Field Marshal's battle dress blouse, Indian Army Staff, 1946 (c)

This wool serge battle dress was worn by Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander in Chief in India from June 1943 to August 1947. Auchinleck was appointed to the rank of field marshal in June 1946 and during this period helped prepare the future Indian and Pakistani armies prior to Partition, which was scheduled for August 1947.