Casgliadau Arlein

Coat issued to Robert Percival Chappell of Cardiff on his dembobilisation from the Army at the end of the Second World War.

At the end of the Second World War, men leaving the armed forces were issued with new clothes to ease their progression back into civilian life. Demob suits came in a veriety of different colours and sizes. If the full suit, including waistcoat and other items, such as shoes and hat, were purchased, the customer had bought the Full Monty (a term derived from Montague Burton, the main stockist for demob suits).

Navy blue, with faint white and red check wool coat. The coat is single breasted, two large buttons secure the front shut. It has pointed lapels and there is a button hole detail on each lapel. There is a breast pocket on the proper left side of the coat and two waist pockets with flaps, one on each side. At the back of the coat there is a hemmed split (for movement of the wearer) 41cm up from the bottom edge. The lining appears to be a synthetic material, although it only runs to the waist. There are two inner breast pockets, one on each side. The interlining material to provide stiffness is a hessian plain weave and there are cotton support strips running between the lining and the wool. At chest level in the lining, there is a pocket on each side. There is a button for securing the front of the coat shut just above the pocket in the lining on the proper left side. CC41 label sewn inside.