Staff Sergeant, New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, 1939.gif

The NGVR were formed to provide some form of defensive force to the mandated territory.

This senior NCO wears essentially an Australian Army uniform, though the shirt and trousers were made locally by Chinese tailors from Australian supplied material.

The felt hat has a seven fold puggaree. The rising sun badge, shown below, is worn above the V of the puggaree. The brim is always worn down.

The shirt and trousers are standard pattern. The unit title, in brass, is attached to the shoulder straps. On parade the sleeves were worn down, as shown in the photograph at the bottom of the page.

His rank badges, in white cloth, are attached to an armband of khaki cloth. A standard practice in the Army for KD clothing.

His equipment is the 1903 bandolier type, discarded by Australian infantry in 1908/09 when webbing was adopted. At the time it was likely that this was the only equipment available to be used as the webbing was required for the expanding Militia units in Australia.

In walking out dress, essentially the same without the equipment, the brown leather belt from the 1914 equipment was used.

He is armed with a SMLE rifle and bayonet.

Usually Officers wore the same uniform as the troops, with the SB belt instead of the bandolier equipment.