Greatcoat : Private Robert Samuel Tuckerman, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, AIF

Other rank's khaki wool greatcoat. The single breasted loose-fitting coat has shoulder straps, deep turn back cuffs, a stand and fall collar with a hook and eye fastener. There are sloping inset pockets over each hip with rectangular flaps. The back of the coat has a loose inverted pleat extending from the neck to the hem. An adjustable self fabric strap sits across the back waist with three black buttons. A long back vent, allowing the coat to be worn by mounted troops, extends from hip level to the hem and can be fastened with two buttons. The buttons on the coat are black celluloid. The collar of the coat can be turned up and secured by a self fabric tab. The body of the coat is unlined. The sleeves and pockets are lined with cream linen. A ferrous hook and eye is sewn on the bottom front corners, and a khaki hanging loop has been stitched to the inside collar. stasmped in black ink on the inside left pocket in 'SIZE 4 F(BROAD ARROW) W'.

Born in Bendigo, Victoria Private Robert Samuel Tuckerman (service number 742), then a barman working in Melbourne, enlisted in the AIF in March 1915, and was posted to C Company, 24th Battalion. The uinit sialed from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on the 8h May 1915. After training in Egypt the battalion landed at Gallipoli on 30 August. Tuckerman transferred to B Company, 2nd Pioneer Battalion in Egypt on 4 March 1916, moving with them to France for service on the Western Front. Tuckerman survied the war without a recorded injury and returned to Australia 30April 1919. He was discharged on 29 June.

Pioneer battalions supported both the engineers by performing tasks which did not required the specialist equipment of the engineers, such as trench building, maintenance of roads and railways. They were also able to support the infantry battalion by fighting in the front line when required.