Description
Physical description
Full-length double-breasted frock coat of dark blue cloth, featuring a stand collar closed at the throat by two pairs of hook and eye fastenings and a concealed tab, epaulettes to the shoulder and a front fastening of two rows of six gilt Royal Marines pattern buttons (one missing). To each cuff is an outward-facing, vertically-arranged triple-point slash flap of the same material as the coat, fitted with three decorative RM buttons corresponding to each of the three points. The rear skirt of the coat is pleated in several locations from the waist seam to half-way down the skirt, with two decorative buttons fitted at the waist seam and two rows of two along the pleats.
The collar is fitted with gold-embroidered Royal Marines Globe & Laurel badges to either side, while to the epaulettes is the gold-embroidered rank insignia of Lieutenant Colonel, being one Crown and one star. Sewn to the left breast are the following medal ribbons: 1914-15 Star; War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19.
Label
As stipulated by the Royal Marines Dress Regulations of 1939, No. 2 Dress, or 'Undress Order', was worn when on military duty at District Courts-Martial and garrison or other Courts of Enquiry, when on Naval duty and not parading with troops, or at dances and entertainments afloat or ashore in the daytime. It consisted of the frock coat, forage cap, overalls, Wellington boots, Full Dress sword belt and knot, sword and steel scabbard, crimson sash and white gloves.
The Frock Coat ceased to be an item of RM dress in 1949.
History note
Elliot Evill Johnson, born 3 July 1897 in Wimbledon, was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1915. During the First World War, Johnson took part in the Battle of Jutland aboard HMS Thunderer, and from January 1918 served with the British Expeditionary Force in France as part of Royal Marines Artillery (RMA) Howitzer Brigade, No. 2 Gun. He served throughout the interwar years in various staff appointments, reaching the rank of Major by 1935. During the Second World War he served as Assistant Naval Attache to the British Embassy in Ankara from 1940-41, Commanding Officer of Royal Marines Fortress Unit (RMFU) from 1941-42 and Colonel Commandant of RM Technical Training Depot from 1944-45. In November 1948 he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to HM the King before his retirement in March 1950.
Johnson's full service records are held by the National Archives under reference number ADM 196/65/53.