Private Cyril (Frenchy) Ray remembers what Australian ground troops wore in Malaya.

"Apart from the slouch hat which was kept as part of our tradition, we were to be equipped with a British uniform designed for hot and humid climate. For the first time in history for Australia we had to wear a green cotton hat, immediately described as the 'giggle hat' or 'hat ridiculous-for-the-use-of'.

"We were told that a coloured ribbon could be attached around the hat, which permitted a forward scout to identify a 'friend' from a 'foe' instantly in deep jungle. This identification system was hardly used at first and completely ignored most of the time.

"We were issued with a camouflaged cotton scarf to wear around the neck to wipe the sweat off one's face, plus toggle-rope with a wooden handle and a large machete in a canvas holder.

"The uniform consisted as 2 different sets. For day time (not in the jungle) a pair of green shorts, not too long and not the Bombay bloomers of the past.

"In the jungle or after dark, a long pair of trousers were issued with large side pockets designed to carry maps, note book and various useful objects. The sleeves had to be rolled up during the day and buttoned down at night (anti-mosquito precautions)."

t wasn't only the uniforms that had to change to suit the jungle. The weaponry had to match the conditions as well.

"Most of us were issued with a short barrel .303 Lee Enfield Rifle, bolt action. Apparently the old .303 Mark 1 was too long to operate in close jungle, the barrel getting caught in bushes and vines. We were told, justly, that the short barrel was not made for accurate shooting, but it did not matter as most clashes in the jungle are normally limited to a 100 yards.

"The interesting thing was that each company was issued with two double barrel shotguns. Loaded with buckshot big enough to drop an elephant, the firing of the 2 barrels by a forward scout had a good chance to drop a CT at 50 yards and frightened the rest of them to a stampede.

"When I raised the question that shotguns were banned under the Geneva Convention, I was told officially that the Communists had not signed such a convention. The same reasoning allowed the medical corps to carry a weapon.

"Finally, riflemen were issued with a short bayonet to be attached to the .303. It was shaped like a blade knife, but not sharpened on the cutting edge. Proved useful at times to open large food tins."