Australian Dress Register

George was born on the 12th March 1846 in Maitland. He began work as a civil engineer in the NSW Government Architect's Office. As a young man , in 1860, he joined the Balmain Volunteer Rifle Company . He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Second Regiment, New South Wales Volunteer Infantry on 17th May 1871 and Lieutenant on the 17th August 1876. He retired January, 1894 and was made Honorary Major, receiving the Volunteer Officer's Decoration.

On 5th January 1881 he married Laura Emma Elizabeth Jaques at St Mary's Church in Balmain, Sydney. Laura Emma Elizabeth was the daughter of Theodore James Jaques (1823-1893) (register-general and solicitor) and his wife Mary Ann Jaques of Balmain. George and Laura had two children, Edith Jaques Stack (known as Dita) born 1882 and Walter Jaques Stack born 1884. Walter received a medical degree from the University of Sydney in 1914 and joined the Australian Medical Army Corp. As a result of his First World War Service he was recommended on the 8th March 1918 for a Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O). Edith married Arthur Edmund Colvin (1884-1966) surgeon and physician and also a Member of the N.S.W Legislative Council 1932-34 and 1934-1955.

Walter Jaques Stack married Elinor Holmes (daughter of Marjorie and Norman Holmes) 18th February 1930.

George died 7th October 1930 at his home in Orange NSW and was buried in the Church of England cemetery Orange.

Laura Stack survived her husband by approximately three years.

To encourage enlistment in the Volunteer movement the Volunteer Land Act was passed in 1867, providing each volunteer who had completed five years of continual and efficient service up to 50 acres.

In 1878 partial payment for services was introduced and the regiment was reorganised to become the First Regiment NSW Infantry, with four companies.

In 1885, the colonists urged the Government of NSW to send a contingent to the Soudan to serve Queen and Empire. 734 men were dispatched, 74 of whom came from the First Regiment. This was named the New South Wales Soudan Contingent and was Australia's first fighting force to serve in an overseas campaign.

With the outbreak of the Boer War in 1898 patriotism again ran high and the Regiment sent 103 of its rank and file to assist "Queen and Empire".

With Federation in 1901 the Regiment became part of the Commonwealth Military Forces redesignated the First Australian Infantry Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment City of Sydney's own.

This uniform was manufactured by David Jones the oldest department store in the world which has traded under the same name since commencement of business.

The garment is sewn completely by hand.

The Regimental uniform was at first rifle green with black stripes along the outer seams one and a half inches in width. White trousers were worn in summer.

The old Regiment disbanded in 1860 and a much larger regiment of 2,000 rifles was raised in its place. The unit was re-titled the First Regiment NSW Rifle Volunteers, known as the Sydney Battalion. The uniform adopted was Melton Grey with black facings.

The withdrawal of the British Garrison in 1870 led to a rapid increase in the size of the regiment, to 2,382. Red tunics were adopted in the Sydney Battalion to replace the grey, making the regiment smarter and more soldier-like in appearance.

Some information was received from Mrs W.J.Stack. Much research has taken place to find the details given here.

Research of the State Library of NSW.

Victoria Barracks NSW.

George Bagot Stack's granddaughter supplied further details.

M. Webb, 'Australian Military Uniforms 1800-1982', Kenthurst Kangaroo Press, 1982.

During the time that Cavalcade of History and Fashion have had the garment it has been displayed and exhibited.

Cavalcade has been caretaker of the garment for approximately 32 years.

Mess jacket of red wool velour, trimmed at the sleeve and collar with green wool fabric with a short pile weave. Epaulettes and crown show the rank of a Captain.

Buttons contain these words around the circumference: Military Forces N.S.W. and the same crown which appears on the epaulettes.

Silver rat tail braid appears around the pointed sleeve cuff and at the centre front opening, continuing all around the whole garment edge including all edges of the stand collar.

Waistcoat decorated with frogging around waist pockets.

Silver braid,various types, adorn mess jacket and waistcoat. Epaulettes and crown shows the patterning denoting the rank of Captain.

Waistcoat constructed with two fabrics: green velour (short pile) on the front and green satin on the back (satin weave).

Waistcoat lining in a coarse twill weave possibly of rayon fibre.

Trousers and mess jacket and tunic - wool pile weave velour fabric.

Trouser waistline and fly front button opening both lined with linen fabric.

Trouser pockets constructed with a heavy twill weave possibly rayon fabric.

Trouser waist area bound with bias bind (black). A multicoloured silky ticking fabric has also been used around the waist area. All applied by hand stitching.

Fork of trousers has been lined in a silky ticking fabric.

Fabrics are possibly dyed with natural dye stuff but it is not certain.

Silver rat tail braid applied to the mess jacket appears to be applied with a back stitch by hand.

Mess jacket has tailored two-piece sleeves.

Tunic - CF neck is protected by a tongue of fabric covered in black silk satin fabric. This fabric is thought to be applied to protect the wearer as the bulk of the fastening could cause discomfort.

Trousers sewn by hand with back stitch.

All four pieces sewn completely by hand.

DAVID JONES & Co

TAILORS AND HABIT MAKERS

SYDNEY

Waistcoat has been altered at some point, evidence of seams being let out on the sideseams.

Large brass hook and eyes perform the function of closing the C. Front of mess jacket while continual heavy metal studs (51) are purely decorative.

Four buttons and button holes fasten the trousers fly front.

Large buttons are reinforced with disc of fabric sewn with thick linen thread cream colour

Optima used to interface the bodice areas of each the waistcoat, mess jacket and tunic.

Wadding is present as an interlining on the mess jacket and tunic. This wadding provided the padding for the quilted lining of the bodice section/s.

Quilting has been used on each the tunic and mess jacket. This quilting finishes at the waist level on the tunic. The tunic is not lined in the section below the waist.

Optima used to reinforce lining pocket opening on the mess jackets lining.

Military uniform

Balmain Volunteer Rifle Company

The Second Regiment, NSW Volunteer Infantry.

Honorary Major decorations, awarded on retirement.

(VD) Volunteer Officers Decorations.

Maitland, Major General Gordon: "Battle History of the Royal New South Wales Regiment Vol. 1 1885 - 1918", Sydney Simon & Schuster 2001.

Outlines the history of Australia's military from First Fleet to the Boer War.

Webb, M: "Australian Military Uniforms 1800-1982", Kenthurst Kangaroo Press, 1982.

Refers to the military history also but describes the changes in uniform up to and including the Boer War.

Marnie, Flapper Dress worn by Marjorie Florence Smith.

Marnie's Daughter Elinor married George Bagot Stacks son Walter.

Waistcoat - stains appear under the arms on the lining.

- Satin fabric on the back shows signs of wear.

- Silver braid is lifting around the neck edge near shoulder & back neck area.

Red Tunic - Main fabric is stained.

- Lining is damaged due to the rubbing of the large buttons where they are sewn.

- The large buttons have rubbed the lining causing some damage.

Trousers - patched on the inside leg area.

- insect damage to the hem area also

- of the four pieces the trousers seem to have be used more frequently and although in reasonable condition show more wear than any other piece.

To red tunic main fabric.

Trouser hems show evidence of insect damage.