Officer's Greatcoats
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Age: 84
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Ahhhh...sweet nostalgia...the ORs Greatcoat. I wore mine once, as far as I can recall, and it was for a military funeral for a poor chap killed in a Vampire in Wales, and we, that is my flight from Wilmslow, provide the guard of honour,which was cocked-up by a Pilot Officer none of us had ever seen before when, lined up facing each other at the cemetery gate, he gave an ambiguous order which resulted in most of us turning one way or another when one way only was what was required. Subsequent instructions were issued by out beloved Sgt DI from Wilmslow. It was, a very cold day in Wolverhampton, and the greatcoats proved their worth. No belts by the way, though they might have had a semblance of a loop on the back, the purpose of which escaped me. I was once told off by a Redcap on Grantham station for having the collar up, which was what I thought the collar and associated buttons were for, but apparently not. That Redcap subsequently reported this horrendous breech of military discipline to Cottemore, but my ex-GD[P], Flt Cmdr rolled his eyes and binned it.
The only other times I can recall wearing it was when hitching up the A1 from the Ram Jam Inn [near Cottesmore], having avoided any scrutiny at the gate by taking the style near the Officers Mess and through the village churchyard out to the A1.
My RNZAF Officers greatcoat [identical to that of the RAF except for the buttons]was never worn, and I can't for the life of me recall what I did with it! I've just checked and it's not in that trunk in the garage! It would have shrunk by now I imagine!
I was amused to learn that the RNZAF contingent at the dediction of the NZ Memorial at Hyde Park on November the 11th, were issued with thermal underwear before they left NZ; no greatcoats these days.
The only other times I can recall wearing it was when hitching up the A1 from the Ram Jam Inn [near Cottesmore], having avoided any scrutiny at the gate by taking the style near the Officers Mess and through the village churchyard out to the A1.
My RNZAF Officers greatcoat [identical to that of the RAF except for the buttons]was never worn, and I can't for the life of me recall what I did with it! I've just checked and it's not in that trunk in the garage! It would have shrunk by now I imagine!
I was amused to learn that the RNZAF contingent at the dediction of the NZ Memorial at Hyde Park on November the 11th, were issued with thermal underwear before they left NZ; no greatcoats these days.
Can't recall her name Hobie but Im sure it wasnt joan. Then again she could have been born in 1833!! If it is mine then it will still have my name on the inside pocket!!
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: LGW
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Luckily mine did not have my name in or I may not be here to tell this tale.
Speedpig
Could that have been Randy Mandy? Your right, having your name in your coat could rather give the game away!! Not sure about Bob Dylan. Would have to look in my record collection.
The girl I remember married a Gp Capt engineer so maybe he is wandering around in it now!!
Could that have been Randy Mandy? Your right, having your name in your coat could rather give the game away!! Not sure about Bob Dylan. Would have to look in my record collection.
The girl I remember married a Gp Capt engineer so maybe he is wandering around in it now!!
What a shame!! I would have liked it back. Just to hang in the wardrobe like it did for all those years!
Mind you, it would get a bit soggy up here in Scotland! Never was much good in the rain!
Mind you, it would get a bit soggy up here in Scotland! Never was much good in the rain!
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Whilst a poor freezing student I aquired a Dutch Air Force greatcoat, very similer in pattern to the RAF one, although the buttons were different (plain). It was about 84 sizes too big but was very cheap, comfortable and warm, although given to smelling like a rancid donkey when it got wet. I swear the thing was bullet proof. It certainly repulsed many a Yorkshire winter. Flogged it to a mate for beer and first go at his girlfriends sister
Wish I'd kept it. And the coat.
Wish I'd kept it. And the coat.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: On Dry Land Now
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You can get them now WWW.rac.uniforms.co.uk
I still wear my father's Officers greatcoat which he bought in 1942 from Davis Bros in Cardiff. He had it two weeks before he was posted to Burma to fly Daks at Meikteila and Imphal, where it was too warm for such a coat; it spent the next 50 years in a wardrobe and is subsequently in perfect nick. It has a belt, with buckle, which tucks in through slots in the back leaving the impression of the small belt at the back. No turn ups at the cuff, just four small buttons; I had to change the rank boards to eppauletts. Changed the buttons from brass old crowns to anodised new crowns as I am too lazy to regularly polish them! The coat looks just like the ones in post No 28, Lovely and warm and very smart - and his memory lives on each time I put it on - and with pride!! It's probably the oldest greatcoat in service - unless anyone knows different!
RN Officer's Greatcoat
Sorry to be a black cat but...
My Grandfathers coat was made in 1937 (in Gib) by Gieves and Hawkes and I wore it last week in Pompey dockyard....
My Grandfathers coat was made in 1937 (in Gib) by Gieves and Hawkes and I wore it last week in Pompey dockyard....
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: western europe
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[quote=hobie;3046151]here's a couple posted on ebay .....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Raf-Officer-Gr...em220067118567
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAF-Officers-C...em120069849917
The second Coat finished at 67.00 pounds ......
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Raf-Officer-Gr...em220067118567
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAF-Officers-C...em120069849917
The second Coat finished at 67.00 pounds ......
