RAN MESS DRESS

This Royal Australian navy mess dress uniform belonged to Commander Brian Wriggles. Wriggles joined the Navy in September 1948 at the age of 19 and was rated as a writer. He performed well at his duties and eventually became lead writer on the HMAS Sydney III during its first tour of duty in the Korean War. Following the Korean War, Wriggles applied for and was successful at becoming an officer in 1953. It is at this time that the mess dress was made by private purchase.

Wriggles continued his Navy career and rose to the rank of Commander, seeing a second tour of duty during the Vietnam War aboard the HMAS Brisbane in 1969. He concluded his service some time after and retired. Wriggles died on the 19th of October 1980.