(see also his Blue Patrol tunic and Mess dress tunic)
The tunic features a row of oversized solid brass gilt buttons that are not found on any other uniform. This style was part of the army tradition that had carried on since the time of the RFC and the first world war. The later RAF had long since disbanded this style but since the SAAF retained army ranks and traditions, this uniform was retained.
This is a very rare uniform that not many individuals had the need to own or wear as part of the SAAF. Prior to the war, this uniform would been worn for full dress occasions such as parades, funerals, royal functions, and only by career officers of which there were few. Many officers did not own uniforms like this as they were expensive and simply rented them.
The dark blue tunic is worn with red striped stirrup pants and patent leather boots with spurs. White gloves were regulation. This tunic would have been worn with a sword belt/sash and sword but I have not seen one pictured.
As a lieutenant in the SAAF, the epaulets feature two British style pips in keeping with the army traditions of this service. All are hand embroidered with bullion wire and red velvet.
The epaulets worn are completely unique to this full dress uniform. They are gold cord with small red stripes for a junior officer. They are fastened to the tunic by a gilt button on a long extender fastened to a large, flat nut under the shoulder.
As seen here, the epaulets are quite substantial and stand high above the shoulders. Lt. Pope is depicted in front of the Boer War Memorial in Johannesburg, which was considered the center of military ceremony and reverence in South Africa at the time.
The high red collar features beautifully embroidered SAAF collar devices, surmounted on a red wool high collar and outlined in gold wire russian braid.
The pointed gilt bordered >> sleeves are similar to the uniforms worn during the first world war and became obsolete by the twenties. Once WWII arrived, these uniforms were never worn again.