BACKGROUND: In the early summer of 1939 the Canadian army was still outfitted with the British influenced, WWI-era, M1902 style, khaki serge service uniforms. In the mid-summer of 1939 the British Army’s War Office sent samples of their new M1937 pattern battledress uniform, consisting of a tunic and pants, to Canada for evaluation. During July and August of that year the Canadian army tested these uniforms, found them acceptable, and officially adopted them on August 24th, 1939, with Canadian production beginning in early September. The Canadian battledress was virtually identical to its British counterpart, but was manufactured in a slightly higher quality wool, and was a subtly darker, greenish-brown shade. It would be the standard issue Canadian uniform utilized by all ranks for the duration of the war. Of Note: Although the British battledress uniforms underwent numerous minor changes, the Canadian version remained quite consistent, with its only modification, in 1943, being to the neck closure.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Standard issue, olive drab wool battle dress trousers with a five button front fly closure, vertical slash side seam pockets, a large patch pocket to the left forward thigh with a scalloped flap and hidden button closure, a smaller patch pocket to the right forward thigh with an open top and a button closure partially obscured by its single pleat, and a horizontal slash pocket with a scalloped flap and hidden button closure to the rear right. Three vertical straps are sewn along the waistband, each terminating in button closures to their tops. Similar buttons are between each of these straps, as well as having five metal dish buttons to the interior of the waistband. The interior waistband and pocket bags are in off white cotton. Pants are "C" broad arrow marked along with " Size 6" "5ft 5" to 6", Waist 33 to 34, Breech 39 to 40" and "Tip Top Tailor Ltd. May 1944."