Proper Under SD Tunic attire for Display - Middlesex Reg Cuff Rank Tunic Lt

[ATLWW1]

I have been putting together the pieces for a nice torso display. Finally found a good 1905 Pattern Khaki Middlesex Reg original Cap.

Tunic came with Sam Brown, 1917 dated Webley Holster which now holds a proper 100% correct 1915 .455 Webley with Lanyard.

Also Got a nice pair of WW1 period French binoculars in case (Private Purchase put into military use - They are Id'ed to a LT on the case).

 

The Sword I am going to display on the belt is a purchase I highly prize - Model 1897 Infantry Officers Sword etched and Engraved to Cuthbert Trelawder MacLean

He was a Clergyman in New Zealand before joining the 4th Fusiliers. Highly decorated for his Infantry Service in France before multiple wounds to his knee allowed him to join the RFC.

His service was exceptional, becoming a pilot and being credited for downing at least one German plane. He went on to become Air Vice Marshal. To say I am proud to own this piece is an understatement. I have built a complete portfolio on him - a true war hero.

***What would be proper for Service Dress attire under a tunic?

I have seen nice thick Olive Green Jumpers with roll neck that look great - BUT - they are not so easy to find (and I mean just a cheap cotton Olive Drab Men's Turtlenecks).

 

A gentleman here in the states sells a very nice all cotton WW1 Repro Officers Collared Polin shirt for $20 US. Not sure what tie though?

Also many Officers I see in shirt and tie have either a safety pin or some kind of collar bar under the tie - what is that if I can ask in my ignorance?

 

The Tunic is solid, good quality, but certainly field worn and shows lots of field repairs. I would like something "not too formal" shall I say - representative of an officer in the field.
 

[ATLWW1]

Here is a nice picture of Officer MacLean in his service dress for Fusiliers - shirt and tie - with "safety pin"?

[Andrew Upton]

1 hour ago, ATLWW1 said:

***What would be proper for Service Dress attire under a tunic?

 

...

 

A gentleman here in the states sells a very nice all cotton WW1 Repro Officers Collared Polin shirt for $20 US. Not sure what tie though?

Also many Officers I see in shirt and tie have either a safety pin or some kind of collar bar under the tie - what is that if I can ask in my ignorance?

 

The Tunic is solid, good quality, but certainly field worn and shows lots of field repairs. I would like something "not too formal" shall I say - representative of an officer in the field.

 

 

1 hour ago, ATLWW1 said:

Here is a nice picture of Officer MacLean in his service dress for Fusiliers - shirt and tie - with "safety pin"?

 

 

The "safety pin" is what is actually called a "collar pin" - they serve little purpose other than the military fashion in the period was for close fitting collars, which they help achieve. They turn up regularly on sites like Ebay, eg:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-Collar-Pins-on-card-advertising-gold-tone-Peaky-Blinders/164096469091?hash=item2634e96863:g:5A0AAOSwlTFeVQ1r

 

Any silk/cotton/cloth/knitted/woven tie in a suitable khaki shade should be perfectly acceptable for the period, they can be found in a huge variety in the period.

 

Shirts generally are similar, cotton/wool/flannel/etc are all acceptable. Generally speaking they would be of the half-button front variety with separate collar, but again lots of variety in the period.

Edited 18 April , 2020 by Andrew Upton

[ATLWW1]

Thank you so much! I know exactly what to get now.

[FROGSMILE]

7 hours ago, ATLWW1 said:

Thank you so much! I know exactly what to get now.

The regular battalions of the RF (1st to 4th at that time) favoured a brownish shade of shirt that toned well with the service dress uniform.  It was often referred to as Guards pattern, but there were a variety of suppliers.  The service battalions were less fussy and in contemporary photos you can see a variety of shades, some of them quite pale.  Ties were usually silk poplin.
 

Photos courtesy of the Imperial War Museum, London, and Radley College archive.

 

Edited 18 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[mark holden]

A dapper Royal Fusiliers Officer sporting a cravate and tie pin.

 

Regards

 

Mark

[mark holden]

A couple of WW1 officer collars and ties.