Shorts, 'Bombay bloomers', all ranks, 1941

Khaki cotton drill, made by Wearwell Overall Company Limited, 1941.

British and Commonwealth soldiers stationed in India and the Far East had been wearing sand coloured cotton Khaki Drill (KD) uniform since the end of the 19th century. However, during the 1930's this had been replaced by a matching tropical shirt of softer, better ventilated Aertex fabric, worn with KD shorts, or with "Bombay bloomers". These were trousers which could be worn either full length and confined by puttees, or buttoned up to form rather baggy shorts.

This clothing proved inadequate as jungle uniform in the jungles of Malaya and Burma. The shorts and Bombay bloomers left the lower legs exposed to thorns and insects, with a consequent risk of infection; and the light colour, was also highly visible. They were replaced from 1942 with a jungle green uniform.