Jacket, civilian (Demob suit)

Jacket; double-breasted grey pin-striped jacket of civilian style.

When servicemen completed their period of war service they went to demobilisation centre for processing where their uniform and personal kit was exchanged for a civilian style clothing, known as a 'demob suit'. The man had a choice of clothing but this was limited to a double-breasted pinstripe three-piece suit, or a single-breasted jacket with flannel trousers. Headdress was the conventional felt hat or the optional flat cap. Two shirts (with matching collar studs); a tie; shoes and a raincoat completed ensemble that was produced for the War Department. Clothing was sized and labelled in much the same way as military clothing, together with the WD 'arrow' marking. An identifying label was fitted to the lower left sleeve of the jacket and this was detached when once the suit had been accepted.