WW2 British Merchant Navy Sub-Lieutenant Officer’s Battledress 42 Chest

The WW2 British Merchant Navy Sub-Lieutenant Officer’s Battledress offered here is an original uniform jacket designed for service during the Second World War. Sized for a 42-inch chest, this battledress was specifically tailored for merchant navy sub-lieutenants, reflecting the unique insignia and details appropriate to this rank. The jacket is constructed from standard wartime khaki wool, with features typical of British battledress issued from the early 1940s, including a button front, pleated chest pockets, and adjustable waistband tabs. Distinctive insignia and rank markings, such as merchant navy shoulder flashes and officer’s rank stripes, are present in accordance with regulation patterns of the period. This type of battledress was worn both ashore and at sea, providing both practical utility and a recognizable symbol of rank within the merchant service. It represents the essential role and uniform standards of British merchant officers during World War Two.