Canadian Battle-Dress Jacket & Trousers as intended for a Canadian soldier within 'Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry', part of the1st Canadian Infantry Division, which took part in the liberation of Italy and Western Europe. On 10 July 1943, 1st Canadian Infantry Division landed in Sicily as part of the British 8th Army. During December 1943, the Patricia’s were heavily involved in the operations of Villa Rogatti and the Gully, winning many individual and unit honours in the process, and spent Christmas in the Ortona area. The next major offensive came at west of Monte Cassino, in late May 1944 during the Allied advance to Rome. Travelling on a scenic, non-battle scarred route through southern and central France, the Regiment made its way to Boisschot, Belgium. Following eleven days of light activity, the Regiment was again on the move with 1st Canadian Division to liberate Holland, and on April 11th, co-leading, the division crossed the IJssel River, and then played an important part in the capture of Apeldoorn. The Patricia’s, having stood fast in Barneveld, were on hand as security and logistical organizers for the historic Achterveld Conference between the Allies and the Germans on 30 April 1945. Victory in Europe (VE) Day was 8 May 1945, and on that same day LCol Clark and his Patricia’s were the first Allies into Amsterdam.

The Canadian-made Battledress was made according to the British 1937 Pattern. The Battledress was the standard uniform for all Army Personnel, officers and other ranks in the theatres of operations. This Battledress is is nicely maker marked by the company 'Tip Top Tailors Ltd' and dated November 1944, the jacket is also marked with a Canadian 'broad-arrow' marking. The battledress is size 3 marked. Hand-sewn to each upper sleeve of the tunic is a British made machine-embroiderd  'P.P.C.L.I.' title, above a machine-sewn 1st Canadian Infantry Division patch. To the wearer's lower right sleeve a 5 year's service badge has been nicely hand-sewn in place. A wound-stripe is sewn to the wearer's lower left sleeve. All insignia are original period applied. The tunic is named, the name however is hard to read but could probably be "Harris". The tunic comes together with a pair of Canadian Battledress Trousers as found together. The battle dress trousers are nicely maker marked by the company 'Craftsman Uniform Ltd' from Montreal and dated 1944. Both the jacket and trousers are showing some (moth)damages, see photos. Hard to find original tunic in good used condition!