11th January 2021

WW2 Uniform Production

Examiner ‘Women’s Supplement’ (Launceston), 20th March 1940 page 3.

The article went on to describe how the factory was making 150 khaki drill service jackets per day per bench, with “a few more minutes for button hole making and button attachment by machine in another section of the factory”. The machines were all British made.The factory was expanding as fast as it could procure more equipment. At the time of the article 450 women were employed, but this was increasing.

The women also performed hand stitching of textiles used in making munitions, and in the making of service caps for Army, Navy and Air Force. They also made flags and pennants. Before the war the Commonwealth Clothing Factory had contracts for making uniforms for the Post Office, Police, railways and tramways as well as other civilians such as lift operators! This work was quickly finished or handed over to private firms to allow for the sudden demands of war.

See  http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/branded-buttons/branded-buttons-manufacturers/#Commonwealth_Clothing_Factory_Miles_Street_Southbank_Melbourne

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