Uniform hung up for the last time

By Andrew Stackpool and LAC Bruce Brown

SGT Geoffrey Hurling, LAC Tamara Young and SQNLDR Jenny Robertson wear the blue grey uniform for the last time.

Photo by LAC Bruce Brown

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THE UNIFORM PRAYER

God of all uniforms – white, khaki, navy blue and blue/grey – thank you for what this all-seasons uniform came to symbolise – a new Air Force with its values and culture. Thank you that over the years, serving members have worn it with pride; served in it throughout the world and in it, safeguarded our nation, our people and our freedom. Thank you, our God that there is a time for everything under the sun – a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to cast off the old and put on the new. Help us to serve God, Queen and Country to the best of our abilities and intellect regardless of the colour of the day. Amen.

– CHAP (GPCAPT) Noel Williams

THE Air Force’s venerable blue/ grey all-seasons uniform officially passed out of service on June 30. The uniform, replaced by the Air Force blue uniform, was introduced in 1972 as the replacement for the old blue World War II RAF-style uniforms introduced in 1921.

Since then Air Force personnel around the world have worn it with pride. The uniform was introduced as smart, practical, stylish and easily identifiable apparel.

While it achieved these aims, like some uniforms worn by Air Force’s sister services, its branding of the wearer as Air Force at times fell short.

All personnel no doubt could relate the stories of mistaken identity as court sheriff, bus driver, airline attendant and railway employee, to name a few. RAAF Base Glenbrook farewelled the old uniform at a short ceremony in the Officers’ Mess gardens. Members from Headquarters Air Command, CSIG and RAAF Base Glenbrook attended the ceremony.

Chaplain (Group Captain) Noel Williams, Director of Air Command Chaplaincy Services, even said a prayer for the old uniform. No. 28 (City of Canberra) Squadron personnel marked the demise of the blue/grey uniforms by wearing it for one last time.

CO Squadron Leader Jenny Robertson and personnel wore whatever they had available. To add to the occasion they brought in old photographs that showed themselves in the uniform. SQNLDR Robertson wore a pair of Air Force court shoes that had been issued when she was at Officer Training School.

The shoes had to be fitted by the Salvation Army in Melbourne, as the Air Force didn’t have a size for her small feet. They still fit and have never been resoled. One unusual piece of kit was a coat with eagles on the lapels, worn by Sergeant Jeff Gadd. While the old uniform is now gone the values for which it stood remain and are enhanced in the new blue uniform.

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