The Clothing Factory During the 1930s and the Second World War

Abstract

The 1930s represented a decade of consolidation for the Australian Government Clothing Factory, but the demands placed upon the Factory as a result of the Second World War led to shortages of uniforms. Having been established in 1912 with what was then modern equipment, the Factory was now in need of an equipment and production overhaul. The types of uniforms produced by the Factory had also expanded as additional units had sprung up, including the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS), requiring separate uniforms. Many of the Factory’s lines were short production runs, which did not assist the efficient running of the Factory, and was also a complaint often heard by private contractors. However, an analysis of output per employee shows that the Factory was still performing better than the private clothing sector. Nevertheless, it was time to streamline the Factory’s production lines and the supply of raw materials. New ways to place orders and to run the production were investigated. This involved the Army’s role in forward planning and logistics so that clothing lines could be produced on time, in the required quantities and in the required sizes. The Defence Department undertook several reviews, including the standardisation of clothing lines between the Army, Navy and Air Force.