ARMY DRESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 9

ARMY DRESS

TRADITIONS UPSET IMPORTANT CHANGES BAN ON SWAGGER CANES New regulations governing military dress and affecting British forces throughout the Empire have been issued to New Zealand Army headquarters. Copies received show that there has been some attempt at simplification in several directions. They will apply for the duration of the war. No longer is a Sam Browne belt a compulsory article of an officer’s uniform. Cloth belts of a material to match the jacket may be worn as an alternative. The belt will be two inches in width with a plain brass buckle. Warrant officers (class 1) are not entitled to wear the belt. Arm Bands For Staff

Buttons in composition or brown leather may be worn by officers who are unable to ob/ain the regulation pattern articles. Rank badges may be in worsted . embroidery instead of metal. No longer will gorget patches distinguish all members of the staff, of whatever situation. Such insignia will not be worn by anyone below the rank of full colonel. Arm bands will be worn by the staff to denote their respective appointments. As in the Great War, full dress, undress or mess dress will not be worn on any occasion. The only uniform permitted is service or battle dress. Medal ribands will be worn on both service and battle dress; medals will not be worn. Restriction on Swords Newly-appointed officers, ■ except those of horsed units, will not provide themselves with swords. The definition of horsed unit is restricted to mounted troops. For example, certain officers in an infantry battalion are entitled to ride on horseback, although in the British Army cars are now usually substituted for horses on the march. Such officers would not be entitled to carry swords. But then the practice of officers waving on their troops with swords died in the Great War. There is a complete prohibition under the regulations on the carrying of canes by “other ranks.” This will affect members of the Special Force who sometimes carry canes when on leave. ‘No official explanation is given for. the reversal of what lias been a traditional privilege that was often regarded as important in contributing to soldierly smartness, but it . is assumed that the effect of carrying canes when attired in the looselyhanging battle dress is one of disharmony. Officers and men of the Special Force have not been issued so far with battle dress.