The primary winter service dress uniform of the postwar Canadian Army
was essentially the same as the wartime army, ie: battledress. Second World War vintage battledress was worn until about 1947, when a new pattern battledress was adopted. It was similar in style to the earlier pattern, but the blouse had lapels and was intended to be worn with the collar open. It also lacked the seam down the center of the back. The new pattern trousers were similar to the Second World War issue, but were made without the field dressing pocket on the right thigh. Second World War vintage and the new battledresses were worn concurrently until the early 1950's, when existing stocks of wartime battledress were exhausted. Battledress was in wear by the Regular army until at least 1970 and was worn by some Reserve units as late as 1974.
The first of the new patterns of battledress blouse was introduced in 1947 and is sometimes known as "1947 Pattern", although the official designation was simply Battledress Blouse, Serge. A "1949 Pattern" was adopted 2 years later, and in 1954 the designation Jacket, Man's, Battledress 1954 was adopted as a sealed pattern.
The two images shown here are reprinted from CAMT 10 - 1, Provost Duties, 1957. They show the positions taken by Provost when interviewing and searching a suspect. The Provost are wearing the new pattern battledress, with the 1937 Pattern white webbing. The center of the rank chevrons and trades badge worn on the lower right arm have been whitened. They are not carrying firearms, as was the official policy at the time.
Note that they are wearing the brassard on the right arm, in fact, regulations stated that it was to be worn on the left arm. The "Cap, Peaked, Winter" is worn, this was very popular with Provost. The cap badge is worn on a red felt or melton wool backing.The top of the cap was usually stiffened with cardboard to present a better appearance. The brown leather chin strap, (never used as such) was highly polished.
A red Provost pattern whistle lanyard is worn on the right shoulder, the whistle being carried in the right breast pocket. Khaki puttees are worn instead of the white anklets. It was common in some Provost units to wear a strip of white mine tape over the khaki tape on the puttees. Black or brown gloves completed the ensemble.
In 1954 a new designation for battledress was adopted. This did not appear to involve any major design changes, but was simply a nomenclature change.
Officer's battledress was identical to that worn by the Other Ranks, although officers could have uniforms privately made. This captain's jacket, circa 1969, has the normal rank and Provost shouldertitles, and also has a blue and gold "SERVICE BATALLION" title above the Force Mobile Command patch. This officer was likely the commander of a Service Batallion Provost Platoon. The jacket is worn with a khaki shirt and fawn lampwick necktie.
