Hi forum I'm new here and this looks like a great forum. I have recently watched the film Dunkirk and if anyone hasn't seen it yet I would recommend to go and see it in an IMAX you actually feel like you are experiencing it. During the film I really started to like the idea of the Greatcoats that the British Military used to wear - as part of my winter clothing this year. On most of the military surplus website's I have gone on, I can only find officer Greatcoats which are obviously more tailored. Perhaps you could give me some more information on what type of the material was used for British Greatcoats during ww2 or info on where I could find someone that could make me one. I have attached a picture of the kind of style I'm interested in Hope to hear reply soon, All the best Mike
They were made of a heavy woollen cloth and the greatest problem is moth damage. If you find a good one, it will last you for ever. They would be quite an expensive coat to have made now. Officer's coats are more common as they had to purchase their own which of course meant that they retained them when demobbed. 'Other Ranks' had to hand theirs in. Although there were a number of single-breasted pre-war coats still in use in 1940 there were two current types in use for mounted and dismounted troops. That for mounted troops, used by tank crews and some Corps was shorter. The longer coat that you are looking for is the 'Dismounted' pattern. If you want Dunkirk period 1940 accuracy then you actually need the 1939 pattern. These have a plain back and are quite scarce now, especially in taller sizes. They were designed to be worn with webbing over them. The coats in the film are actually inaccurate and look to be the 1940 Pattern which had not yet been introduced. These are a little shorter for a given size and have an expanding pleat in the back to allow them to be worn over equipment. They are a little more comfortable to wear. The numbered sizing system is a little complicated and relates to a combination of height and chest size in inches (over battledress). If you're not too fussed about shade and pocket details, greatcoats from the 1950s are quite common. They often have the horrible 'Staybrite' buttons though. If you search eBay for '1940 pattern or '1951 pattern' greatcoat, I'm sure that one will turn up.
Many thanks for your reply, that is great detail I didn't know it would be that hard to find one tbh Do you know the special name of someone who would make a coat or perhaps could you point me in the right direction?
I still have my father's great coat. I am not sure of the year but he joined the army, or should I say the Artillery in 1947 and left in 1973 so it could be any were between those dates. I will have a look at the labels to see if there are any clues as to its age. Cheers Kevin
