The Canadian Battle Dress.
The standard uniform for all ranks of the Canadian Army during the Second World War was Serge Battledress. Adopted by the British in 1937 and by Canada in 1939, it was worn on parades, in the field as combat dress and worn off duty as a walking out dress.
Several other nations also produced variants of Battle Dress during the Second World War: Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa. Canadian and British made battledresses were generally similar in design however there were major differences in materials and construction. British battledress was made of a brownish wool serge and was closely cut in order to save on material. Canadian battledress was greener than the British and was cut fuller in the waist and shoulders.
Initially, all ranks were to wear the collar of the blouse closed, however it was not long before officers were permitted to wear the blouse collar open, showing a shirt collar and necktie. Blouse collars were often lined with battldress material or khaki cotton. Until late 1944, Other Ranks were not permitted to wear the collar open, even off duty.
The main features of the trousers were a large map pocket on the left leg and a small pocket for the field dressing on the front right hip. Three buttons on the outside of the trouser waist were used to fasten the trousers to the blouse in order to prevent the blouse riding up in the back. Six buttons for the attachment of braces were sewn on the inside of the waist.
The standard uniform for all ranks of the Canadian Army during the Second World War was Serge Battledress. Adopted by the British in 1937 and by Canada in 1939, it was worn on parades, in the field as combat dress and worn off duty as a walking out dress.
Several other nations also produced variants of Battle Dress during the Second World War: Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa. Canadian and British made battledresses were generally similar in design however there were major differences in materials and construction. British battledress was made of a brownish wool serge and was closely cut in order to save on material. Canadian battledress was greener than the British and was cut fuller in the waist and shoulders.
Initially, all ranks were to wear the collar of the blouse closed, however it was not long before officers were permitted to wear the blouse collar open, showing a shirt collar and necktie. Blouse collars were often lined with battldress material or khaki cotton. Until late 1944, Other Ranks were not permitted to wear the collar open, even off duty.
The main features of the trousers were a large map pocket on the left leg and a small pocket for the field dressing on the front right hip. Three buttons on the outside of the trouser waist were used to fasten the trousers to the blouse in order to prevent the blouse riding up in the back. Six buttons for the attachment of braces were sewn on the inside of the waist.
Battle Dress: Essex Scottish Regiment, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.
Dated: June 1942.
Worn by T.G. Botterill, Service number A-490707
Dated: June 1942.
Worn by T.G. Botterill, Service number A-490707
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On 1 September 1939, the Essex Scottish Regiment, C.A.S.F. was mobilized. Within only a few days the Regiment had recruited a full strength force, including a notable number of Americans.
On 16 August 1940 the Regiment set sail for England as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. It was two years later before they experienced their first fight, the Dieppe Raid, 19 August 1942, which left the Regiment almost completely decimated.
On that ill-fated day, a misleading message was received by the headquarters ship, which led officials to believe that the Essex Scottish Regiment had breached the seawall successfully and were making headway in the town, when in fact they were on the pebble covered beach, pinned down and being fired at by the enemy. By the end of the Dieppe Raid, the Essex Scottish Regiment had suffered 121 fatal casualties.
In July 1944, after regaining their strength, the Regiment moved on to northwestern Europe. They landed on the coast of Normandy and fought their way through France, Holland, and Germany until the end of the war in the fall of 1945.
By the wars end, the Essex Scottish Regiment had suffered more than 550 war dead and had been inflicted with the highest number of casualties of any unit in the Canadian Army during the Second World War, more than 2,500. The Regiment returned home after the war in 1945, where they were disbanded on December 15.
On 16 August 1940 the Regiment set sail for England as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. It was two years later before they experienced their first fight, the Dieppe Raid, 19 August 1942, which left the Regiment almost completely decimated.
On that ill-fated day, a misleading message was received by the headquarters ship, which led officials to believe that the Essex Scottish Regiment had breached the seawall successfully and were making headway in the town, when in fact they were on the pebble covered beach, pinned down and being fired at by the enemy. By the end of the Dieppe Raid, the Essex Scottish Regiment had suffered 121 fatal casualties.
In July 1944, after regaining their strength, the Regiment moved on to northwestern Europe. They landed on the coast of Normandy and fought their way through France, Holland, and Germany until the end of the war in the fall of 1945.
By the wars end, the Essex Scottish Regiment had suffered more than 550 war dead and had been inflicted with the highest number of casualties of any unit in the Canadian Army during the Second World War, more than 2,500. The Regiment returned home after the war in 1945, where they were disbanded on December 15.
Battle Dress: Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.
Rank: Corporal, Ammunition Examiner (AE).
Dated: 1943
This jacket has a modified collar, was worn with a shirt and necktie.
Rank: Corporal, Ammunition Examiner (AE).
Dated: 1943
This jacket has a modified collar, was worn with a shirt and necktie.
Battle Dress: Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.
Rank: Captain, Brigade Headquarter, 6th Brigade
Dated: 1943
Rank: Captain, Brigade Headquarter, 6th Brigade
Dated: 1943
Greatcoat: The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.
Rank: Lieutenant.
Tailored by: The House of Stone, Toronto (Stone's Clothes)
THIS CUSTOM MADE WARTIME GREATCOAT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY A MUSEUM FROM ONTARIO
Rank: Lieutenant.
Tailored by: The House of Stone, Toronto (Stone's Clothes)
THIS CUSTOM MADE WARTIME GREATCOAT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY A MUSEUM FROM ONTARIO