WW2 Australian Army kilt apron

[tundramanq]

Just got this in and it is top notch and authentic waist high apron: $28.99 to the US
KILT APRON WW2 AUSTRALIAN ARMY KHAKI COTTON DRILL - MINT/UNISSUED

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151590406490...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It's front side only which means it won't wreak pleats like the carelessly wrapping of the full apron. But not good for sitting on the ground and pitchy logs like the full apron.

Cotton is a lot easier to get grease splatters out of after cooking on the barby - ask me how I know, about every other time....

SIZE NOTES: The drop is 26 inches, it is 19.5 inches across the top and 23 inches across the bottom. I think that M TX refers to size because if you are much bigger than 34 around you will find the straps a bit short to tie. The bottom is un hemmed fabric selvage - seems proper for kilts.

[Bruce Scott]

That's interesting. This photo shows a "Victorian Scottish Battalion" with the full aprons:



https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/158628/

[Lady Grey]

Ooh that's interesting, I really don't need it but my historical clothing research 'itch' is rising.
I remember lots of holidays in Rye where the second photo was taken.

For the military buffs .... Were they training/marching in kilts?
Seems a little strange in the '40s in the midst of the war that they would even bother with kilts?

[Bruce Scott]

They are certainly marching into camp in kilts as shown in the photo. Whether they wore kilts during field training in the 1940s is another matter and I don't have a ready answer.

The 5th Battalion, Victorian Scottish were a Citizen's Military Force (ie, Militia) unit and were home service only. Later in WWII the unit was transferred to the Australian Imperial Force but did not see overseas service. The photo here shows them marching through Perth, WA; the pith helmets have been replaced by Hats, KFF and kilts exchanged for shorts.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/029739/

[tundramanq]

The half apron was a lot more practical in Australia (and here in the desert SW, USA) - three seasons - warm, hot and hotter than hell. The full apron stymies' sweat transport leading to a sweat soaked kilt and the guys overheating.

Just pulled it out of the dryer half dry. Being genuine Army it is high maintenance and will need the iron. No problem with the kilt pressing table and after pressing kilt pleats.

[OC Richard]

That's interesting. This photo shows a "Victorian Scottish Battalion" with the full aprons:



https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/158628/

I see the photo was taken in training camp in 1940. I'll guess that the kilts and pith helmets didn't make it to active service abroad.

[Bruce Scott]

I see the photo was taken in training camp in 1940. I'll guess that the kilts and pith helmets didn't make it to active service abroad.

No, Australia has never deployed a kilted unit to overseas active service.

From Federation in 1901 until the end of hostilities in WWII the Australian Army was made up of a Staff Corps (officers), an Administrative and Instructional Corps (mainly WO instructors and Quartermaster/Adjutants - often previously WOs), Coastal Artillery Batteries and units of the Citizen's Military Force (CMF, generally known as the Militia). The Defence Act of 1903 restricted the Militia to service in Australia and its Territories. For overseas service in WWi and WWII a separate Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was raised. No AIF unit had any sort of Territorial title such the the Victorian Scottish or Queensland Mounted Infantry and uniform was strictly uniform with the exception of identifying unit/formation colour patches and the emu plumes of the Light Horse.

The 5th Victorian Scottish volunteered for overseas active service and was transferred to the AIF but did not deploy abroad. Photographs of them parading through Perth in 1943 show them in shorts, including the band, and the standard digger hat.


The 'Home Service' restriction did not keep Militia units out of WWII as Papua New Guinea and Bougainville were then Australian Trust Territories and the first Australians to meet the Japanese on the Kokoda Track were two Militia battalions that had been performing garrison duties in Port Moresby.

[Tarheel]

I expect the apron is just a bit lighter weight than my old US Army duffle bag and closer to the professional painter's drop clothes I have. I used "Scotch-Gard" brand sealer on the stitching of my duffle years ago and found I slowed deterioration of the fabric and thread. I wonder if the apron would benefit from the same spray?

[tundramanq]

I expect the apron is just a bit lighter weight than my old US Army duffle bag and closer to the professional painter's drop clothes I have. I used "Scotch-Gard" brand sealer on the stitching of my duffle years ago and found I slowed deterioration of the fabric and thread. I wonder if the apron would benefit from the same spray?

Great idea Tarheel. I have some KIWI Camp Dry HD water repellent (13% silicone). I know it works for water but the can says nothing about stains and grease. Tempted to try it as I used it on a leaky jacket and it has survived the washing machine several times.

UPDATE: Pressed and treated. Now keeping it out of the house until the kerosene smell abates and it is fully dry. Forgot about this part. Hung the jacket in the shed for 3 days when I did it.

[tundramanq]

Added this to first post incase someone is thinking of buying:

SIZE NOTES: The drop is 26 inches, it is 19.5 inches across the top and 23 inches across the bottom. I think that M TX refers to size because if you are much bigger than 34 around you will find the straps a bit short to tie. The bottom is un hemmed fabric selvage - seems proper for kilts.

May be worth asking him if he has different sizes if needed.