Description
Physical description
Single-breasted tunic of dark blue cloth, featuring a square stand collar of scarlet cloth edged with gold cord and faced with gold-wire lace, revealing a thin strip of scarlet, and with gold-wire globe and laurel badges to either side, closed by two pairs of hook and eye fastenings at the throat. A detachable epaulette of twisted gold braid and the silver-embroidered rank insignia of Lieutenant Colonel, being a Crown and star, is fitted to the right shoulder (the left epaulette is missing). The front of the tunic is fastened by nine gilt Royal Marines pattern buttons, the lowest in line with the waist seam. To each cuff is an outward-facing, vertically-arranged triple-point slash flap of dark blue cloth and ½" gold lace edging, fitted with three decorative RM buttons corresponding to each of the three points, each surrounded with further gold lace. The slash flaps are bisected by a single band of ¾" gold lace. At the rear of the tunic's skirt are a pair of inward-facing, vertically-arranged triple-point slash flaps, reaching from the bottom of the skirt to the waist seam, edged with gold braid and fitted with three decorative RM buttons at each point.
Label
As stipulated by the 1937 Royal Marines Dress Regulations, Officers' No. 1 Full Dress, or 'Review Order', was worn on ceremonial occasions. It consisted of the dark blue cloth tunic, dark blue overalls, black Wellington boots, WP helmet with gilt curb chain, sword and steel scabbard, sword belt and knot, crimson sash and white kid gloves. Full Dress was suspended on the outbreak of the Second World War by RM Circular No. 5079/39.Q.
History note
Harry Duncan Weir served as an Officer in the Royal Marines during the First World War and was appointed Colonel Commandant during the Second World War, serving as RM Aide-de-Camp to HM the King from August 1943. Weir was promoted to Major General in October 1943.