Khaki serge battledress tunic
Date made: c1942
Description: Khaki serge battledress top with sergeant's stripes and medal ribbons, also cloth shoulder titles 'Royal Signals.' There is some evidence for formation sign patches once having been present underneath the titles but now removed. The medal ribbons do not include the 1939-45 War Medal, which was instituted on 16 August 1945, so the tunic was probably last worn prior to this date. There is a cloth maker's label inside 'Schneider & Son Ltd' a firm based in Whitechapel, London and a stamped date which has become obscured: 'Feb 194_'. There is also a W /I\ D stamped acceptance mark, with letter code O which equates to 1942.
Worn by Sergt Stanley Earnshaw (c.1923 - 2010) of the Royal Signals who landed in Normandy with Canadian troops on D+1 and who served throughout the North West Europe Campaign. Donor states that he recalled having to cover the engine of his vehicle with grease prior to crossing to Normandy, and having to clean grease off again on the landing beach. Despite serving with a Canadian division he was disgruntled not to receive Canadian rates of pay, and also having Maple Syrup with everything including bacon. After VE Day he was transferred to the Burma theatre.
Soldiers were allowed to retain battledress on demobilisation if they wished and many were worn out in post war years through being used as garage overalls etc.
Materials: wool
Object name: tunic
Collection: Costume & Textiles Collection
ID Number: 2021-0021