TUNIC UNDERSHIRT
c. 1900 - 1950'T' shaped, short-sleeved pull-on undershirt in the shape of a tunic, made from undyed woven wool fabric. It has a half, centre-front opening at the neck, secured down the front by three black buttons, possibly Bakelite, each 15mm diameter. The corresponding button holes are edged with machine stitched black cotton thread. The front of the garment is slightly shorter than the back, with short tails rounded at the corners. Small half-moon yoke at the back of the neck. It is machine-stitched in light brown cotton thread. A black arrow has been stencilled on the front.
Found under floorboards following the fire in 4 Division, resulting from the Prisoner riot, in 1988. A specific find location for this item in 4 Division was not recorded at the time of discovery.
Details
Details
Like convict clothing issued at Fremantle Prison during the convict era, this garment has the broad arrow mark stamped on it. For this reason and for a long time the tunic was believed to be of convict era but it’s make and style place it in the 20th century.
The broad arrow mark originated with Henry, Earl of Romney who was the Master General of Ordnance from 1693 to 1702. The broad arrow was used in his coat of arms and adopted as the symbol for ordinance in the British Army, and to signify any British Government property as a deterrent against theft.
