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In 1937, King George the 6th was to be coronated as the King of the British Empire. Contingents from around the Commonwealth were sent to partake in the event and to put their best foot forward.

Australia, for its part, sent 150 men plus officers as its contingent. This comprised of 100 soldiers, 25 sailors and 25 airmen, with priority given to veterans of the First World War. This tunic was worn by Hubert George Price who was selected to represent the 58th battalion. The uniform was custom made for each soldier, all of whom were required to reenlist as gunners in the Royal Australian Artillery since only permanent troops were to be sent abroad and the artillery was the only large-scale permanent force in Australia at the time. The custom uniform featured a emu plumed slouch hat to acknowledge the contribution of the Australian Light Horse in the First World War, often leading to the contingent being mistaken as Light Horse themselves.