Antique & Militaria

RARE**WW1 Canadian Expeditionary Forces (CEF) 1st Canadian Tank Battalion Other Ranks Khaki Battledress Tunic. U 507 - U 507

During World War I, Canada did not have an active, combat-deployed "1st Tank Regiment." Instead, the country authorized and raised the 1st Canadian Tank Battalion under the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in early 1918. The Canadian Tank Corps was officially authorized in January 1918. The 1st Canadian Tank Battalion recruited heavily from Canadian universities. Because tanks were highly complex pieces of machinery at the time, the military targeted students and recruits who had strong backgrounds in mechanics, engineering, or technical skills. The Battalion composed of 92 officers and 716 other ranks. This is a rare to find 1st Canadian Tank Battalion Other Ranks Khaki Battledress Tunic. The Tunic is single breasted with collar secured by hooks, pleated chest pockets and plain lower pockets all with flaps. The tunic has the correct belt hooks at the waist. It also has all of its original brass King’s crown Tank Battalion buttons,& the collar has one original brass King’s crown 1st Tank Battalion collar dog. One sleeve has the correct 2 cloth tape service chevron / stripes at the cuff indicating 4 yrs service and near to the shoulder its original Tank Battalion cloth formation patch. The epaulettes have brass ‘Canada’ (Canadian Army) shoulder titles and ribbon formation / unit identifiers. The inside of the tunic has no maker labels or dates. The Tunic is clean with just small areas of old, treated, stable mothing only visible on close inspection. It is approx UK size 34" Chest. The price for this rare WW1 tunic includes UK delivery. U 507 (NB A rare original WW1 Canadian 1st Tank Battalion Cap Badge found with this Tunic is available separately on this website stock number BA 908)

£1,750.00