Pedantic_Potato

Thank you for the reply REME 245, but I have already referenced this digitized sizing list of 1949 Pattern Battledress. What I'm looking for is actual overall length of the blouse from the top its collar to the bottom of its waist, which I believe is translated on this sizing sheet as a height range of a male soldier. I'm wondering what the measurements of the blouse itself are behind these height ranges.

Hello everyone, I was recently fortunate to quite a very nice pair of 1952 dated, Size 16 1949 Pattern Battledress Trousers from an online auction. I know hope to acquire a 1949 Pattern Blouse to complete the Battledress set. Does any one have any information of the overall length (from the top of the collar to the bottom of the waist) of one of these blouses in the size range of 13-18? I'm an even 6' 1" tall, so I'm trying to figure out the most available size that would fit me comfortably (i.e. be able to scramble up some rocks). Thanks in advance for any advice.

Thanks for that primary source, Clive! I do wonder if the whole army metrified at the same time or did so gradually across different garments/production runs such as that seen with 1968 Pattern Combat Smocks having imperial numbered sizes linked to NATO metric measurements.

My mistake on the KF Shirts as I used that term to refer to the "wool mix," easily faded shirt you describe. I succumbed to using the shorthand I've seen from other forums and posts that referred to the "wool mix" one as "KF" or "Hairy Mary" (I think the collar label terms it "Shirt, Mans Combat") or similar. With that, I apologize for not being accurate in that regard and thank you for pointing that error out on my part. With regards to your statements on the endless variations of officer, OR, and regimental dress trends, I believe that period photographs are important to help keep one's head out of the weeds so to speak and focus their study. Looking at one soldier's dress and it individual idiosyncrasies is certainly easier to process and discuss than say a whole regiment's or theatre. To round this off and clarify a question that I asked at the start of this thread: What are the size measurements of various sizes of the KF Shirts that were introduced alongside 1949 Pattern Battledress and lasted in service until the introduction of the "wool mix" shirts in the 1970s?

Sorry for the delay in replying. Thank you for clarifying the "DefStans" acronym Clive! With regards to the documents you list, the size measurements that I'm looking for would be associated with the Khaki (Karkee) Flannel Shirts from the early '70s and the wool-mix shirts used before the KF's introduction. After looking at a description of No. 1, 2, and 6 Dress, I don't think the document titled "Service Uniform (Men) No 1, No 2, and No 6 Dress 1980" would contain the size measurement information of the KF and earlier wool shirts (it looks like those would be associated with No. 8 Dress or 14 Dress). However, I could be wrong as you have access to the document and I am only working off a secondary source's description (plus there's the individual variations like an officer wearing the No. 2 Dress khaki shirt and tie under a No. 8 Dress combat smock).

Does that happen to show the conversions between Imperial sizes (numbered) and NATO (centimeters)? I am unfamiliar with the "DefStan" acronym, what does it stand for (I figure probably "Defence Standards" from the UK)?

Would you happen to know if there was a pattern of sizes for the "wool mix combat shirt" introduced after 1971? i.e. size 2 fitted for 44" chest or similar measurements (size 1 = 40"/size 0 = 36"?)? Thank you for this trove of insights 10FM68! From wearing my massive pair of 1968 Pattern Smock and Trousers, I figured the blousing of the smock helped to get the "skirt" of the smock out of the way if you had to climb over obstacles or similar, but I don't think that holds much water given my lack of experience wearing them. I've seen images of British troops on bases in Afghanistan wearing stable belts with their combat shirts and trousers. I suppose that if you're lucky enough to get a nice fitting set of 1968 Pattern Trousers then you wouldn't really need a belt necessarily... A couple of the Royal Marine Mountain and Artic Warfare Training Cadre leaders wear a OG version of the cap that looks like they nicked a Norwegian soldier's combat cap and attached Royal Marine badges to them. I remember seeing this in "Behind The Lines" by the BBC from 1985. I can appreciate the features the DPM combat caps bring to the table over a beret, now just to find one for my outsize noggin'. Looking back at the photo album on Facebook, you appear to be correct 10FM68. Here's a link to the full set: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=cheshiremilitarymuseum&set=a.2292546280846317. It's an interesting set of web equipment loadouts that's for sure. The rightmost lad on the mortar seems to have a 1958 Pattern water bottle in what could be either a US or AUS M1956-type water bottle pouch. The soldier on the left of the mortar also seems to have mess tins in one of the 1944 Pattern water bottle pouches/covers. I love seeing all the little variations; it reminds me of the climbing harness loadouts of alpine climbers! Thank you all for the informative replies! The primary sources were a great addition fv1609!

