AUSTRALIAN ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 103, 28 October 1939, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN ARMY

UNIFORM CHANGES

FELT HAT RETAINED

TROUSERS AND GAITERS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, October m Gaiters will replace puttees in th« [uniform of the Australian Awny. They i will be about six inches high, fastened with three buttons, but their material has not yet been chosen. >: ' The new.uniform will become, tho standard dress except for the garrison battalions formed from original A.I.F. volunteers and the Scottish regiments. The new dress comprises the old AilF. jacket and renowned felt hat, with woollen trousers tucked into the gaiters and overhanging them. Breeches vttll continue to-be worn by horsemen,arid motor- cyclists. '/■;"',;; The dress will not be adopted inaiilediately throughout the Service, but will be given to recruits as they join and as replacements become necessary of uniforms now worn by serving men. The scheme of issue will involve for a time a lack of uniformity in dress,! feut will relieve to some extent the heavy immediate demands on clothing fao tories. . The Scottish regiments, will ra. tain their national dress, and minor variations for particular men within units will be continued. • ' To maintain as far as possible- the ; traditions and distinctive appearance, of the original' A.I.F:, the garrisoa battalions will wear the uniforms adopted for the expeditionary! fdrcet during the last War.* The Second A.LF. will wear the original ..'•A.I.F, badges, but the sleeve colour: patches.-tb;: be worn have not been finally determined. The normal web equipment df tha old A.LF. pattern; will be used by!b hll men except technical units and- Light Horse regiments. Thife equipment consists of a waist belt with two"-shoulder straps, two ammunition pouches, and haversack. Bandolier equipment; will be worn by technical units, and io sonde units, a leather waist belt.