1944 British Army Tank Crew Oversuit

Object/Artifact

Royal Canadian Military Institute

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

2024.31.1

Description

1944 British Army tank crew oversuit made of a heavy cotton in a light tan khaki colour. Single breasted with a centre front placket (35 cm long)with four metal buttons painted brown (2 cm diameter). A pair of brass zippers enclose the front placket, running down the length of the body and each leg (135 cm long). The oversuit is missing its detachable hood. The short stand collar is adjustable with two buckles (2.5 cm wide x 5 cm long). The related straps (11 cm long) have two grommets (1 cm diameter). The shoulder strap badge denotes the rank of a Major in the Service Corp. The shoulder straps are strengthened.The knees, elbows, and seat are reenforced. A waist belt (106 cm long x 4 cm wide) with an adjustable metal buckle (5 cm wide x 4 cm long) closes the front. Two belt loops (8 cm long x 1.5 cm wide) are sewn into the side seam keep the waist belt in place. A brass zipper (21 cm long) closes a flap in the groin. The hem of the sleeves are adjustable with an outside metal button (2 cm diameter) flap. The inside of the sleeves have a drawstring (not adjustable) to tighten the closure. The hem of the leg holes are also adjustable with an outside metal button (2 cm diameter). There are twelve pockets total. One scalloped pocket is on each breast closed with a metal button (2 cm diameter). The left breast pocket has two sections of pen pockets on the outside of the pocket. One section has six pen pockets, two rows with three pockets in each row, and the other section has eight pockets with two rows of four pockets. The top row of pen pockets (13 cm long) is inclusive of the bottom row (6 cm long). The left hip has one pleated pocket. Two scalloped pockets are on each leg, one below and one above the knee closed with a metal button (2 cm diameter). On the back of the hips are two scalloped hidden pockets closed with a metal button (2 cm diameter). On the inside, is a breast pocket on either side with side access. The inner left hip has an additional patch pocket closed with a metal button painted brown (2 cm diameter). Lined with tan khaki Angola wool shirting. On the inside are cotton bracer straps (68 cm long x 4 cm wide each) stitched into the waistband on the back of the oversuit. They were meant to be looped over the shoulders of the wearer and secured into the two buckles (5 cm wide x 4 cm long) on the either side of front of the inner waistband.

Context

Sometimes known as the "tank suit" or "pixie suit." It was introduced for tank crews beginning in July 1943. Produced to be easily worn within the tight confines of the tank and to be warm, waterproof, and comfortable. Cut large to be worn over the Battledress uniform. The inside bracer straps added support to the garment when the pockets in the legs were full. Typical oversuits had thirteen pockets; this one only has twelve.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Debenhams

Date made

1944

"[illegible] W [upwards arrow] L 572"

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Body of the oversuit

Length

157.5 cm

Dimension Notes

Inseam: 76 cm Armpit to armpit circumference: 125 cm