Dealer Information Dealer: Blighty Militaria Location: London, United Kingdom Tel: 07729 917 773 Email: blightymilitaria@gmail.com

Original 1945 Dated FANY Officers Battledress Blouse - Attributed

Code: 53281

Website: https://www.militariazone.com/ww2-jackets-coats/original-1945-dated-fany-officers-battledress-blouse---attributed/itm36185

An original British Army 1940 Pattern (Austerity) Battledress Blouse which was worn by Lieutenant Patricia Thelma Vine who served in the Women's Transport Service First Aid Nursing Yeomanry during the Second World War.

Surviving ATS documents show that Patricia was serving with the F.A.N.Y as early as 1942 and stayed in service briefly after the war finished. She married Flight Lieutenant James Ronald Bartholomew in 1948. Other details are not clear but the F.A.N.Y were an independent part of the ATS involved in transport and vehicles which ties in with the picture of Patricia in a group in front of Bedford QL lorries. 

The jacket is a standard issue British Army 1940 Pattern (Austerity) battledress blouse. These were often issued to women in place of ATS pattern examples, particularly in the latter part of the Second World War. The jacket is a small size and has been tailored with shoulder pads being added - a typical period addition. The jacket would have been Patricia's working jacket and is fitted with Women's Transport Service FANY shoulder titles and two khaki coloured rank stars to each epaulette. 

Inside the jacket the original label is still present and is bright and legible. It states the size as No. 3 and the manufacturer's name as 'Mourne Clothing Co Ltd'. The 1945 date is also present as is the War Department broad arrow. As well as this the original War Department acceptance stamp is also still present and is surmounted by the letter 'Z' which denotes 1945 as the year of issue. 

The jacket is in good condition and displays well. Overall it has a very clean and fresh look to it with no serious signs of wear or age. There are some moth grazes however which are detailed in the pictures. Please study the pictures before purchasing and bear in mind that this is a vintage, pre-worn item with small issues commensurate with this. 

The jacket comes with a photocopy photograph of Patricia in a group. I have also added a studio portrait to this listing.

A very nice original jacket with history and original badges. This is a must have for the serious British women's uniform collector!