Good morning, I have a couple random questions about the sizes and ways British Army combat dress was worn in the post-war years that I hope aren't too esoteric. 1) What are the general size ranges for what I think are 1949 and 1951 Pattern Wool Collared Shirts? On a related note, anyone have a good shorthand estimate for the KF Shirts and earlier green wool collared shirts that appeared in the '70s? I do not, for a second, trust the "measurements" given on eBay and the likes. 2) I've noticed in period photos with soldiers wearing 1968 Pattern Smocks that some elect to "blouse" their smock "bottoms" (can't think of another word for it at the moment...). What was the purpose behind this? Also, how common was it to see 1968 Pattern Smocks with their associated Smock Hoods attached/used? 3) If a soldier were to, say, wear just his combat shirt (wool, KF, GS) and trousers (DPM combat or OG lightweights) alone without a Combat Smock, then how would the trousers be secured? Would it be with a stable belt or a belt from the 1958 Pattern Web Equipment? Sorry if this is a bit of a naïve question, but I have only been able to find photographic sources from the 1990s with an answer to this question, and I am looking for what was done in earlier periods. I hope that all makes sense, and I look forward to any insight that you all may have about them. Happy Holidays! P.S. I figure I might share an interesting photo I've found in my research since I made you read all that... Here's a cool webbing loadout from the Cheshire Regiment's Facebook page.

Added to the book list! Thanks for the recommendation! Illustrations are always nice since top-down charts can only tell so much with swirling actions.

I'll be sure to keep them coming and be prepared to answer those of others then! That was an informative read, TonyB; particularly since I had not previously heard of USN PT boats operating in that manner in the European Theatre. Thank you for that article! I guess another area I am interested in military history wise, aside from British Empire/Commonwealth conflicts, is the Asia-Pacific War of the Second World War. I've read about a few PT boat actions during that conflict, but I've only really scratched the surface. (My book wishlist has only gotten longer over time, despite telling myself otherwise... haha)

Nice to make your acquaintance teletech and TonyB! I've been lurking the last couple months just scrolling through older posts, but I guess I'll have to throw up one of my own with a bunch of small questions about British/Commonwealth kit. It's great to have everyone and their own individual expertise or familiarity with subjects on the Forum. Happy Holidays!

Hello everyone! I'm Zeke Hocking. I am a twenty-something recent university graduate, in anthropology, that spends far too much time reading, researching, and learning about military history, particularly that of the UK in the time since, well, the USA declared its independence. I find the immediate post-Second World War period and the Cold War to be interesting from a collector and historical perspective due to all the twists and turns (large and small) that occurred as the British Empire was dismantled (?, I don't have a good single word to describe the process, hence my interest hah!) over the course of 50-odd years. TL;DR: Wars and conflicts of decolonization are a big part of my "jam," both for books, gear, and esoteric pieces of knowledge. I also enjoy learning about, collecting, and shooting military surplus firearms in a manner that utilizes period tests and measurements to challenge the rifles, pistols, and my own skills using them. Having an accompanying interest in military equipment and clothing is neat because it allows me to look absurd at public shooting ranges and always have a topic of conversation other than the firearms themselves (I have the BritishMuzzleloaders channel to thank for that!). That all being said, this forum has let me expand my knowledge on these subjects quite a bit when I was not a registered user. Feel free to chat if you have any questions or comments (I am not actually pedantic in the sense of being an "expert;" while I have learned a lot, I also realize that my knowledge is dwarfed by the sheer enormity of the subjects that interest me.). I'm looking forward to my time on the forum.