What is the 'back story' of the olive drab uniforms? I have never seen any reference to them?
Were they some kind of special replacement because they didn't bring anything with them?

Was wondering the same thing actually. Also, what was the purpose of the 2 black circles on the guys that went in "time out" for a bit?

I assume you mean the dungarees worn by the Marines?

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_c ... mc_hbt.php


Black circles were to help guards aim better at escaping prisoners, plus it would be harder to blend in with black marks on your clothing if you did manage to escape...

Although, wait a bit, there'll be a couple guys along who'll explain the uniforms way better than my meagre link and limited knowledge...


Chin? Westy? MMM?

I think Joe Dooley means the Theatre made jackets, later referred to as Vandergrift jackets.





Sourced locally in Melbourne, they're British 1940 Pattern Battledress (BD) jackets. See also

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=905

Not identical to Brit BD Blouse but very clearly a close copy(much better quality material for one thing-lol), I belive as the war progressed they we're made in several locations in OZ the ones we had (specially made in OZ I think) had inside rather nice repo labels that did indicate Victoria - V then 3 digits if I remember, it was a while ago.
For me they're a little 'baggy' I imagine the 1st thing a stylish Marine would do is visit a local tailor for some alterations.
As to the patches looking at the continuity pix I have left all the extras seem to have them on the right sleeve (their right that is) though there is one who appears to have none, so maybe that's on the left, sometimes for whatever reason an image can be reversed for composition but if there are both looks in 1 image that can't be the explaination. If it's as suggested yup gotta put my hands up-a boo boo.

This is the standard WW2 2nd AIF four pocket tunic. Its design was slightly changed from what the 1st AIF wore in WW1. Heavy wool, itchy and baggy.



As Australia was part of the Empire at that time BD was issued as working dress (examples appear as Denims, Khaki drill and HBT etc ). This is one example I have made in US HBT cloth



The immediate early Theatre Made jackets are 1940 BD, I can't see how they can be anything other than a standard military issue tunic available at the time. The 1st Marine Div is hardly going to say to the AIF upon arrival in Melbourne " Provide us a design for a new service tunic for the Division ASAP". They'd use the first thing to come to hand that was "different" to the AIF tunic.

Postwar the AMF (Formerly the AIF) went to the tailored BD




Standard Military serial number prefix for Victoria, should appear as VX, Queensland was QX etc.


Ample photos on the State Library of Victoria to reference