Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Regimental and Corp Stable Belts

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Overview

The stable belt is a woven striped coloured belt worn at times by the armed forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries including Australia and a few other countries such as Denmark, Brazil and Lebanon. The stripes identify and vary by regiment and corps.

Historical information

The term "stable belt" originates from the practice of UK cavalrymen placing the surcingle around the waist when cleaning the stables and tending to their horses. In the 1950s, stable belts spread to all branches of the armed forces, adding a splash of colour and individuality to the drab khaki working uniforms. Initially they were resisted by many senior officers, who saw them as too individualistic, but they soon became accepted throughout the UK forces. A number of Commonwealth countries, including Australia followed suit. General use in the Australian Army was discontinued in 1995 (although one suspects pockets of recidivist wearers can still be found).

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99.112

Contextual Information

In spite of their relatively recent use and demise, the wearing of woven belts similar in pattern to the post-1950s belts, appears to be a much longer tradition. The Army Museum collection has both in artefacts and photographs, examples of stable belts being worn by local units at the time of Federation. This evidence provides an historical context for the collection of stable belts currently on display in the Traditions Gallery. This display sits within an array of lanyards, shoulder flashes, cummerbunds, ties, coloured head gear and plaques, emblematic of our strongly held regimental and corps traditions and distinctions.

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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