Description
Physical description
Single-breasted waist-length blouse of khaki-brown wool serge, featuring a stand-and-fall collar with double hook-and-eye closure at the throat, button-down shoulder epaulettes, fly-concealed front fastening of five buttons, pleated breast pockets with pointed concealed button flaps, button cuffs, three buttonholes to the inner waistband for the attachment of the trousers and an integral waistbelt which fastens to a sliding metal buckle fitted to the right waistband. All buttons apart from the epaulettes buttons are of the brass dished type. Internally, there is a chest pocket to either side made of cotton drill.
Sewn to either collar point is a cloth swallow tail patch in green over yellow (with white central bar). Either shoulder epaulette has an open-ended border of dark silver-grey lace with crimson edging and a downward-pointing chevron of the same material in the centre, denoting the rank of Sierżant (Sergeant), with the left epaulette being faced in black cloth. To either shoulder is sewn a machine-embroidered shoulder title, 'POLAND', in white on red. Below the shoulder title on the left arm is sewn the cloth formation badge of the Polish 1st Armoured Division, being a stylised winged hussar in black on orange. Above the left breast pocket is sewn the medal ribbon bar for the Polish Cross of Valour with two oak leaf devices (denoting three awards), while fitted to the centre of the left breast pocket is the regimental badge of the 10th Mounted Rifles Regiment. A black lanyard is attached to the left shoulder.
History note
Following the fall of Poland in 1939 many men escaped to France and joined the French army. With the collapse of that country others were to reach England during the 1940 evacuation and were later to be joined in 1942 by those who were released from Russian internment, all to be part of the Free Polish forces. Formed in 1942, the 1st Polish Armoured Division served with the Canadian 2nd Corps as part 21st Army Group. They landed in Normandy on 8th August and participated in the great tank battles that followed the Caen break out (Operation Totalize), and had a prominent role in sealing the German retreat at the Falaise Gap. Later the Division fought through Holland and its final action was the capture of the port of Wilhelmshaven. Among the many components of the formation was the 10th Mounted Rifles, who served as the divisional armoured recce regiment, armed with Crusader tanks.
Inscription
Battledress
Blouse, Serge
SIZE No. 17
Height 6ft. 0ins. to 6ft. 2ins.
Breast - 41ins. to 42ins.
Waist - 36ins. to 37ins.
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CLAUDE ALEXANDER LTD.
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Date OCT 1943