Australian War Memorial Logo
Search

Donate Today

  • Collection Open Information Close Information
    • Official Histories & Unit Diaries
    • Understanding the Collection
    • Research at the Memorial
    • Donating to the Collection
    • National Collection Loans
    • Projects
  • People
  • Visit
  • Commemorate Open Information Close Information
    • Last Post Ceremony
    • Honour Rolls
    • Anzac Day
    • Remembrance Day
    • Customs & Ceremony
    • Speeches
  • Learn Open Information Close Information
    • Schools & Teachers
    • Memorial Articles
    • Encyclopedia
    • Understanding Military Structure
    • Podcasts
    • Glossary
    • Magazine
  • Get Involved Open Information Close Information
    • Donations & Bequests
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer at the Memorial
    • Friends of the Memorial
    • eMemorial Newsletter
    • Grants, Scholarships & Residencies
    • Research Papers
  • Shop Open Information Close Information
    • Memorial Shop
    • Images, film and sound
    • Lone Pine Seedlings

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Visit
  3. Exhibitions
  4. Allies in adversity, Australia and the Dutch in th...
  5. Allies in adversity: Australia and the Dutch in th...
  6. Allies in adversity, Australia and the Dutch in th...

Main navigation

  • Other Exhibitions
  • Current Exhibitions
  • Past Exhibitions
  • Touring Exhibitions
  • Online Exhibitions

Allies in adversity, Australia and the Dutch in the Pacific War: Australian-made Dutch uniform

The Dutch government-in-exile was keen for its troops to retain their distinctive national identity. It was considered important that both Allies and subjects of the NEI should be reassured by the sight of recognisably Dutch soldiers in uniform. For this reason, efforts were made to issue NEI troops in Australia with their standard clothing, helmets, and weapons. Since supplies could not match demand, it soon became evident that some items would need to be acquired locally, and Australian manufactured clothing was introduced by early 1943.

These standard Australian pattern uniform items were issued to Dutch servicemen

These standard Australian pattern uniform items were issued to Dutch servicemen. Although identical to the tunic worn by the AIF, this example is stamped on its label with the marking “NEI”. Its brass buttons, manufactured in Melbourne , are imitations of the Dutch originals, and feature the army’s traditional motif of a rampant lion holding a sword. The forage cap is also Australian, but similar in appearance to that worn by Dutch servicemen.

The Dutch forces in Australia were always short of men, and some troops were sent from the colonies in the distant West Indies to assist in the liberation of the East Indies.

 

  • Japanese conquest
  • Prisoners of the Japanese
  • A seafaring nation
  • The Dutch in Australia
    • Activities in Australia
    • The NEI government-in-exile
    • Dutch submarines in Australian waters
    • The Abraham Crijnssen
    • The loss of the Armidale
    • No. 18 (NEI) Squadron, RAAF
    • ‘Smokey’ Dawson
    • Australian-made Dutch uniform
    • NEFIS
    • Australia’s OBOE Operations

Last updated: 22 January 2020

1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

Find out more
2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

Find out more
The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

Find out more
Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

Find out more
Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Location map of The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
View on Google Maps (opens in new window)
Google Map data ©2025 Google
Australian War Memorial Logo
  • Go to AWM Facebook
  • Go to AWM Trip Advisor
  • Go to AWM Instagram
  • Go to AWM Youtube

Footer

  • About
  • Contact
  • Venue Hire
  • Media
  • WM Magazine
  • Donate Today

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe

Legal

  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of information

Copyright 2025 Australian War Memorial, Canberra. All rights reserved