Royal Australian Navy officer's blue winter service jacket : Paymaster Commander H M Johnson

Royal Australian Navy officer's double breasted blue winter service jacket. The jacket is made of wool serge and has a notched collar with a button hole in each lapel. A slanted pocket is located on the left breast and a further two pockets are inset below the waist. A fourth pocket is located on the inside of the right side. Two rows of four brass buttons with RAN insignia run down the front of the jacket. The cuffs of each sleeve bear gold lace rank inignia for commander inset with white cloth for a paymaster.

Worn by Paymaster Commander Hugh Malanai Johnson, Johnson joined the Royal Australian Navy with the rank of Boy, 2 Class and boarded his first ship, HMAS Tingira, on 13 April 1921. During his naval career Johnson served on numerous ships, including HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney and the shore establishment HMAS Cerberus. He joined HMAS Hobart on 8 April 1942 as Paymaster Lieutenant. He was promoted to Acting Paymaster Commander on 25 May 1942, and confirmed in that rank in May 1943. He died when HMAS Hobart was torpedoed by the Japanese near Espiritu Santo in the Solomons on 20 July 1943.