an ink or pencil signature '? K. Carroll'. The buttonholes and some areas of minor repair have modern machine stitching.

The Victorian Cadet Corps had its beginnings in 1867 when Captain Frederick Sargood, an officer in the Volunteer Artillery, formed a group of cadets from secondary schools to welcome HRH the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit in 1867. The first gazetted units of cadets appeared on 23 January 1885, again formed by Sargood who was then a Lieutenant-Colonel. By 1885, there were 2000 cadets in Victoria. Uniforms were often handed down to other cadets after use.