American Field Service BD serving with French Army

**Scott Banaszynski** · 02-25-2019, 01:39 PM

I recently obtained this battledress blouse that belonged to a member of the American Field Service. As you can see in the photos, the collar insignia is French and the shoulder slides are I believe for an Aspirant or Lieutenant. It came out of New York but there was no name associated with this BD. I am in contact with the seller in the hope that he can provide additional information that would identify the owner. Of the more than 2000 AFS men that served overseas, only a fraction served under the French in Africa and later with the French 1st Army in 1944-45. There is no label but there is an illegible oval shaped ink stamp in the lining.

American Field Service BD serving with French Army

I believe that this is a 1940 pattern BD based on my research done on this forum. Is this a Commonwealth manufactured BD or perhaps a US War Aid item ? The matchbook was found in the pocket. Thanks in advance.
Scott

**MAP** · 02-25-2019, 03:55 PM

Not my area but I do own a WW1 AFS helmet and uniform. Anything AFS is rare as heck

Interesting however to see it on a WW2 uniform

**Scott Banaszynski** · 02-25-2019, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the reply. Yes it is rare and somewhat odd to find an American wearing British battledress bearing French insignia. That's what makes this hobby so enjoyable.
I would love to see the WW1 uniform if you post it or point me towards the forum thread if you posted it previously.
Regards,
Scott

**MAP** · 02-25-2019, 05:50 PM

WW1 US Tunic - Ambulance Corp/AFS

**Scott Banaszynski** · 02-25-2019, 08:05 PM

Fantastic tunic and Adrian helmet.
Thanks for sharing.

**MAP** · 02-25-2019, 08:12 PM

by Scott Banaszynski

Fantastic tunic and Adrian helmet.
Thanks for sharing.

Just got lucky....tunic was on a rack at a show. And the helmet was sourced by a local picker

**reneblacky** · 02-25-2019, 08:15 PM

Tunic looks to be NZ made

**Scott Banaszynski** · 02-26-2019, 05:13 PM

Thank you Rene.
That will actually be of great help in researching who might have owned this jacket. Also from every account that I have read, the AFS and New Zealand Forces held each other in high esteem.
Regards, Scott

**Scott Banaszynski** · 03-01-2019, 12:25 PM

Thanks again Rene. you were 100 % correct.
Using a magnifying glass, I was able to make out Millers Ltd. Christchurch as the manufacturer of this BD.

**Loupie1961** · 04-29-2019, 09:55 AM

Hello Scott, for your interest: another example of a British BD "pressed" into US Army service: 5th US Army Battledress Blouse: WA come home! Here what's interesting is that the BD blouse as a matter of fact is US Made, sent as War Aid to the British Army.