Greatcoats Collection

Wartime advert for Austin Reed, promoting their women's greatcoats. Date: 1943

Women of the Republican Militia; Spanish Civil War 1936
Two female members of the Republican Militia, wearing greatcoats and holding rifles, pictured in Madrid, 1936. Date: 1936

General Gallieni stopping the German advance on Paris at the Battle of the Marne, 1914 (colour litho)
3622140 General Gallieni stopping the German advance on Paris at the Battle of the Marne, 1914 (colour litho) by Beuzon, Joseph (1864-1940); Private Collection; (add.info)

Foreigners being allowed to leave the besieged city of Adrianople (colour litho)
2779907 Foreigners being allowed to leave the besieged city of Adrianople (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The new uniform for French infantry officers (colour litho)
2818593 The new uniform for French infantry officers (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The new uniform for French infantry officers)

Russian retreat after the Battle of Mukden, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho)
2795927 Russian retreat after the Battle of Mukden, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Russian retreat after the Battle of Mukden)

After the Battle of Mukden, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho)
2795925 After the Battle of Mukden, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: After the Battle of Mukden, Russo-Japanese War)

The sons of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany in military uniform (b / w photo)
3094489 The sons of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany in military uniform (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Russo-Japanese War: General Kuropatkin departing St Petersburg for the Far East (colour litho)
3097360 The Russo-Japanese War: General Kuropatkin departing St Petersburg for the Far East (colour litho) by French School

Russian dispatch riders forcing their passage on the road to Port Arthur, Manchuria (colour litho)
2795845 Russian dispatch riders forcing their passage on the road to Port Arthur, Manchuria (colour litho) by French School

The Russo-Japanese War: transporting wounded Russian soldiers on sledges made from skis (colour litho)
3097367 The Russo-Japanese War: transporting wounded Russian soldiers on sledges made from skis (colour litho) by French School

The end of a glorious institution (colour litho)
2779981 The end of a glorious institution (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The end of a glorious institution)

Maxim gun in position, Albert, Somme, First World War (b / w photo)
3104503 Maxim gun in position, Albert, Somme, First World War (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Maxim gun in position, Albert, Somme)

Some of Our Enemies, The Christmas Day Truce of 1914 (b / w photo)
NAM244267 Some of Our Enemies, The Christmas Day Truce of 1914 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); National Army Museum

School for French Army drummers (colour litho)
2795720 School for French Army drummers (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: School for French Army drummers. L ecole des tambours)

General Kuropatkin using a car to tour the Russian lines in Manchuria during the Russo-Japanese War (colour litho)
2795896 General Kuropatkin using a car to tour the Russian lines in Manchuria during the Russo-Japanese War (colour litho) by French School

The last war veterans from the Hotel des Invalides, Paris (colour litho)
2779394 The last war veterans from the Hotel des Invalides, Paris (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The last war veterans from the Hotel des Invalides)

The Petit Journals film cameraman filming events in the Russo-Japanese War in Manchuria (colour litho)
2795843 The Petit Journals film cameraman filming events in the Russo-Japanese War in Manchuria (colour litho) by French School

Sick and wounded Russian soldiers being transported using skis (colour litho)
2795826 Sick and wounded Russian soldiers being transported using skis (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The sons of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany in military uniform (photo)
6031347 The sons of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany in military uniform (photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and his six sons in military uniform (coloured photo)
6031343 Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and his six sons in military uniform (coloured photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Northanger Abbey / Villain
The three villains in horsemans greatcoats. Date: First published: 1818

WW1 British Royal Artillery officer wearing knitted scarf
Photograph of an unidentified officer in the Royal Artillery wearing a great coat and what looks like a hand knitted scarf or muffler. Date: c.1917

Winter greatcoats being made in army clothing factory, WWII
A great effort being made to get a big supply of greatcoats finished quickly so that no men may be caught by winters grip without them

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"Timeless Elegance: Women's Greatcoats in Wartime" Step back in time to 1943, when Austin Reed unveiled their exquisite collection of women's greatcoats. In the midst of war, these coats became a symbol of strength and style for the courageous women who wore them. During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, even the Women of the Republican Militia embraced this fashionable outerwear. With their heads held high and clad in greatcoats, they stood united against adversity. In 1914, General Gallieni halted the German advance on Paris at the Battle of Marne. Clad in his distinguished greatcoat, he led his troops with unwavering determination and turned the tide of history. Amidst turmoil and chaos during times like those depicted in Adrianople or Mukden during Russo-Japanese War, foreigners were allowed to leave besieged cities. Their greatcoats provided comfort as they embarked on uncertain journeys towards safety. The French infantry officers proudly donned new uniforms featuring magnificent greatcoats that exuded authority and sophistication. These garments epitomized military prestige and commanded respect on every battlefield. Even royalty embraced this noble attire; Crown Prince Wilhelm's sons were captured forever in black-and-white photographs wearing military uniforms adorned with regal greatcoats - a testament to their heritage and duty. As General Kuropatkin departed St Petersburg for Far East during Russo-Japanese War, he too relied on his trusty greatcoat to shield him from harsh elements while leading his troops into battle. Russian dispatch riders braved treacherous roads en route to Port Arthur, Manchuria - their resilience embodied by sturdy greatcoats that protected them from bitter cold winds as they delivered vital messages across enemy lines. When wounded soldiers needed transport after battles like Mukden during Russo-Japanese War, ingenious sledges made from skis came to rescue.