In general, uniforms worn by the RCAF closely followed British RAF patterns. The standard working uniform for Service Police Airmen during the Second World War was blue RCAF Service Dress. Khaki Service Dress was worn during the summer months, and sometimes on training courses, but was not normally worn off station.
Made of heavyweight rough blue serge, this pattern of Blue Service Dress was adopted in the mid 1930s. The previous pattern of Service Dress jacket was similar in cut but had a closed collar. The new pattern jacket had an open collar with lapels and was worn with a "shirt, broadcloth, silver grey" and a black necktie. The jacket came with a brass buckled belt made of the same material as the jacket. Headdress was either the Service Dress wedge cap or winter cap. Matching trousers and black shoes or boots were worn.
Example of a typical stamped manufacturer and size label.
View of the inside of the jacket illustrating the field dressing pocket on the lower left.
This service dress jacket is worn with Pattern 1925 web equipment, illustrating the order of dress worn by airfield security guards or Service Police armed with rifles until mid to late 1942.
The Field Service Dress or "wedge cap" was in almost universal use during the summer months. It was produced in superfine quality for Officers and rough serge for Airmen. Officers and Warrant Officers Class 1 were authorised a peaked service dress cap. The sides of the Winter Service Dress cap could be folded down to protect the ears. Helmets were worn on guard duty, parades or patrol duty, depending on local dress instructions. The standard helmet was the Canadian manufactured Mk II with "RCAF SP" stenciled on the front.
