Description
Physical description
Single-breasted Battledress blouse of olive drab serge with stand & fall collar and plain unpleated breast pockets. The front of the blouse is fly-fronted and only the breast pocket and epaulette buttons are exposed. To the upper sleeves ar sewn shoulder titles, 'CITY OF LONDON' machined in white on a red field. Beneath are sewn patches of the 78th Infantry Division, and worsted Sergeant's chevrons. Above the left breast pocket are the ribbo ns ofthe following awards: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star (with metal '1'); Italy Star; Defence Medal; Territorial Efficiency Medal.
A white lanyard is attached to the right shoulder.
Label
This type of Battledress blouse made of olive drab serge with fly front and exposed buttons to the breast pockets was made in the USA as a wartime expedient. Made under the 'War Aid' scheme, such uniform items were manufactured in the United States from 1943 and shipped to British & Commonwealth troops in the Middle East, as well as to Greek, Albanian, Yugoslav and Italian partisans. Those British veterans that continued to wear this prized form in Britain and Europe would have been issued with it in Italy or Egypt.
This example was worn by a sergeant serving with a Territorial artillery regiment that was part of the 78th Infantry Division. This division was formed in the UK in 1942 and as part of the 1st Army was in action in Tunisia before the end of that year and later in Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa. It also served in Sicily and up through Italy, reaching Austria in May, 1945.
History note
Worn by Sergeant A Camidge while serving with the Territorial 138th (City of London) Field Regiment RA, part of the 78th Infantry Division during the Second World War. This division was formed in the UK in 1942 and as part of the 1st Army was in action in Tunisia before the end of that year and later in Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa. It also served in Sicily and up through Italy, reaching Austria in May, 1945.