Item SH 911407 Uniform - British Indian Army, 1890s or later

Summary

British Indian Army dress or mess uniform comprising waistcoat, jodphurs, shirt, cap and two belts. The original uniform would have included a jacket.

Information gathered at the time of donation indicates that the uniform was owned and worn by Barrington Dixon, an Australian, during his military service in India with an English regiment in the late 1800s-1900s. It was family tradition that the sons undertook army service, so he travelled to England and joined, to be sent to India. Barrington Dixon was subsequently killed while serving in India. His brother James joined after his death, and served until his discharge after the World War I. He met his future wife Prudence (stage name: Prudence Van Brugh) during her Australian tour. They were married in London and returned to Australia in 1930 to live, and brought the uniform with them.

The cap (or khulla) that accompanies the uniform (around which a turban's pagri (cloth) was wound) may date to the 20th century, and is unlikely to have been worn by a British soldier.

Physical Description

British Indian Army dress or mess uniform comprising waistcoat, jodphurs, shirt, cap and two belts.