17th Field Regiment RCA Battledress Blouse

[Hallibag]

Yesterday, I picked up this battledress blouse that came from a local estate sale. As you’ll see, its collar has been modified to an “open” style. Would this have likely been done during the war? I’ve heard that soldiers in Italy were known to have their uniforms tailored in strange ways...

[RvL]

Nice uniform. Any name in it?

[WTolleson1940]

Looks nice. Thanks for showing.

Calloway

[08SMLE48]

Usually open collars were worn by officers who were required to wear a tie while in their “walking out” battle dress. Not sure if regulation allowed the enlisted man’s blouse to be worn with the open collar especially on that of a lance corporal. Perhaps it was an old blouse tailored after the war to match the P49 cut and style.

[Hallibag]

RvL,

There’s no name on the blouse, but the owner’s I.D. card was in the top pocket. He’s mentioned in the 17th RCA’s wartime history, printed in Holland in 1945. I’ll be receiving his wartime journals soon.