Canada, Commonwealth. An 8Th Field Regiment Rca Tunic & Great Coat, 1945

A khaki green wool tunic, unlined, with a notched collar, the centre right bears three green painted metal sew-through buttons, the centre left bears three covered corresponding stitched reinforced buttoning holes, the left and right panels bear a single pleated breast pocket (measuring 160 mm x 160 mm) with pointed flap with a green painted metal sew-through button and corresponding stitched reinforced buttoning hole, an 80 mm waistband is sewn into the bottom with two pleats on the left and right panels, the elongated left end is secured to the right side by a metal webbing buckle with a belt loop, the shoulders bear shoulder boards of the same khaki green wool with a machine embroidered red threaded “8RCA” title on a navy blue base, the upper sleeves bear a machine embroidered “CANADA” title and a maroon formation patch of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, the sleeves are pleated and cuffed with a green painted metal sew-through button and corresponding stitched reinforced buttoning hole, the back is pleated and bears a centred stitch where the garment was sewn together, under the armpits bear two stitched reinforced ventilation holes, the interior is partially lined with a lighter green cotton blend material, both the left and right panels bear breast pockets (measuring 145 mm x 303 mm), the right pocket is marked “B450 Battle Dress BLOUSES SERGE SIZE No 11 Height 5’9” to 5’10” BREAST 38” to 39” S&G Clothing Co. MAY 1945” in black ink, the waistband bears three stitched reinforced buttoning holes, measuring 475 mmm (across shoulders), 600 mm (shoulder to cuff) and 532 mm (total length), very fine. 

A green wool coat, lined, with a deep notched collar and double breasted front, the collar has a single metal hook and loop (for additional closure) and two stitched reinforced buttoning holes, the centre right bears three general service buttons, brass circular shank buttons consisting of a central maple leaf encompassed by a border inscribed with “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE” (MAY HE BE SHAMED WHO THINKS BADLY OF IT), topped with “CANADA”, the centre left bears three corresponding stitched reinforced button holes and three more general service buttons, most of the buttons are unmarked but one is marked on the reverse with “UNITED - CARR CANADA” and “W. SCULLY CANADA” on the reverse of another, the left and right panels bear a single waist pocket with a flap (measuring 245 mm x 305 mm), the shoulders bear shoulder boards of the same green wool, with stitched reinforced buttoning holes and general service buttons (left shoulder missing button), the upper sleeves bear  a machine embroidered “CANADA” title and a maroon formation patch of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, the back bears a waist half belt with three general service buttons and three sorresponding reinforced stitched buttonholes, the bottom bears a long centred single vent with two stitched reinforced buttoning holes on the centre left, the interior is lined with a tan/brown wool liner, the left breast side bears an additional pice of green wool fabric with two buttoning holes at the 12 and 6 o’clcok positions attached to the garment by two flat four-holed buttons, measuring 470 mm (across shoulders), 640 mm (shoulder to cuff) and 1235 mm (total length), apparent mothing throughout garment due to wear and age, otherwise fine.

Footnote: In 1941, after its redesignation from the 1st Canadian Armoured Division, the 5th Armoured Division proceeded overseas to the United Kingdom. After two years in the European theatre of operations, the 5th Armoured Division transferred to the Mediterranean theatre in November 1943. The 5th Armoured Division also took part in the Italian Campaign until the end of 1944.