description
Physical description
Single breasted four-pocket jacket with open 'stepped' collar, pleated breast pockets and flapped bellows pockets to the lower skirts. The jacket features bronzed metal rank pips to the epaulettes and has bronzed metal regimental pattern collar badges fitted. Gilt regimental pattern buttons are present, and cuffs feature conventional inverted 'V' cuff decoration. To the lower right sleeve is sewn a panel of four blue overseas service chevrons, and scarlet diamond-shaped brigade patches are sewn to each upper arm. To the rear, below the collar of the jacket, is sewn an upright bar bisected with three horizontals in yellow (50th Division). Above the left breast pocket are the ribbons of the following awards: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-1920; Victory Medal.
Label
This jacket was by a Lieutenant Smith, of the 17th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. Originally the 5th Garrison Guard Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment, it was redesignated the 17th (Garrison) Battalion in May 1918 and attached to the 176th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. On 6th July the battalion was re-named the 17th (Service) Battalion.
Following severe losses sustained by the 59th Division on the Somme and the Lys in early 1918 during the German Offensive, it was reconstituted and reinforced with troops form Garrison Guard Battalions, later coming under the command of the Third Army. Deployed on the Western Front, the Division, although relegated to being a second-grade formation, it fought in the Third Battle of Albert 21st -22nd August) and the advance in Artois and Flanders (2nd October – 11th November). In early October it had passed to the command of the Fifth Army, and at the time of the Armistice halted north-east of Tournai, in Belgium, having liberated the City of Lille in France on 23rd October and been the first formation to cross the Schedlt.
