United Kingdom. A Battledress to a Decorated Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Navy Commandos

A very well-preserved battledress assembly to a decorated Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Navy Commandos, constructed of olive-drab wool twill. It features a narrow turned-down collar reinforced along the reverse with machine-embroidered darts. The shoulders are flanked by olive-drab straps overlaid by a rank insignia constructed of dark navy blue wool with three bullion wire tresses culminating in a rosette, measuring 60 mm (w) x 150 mm (l), and fixed in position with bakelite buttons. Each shoulder also bears a Second World War-period title constructed of a dark blue wool baser and bearing an off-white stitched inscription of “ROYAL NAVY COMMANDO”, measuring 100 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). The right sleeve also features a Parachutist Badge, constructed of an olive-drab wool base with off-white and light blue machine-embroidered, measuring 75 mm (w) x 30 mm (h). The cuff of each sleeve closes with a single olive-drab bakelite button. Each breast has a single pleated pocket closing with an olive-drab bakelite button. Stitched onto the battledress just above the left pocket is a ribbon bar featuring four decorations, including a Distinguished Service Cross, a 1939-1945 Star, an Atlantic Star and a War Medal 1939-1945. It closes with five bakelite buttons and an integral belt emanating from the right side. The interior retains a fully-intact manufacturer’s label bearing a maker’s mark of “CLARENCE CLOTHING CO. LTD. BELFAST”, a date of “1955”, size dimensions corresponding to the wearer’s height and measurements (suited to a wearer between 5'7"-5'8", with a chest size of 35 inches-36 inches, and a waist size of 30 inches-31 inches), and an additional mark indicating that the garment is a 1947 pattern example. Demonstrating minor and sporadic soiling and material fatigue, this post-war assembled battledress to a decorated veteran of the Atlantic Campaign remains in a near extremely fine condition.