Royal Naval uniform: pattern 1943

Engineer Commander's working dress blouse, Royal Naval uniform, pattern 1943. It belonged to Edward Napier Green (b. 1903), Acting Temporary Commander RN. It is single breasted with three gilt RN-pattern buttons and an adjustable fastening at the waist with three black plastic buttons. There is a single-button fly fastening at the cuffs and the two patch pockets have gilt buttons. The blouse is fitted with Commander's shoulder straps with purple cloth representing the Engineering Branch between the gold lace. Four medal ribbons are sewn onto the blouse (1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence and War Medals.) It is unlined except for the waistband and cuffs. The trousers accompanying this item are UNI1301.

When the Admiralty came under pressure to allow Naval officers to wear khaki battledress during the Second World War, they somewhat reluctantly introduced this blue equivalent under the name of 'working dress'. It was not to be worn on shore outside Naval establishments, except on active service. The gas mask (UNI1203) and helmet (UNI1173), with other uniform items in this collection, also belonged to Edward Green.

Object Details

ID: UNI1297
Collection: Uniforms; Special collections
Type: Working dress blouse
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Baker Ltd.; Montague Burton Ltd
Date made: 1943
People: Green, Edward Napier, Eng-Cdr,
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Green Blackwall Collection
Measurements: Overall: 563 x 665 mm