British issue Aertex bush jacket : Lieutenant R J Fletcher, 2 RAR

Place Asia: Malaya
Accession Number REL28226.001
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Uniform
Physical description Cotton, Plastic
Location Main Bld: Korea, Malaya & Indonesia Gallery: Lower Level: Malayan Emergency
Maker Unknown
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 1950s
Conflict Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960
Description

British Army issue jungle green Aertex long sleeved safari style bush jacket with epaulettes. The jacket is fastened by four green plastic buttons, and the same style of button is used on the pockets, epaulettes and cuffs. The two breast pockets are pleated and have button flap closures, while the waist pockets have no pleats and the flaps are non-buttoning. The back of the jacket has two pleats, which were originally stitched down at yoke and at the the waist, but which are now undone at the waist. An external belt would have originally been sewn to the back of the jacket, but has been unpicked and removed.

History / Summary

Associated with the service of 235080 Robert John Fletcher. Bob Fletcher was born in Cowra in 1932, and entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon in February 1951. He graduated in December 1954, and served with 2 RAR in Malaya between 1955 and 1957 commanding rifle and mortar platoons. Note that, although the bush jacket was designed to be worn 'safari style' over other garments, it was commonly worn as a shirt and tucked in to the trousers by Australians serving in Malaya.