The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Other ranks' dark blue wool serge trousers with narrow scarlet superfine stripe incorporated into open french side seams. Leg width is the same down to the cuff which is slightly higher at the front. Waist is lined with a fancy blue and white striped fabric and an unbleached plain weave linen. Side welt pockets are lined with a heavy white cotton twill. On the inside of the wearer's right pocket is 'Martin C5740' handwritten in black ink. The buttoned fly has dark grey coated wooden buttons. The trousers are machine and hand sewn.
In 1885, the colonial government of NSW approached the British government with an offer to assist in the recapture of the Sudan from the Dervish Army of Muhammed Ahmed. In the early 1880s the Sudan had been under the control of a British-backed Egyptian regime. The British government accepted with the proviso that the NSW contingent be under British command. The contingent consisted of an infantry battalion and an artillery battery and left for the Sudan in March 1885. This was the first time that soldiers in the pay of a self-governing Australian colony had fought in an imperial war. They were issued with scarlet tunics, like the one here, dark blue trousers and white pith helmets with pugarees. This uniform is an example of the type worn to the Sudan, although once there they were there the men were re-kitted with khaki drill uniforms more suited to the climate.
Scarlet superfine tunic with blue stand collar, shoulder straps and cuffs bordered with white superfine piping. The centre front, back waist and shoulder straps have silver coloured NSW Military Force
Helmet, probably made from cork, and covered with six panels of heavily coated white cotton drill fabric. The outside of helmet has a narrow hatband of the same fabric. A large nickel plated badge bac
Dark blue high waisted wool trousers with broad 45mm scarlet wool stripes extending down each leg. The waist is lined with unbleached calico that appears to have been hand coloured after manufacture.
Dark blue wool serge trousers with narrow scarlet superfine wool stripe extending down each side seam. Vertical welt pockets at each side seam lined with khaki plain weave, slubbed cotton. Black cellu
Dark blue wool serge trousers with wide scarlet stripe extending down side seams. Side pockets at each side seam lined with white cotton twill. Illegible blue writing on left pocket lining. Celluloid
Dark blue heavy weight wool serge trousers with scarlet superfine stripe extending down the side seams. Straight legged trousers with side welt pockets lined with cream cotton twill. Metal buttoned wa
