Frock coat : Lieutenant General Sir J Monash, Australian Army

Dark blue superfine wool frock coat with blue velvet stand collar and 80 mm round cuffs. The collar is secured by two large black metal hooks and eyes and a black fabric tab protects the throat. The frock coat is double-breasted with two rows of buttons down the front, seven in each row. All the large gilt buttons have raised 'GVR' (George V) surrounded by 'AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH'. An Imperial crown surmounts the initials.

On the left breast pocket is a three-tiered ribbon bar representing the awards of: Knights Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG), Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath (KBE), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal, Volunteer Officers' Decoration, Belgian Order of the Crown, Belgian Croix de Guerre, French Legion d'Honneur, French Croix de Guerre, and United States Distinguished Service Medal (Army). There are 15 embroidered loops on the left front to enable the wearer to add decorations.

Lining is silk/cotton mixture with quilting to the waist. Sleeves are lined with cream and brown striped cotton sateen. Two fabric covered buttons are on the inside to fasten the coat. The shoulder cords are twisted gold-covered cord secured to a red wool base plate with an 'AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH' George V gilt button, and a small fabric tab enables the cord to be attached to the coat shoulder. A gold thread crossed baton and sword, star and red velvet crown are stitched to the cords. The rear of the coat has a black metal belt hook only on the left side. The single vent reaches to the waist and has two large gilt buttons on the waist, and one at the bottom of each decorative skirt flap. All the buttons were made by 'F. STILLWELL & SON LONDON'.

John Monash was born in Melbourne on 27 June 1865. He was dux of Scotch College and studied arts and engineering at Melbourne University, where he was also involved in debating and student politics. Outside of university he dabbled in acting. In 1884 he joined the university company of the 4th Battalion, Victorian Rifles.

Monash worked on the construction of the Princes Bridge in Melbourne and in 1888 was placed in charge of constructing a new railway even though he had yet to complete his degree. Monash married Hannah Moss in April 1891. He finished his studies in 1895 and, having decided to combine engineering with a military career, was promoted to captain in the Garrison Artillery that year. In 1897 Monash was promoted to major in the North Melbourne Battery and served there for 11 years.

Meanwhile, he and a friend had established a private engineering practice in 1894. The business grew steadily but a series of setbacks left him with large debts in 1902. Starting again, Monash recovered and became wealthy. He also gained promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Australian Intelligence Corps in 1908. Now prospering in business and the Army, in 1913 Colonel Monash took command of the 13th Infantry Brigade.

After the outbreak of war, Monash took command of the AIF's 4th Infantry Brigade, landing at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915. In July he was promoted to brigadier. Monash took his brigade to France in June 1916. He became a major general in July and took command of the 3rd Division. The division's first major battle, Messines, was hailed as a great success. Further success followed. In January 1918 Monash was made a Knight Commander of the Bath, the knighthood being invested in the field by King George V at Monash's headquarters at Bertangles on 12 August. In May 1918, Monash was promoted to lieutenant general and given command of the Australian Corps. His first battle in this role, Hamel, came to be considered the 'perfect battle'. Monash remained in command through the victorious battles in the last months of the war.

After spending eight months in London overseeing the repatriation of the AIF, Monash was welcomed home in Melbourne by an enthusiastic public on Boxing Day 1919. He returned to business and in 1920 became manager of Victoria's State Electricity Commission. An advocate for returned soldiers, Monash also held a range of high-level positions. His opinions were widely sought and he became a leading figure in Melbourne's Jewish community.

Monash was promoted to general in November 1929. He died of heart disease in Melbourne on 8 October 1931 and was given a state funeral attended by some 250,000 mourners.