Wangiwriter's Blog

U is for Uniform

My grandfather’s unit, 1915.

Definition of Uniform: 1. Having one form… 2. A distinctive dress of uniform style, materials and colour worn by and identifying all the members of a group or organisation, esp, a military body, school, etc. (The Macquarie Dictionary).

There are very few people in Australia who have not worn a uniform at some time in their life. Almost all schools here have dress codes that include wearing a uniform – even if many students hate it and try to create variations.

My graduating high school class 1965.

Uniforms are worn to create a feeling of belonging to the group. The idea is to become identified with it to the extent that you will be loyalty, and give your best to it. Sporting teams are a perfect example of this, where every member must work together to get the best result. Wearing the team uniform illustrates their commitment to that.

We didn’t get colour photos then, and there was no way we could adapt our school uniform either. The uniform colours were: maroon tunics and blazers; white shirts; grey trousers for the boys; ties were maroon and gold stripes.

My sons attended a one-teacher school – two of them for all of their primary school years. Each year, individual children were selected from the small schools in the region to play in one team to play soccer at the regional sports carnival. To create that sense of one-ness that’s needed in a team, the boys (of course it was boys then!) wore a common uniform.

Here are three of my sons on Anzac Day in 1984.

Other groups also identify themselves with the uniform their members wear. Four of my sons belonged to the Boy Scouts.  With their troop they participated in the annual Anzac Day march, as well as other observances.

Even in individual sports, a uniform can indicate that a person is committed to that sport.

Rhee Tai kwon do

Of course, the most obvious uniforms are worn by police or military forces. The uniforms serve two main purposes: one is to identify their role within a in society (to uphold the law or to defend the country); secondly, to give cohesiveness and a sense of mutual support to that group. There are other reasons too, of course.

My paternal grandfather, British Army WWI

My maternal grandfather, Royal Navy WWI

My father, RAF WWII

My mother’s brother, British Army WWII

How often have you chosen to, or had to, wear a uniform. Do you agree that uniforms have value; or do you see them as negating individuality?

© Linda Visman 24.04.2014  (446 words)