[Bill A]

Interesting observations David. It is odd that these were all machine sewn to begin with. Most of the time, it was up to the individual soldier to have the insignia put up.
The uniform is also missing the service chevrons. It has a lanyard that was for officers. The troopers and jnr ranks were to wear a plain black lanyard.
In reference to the question about the repatriation process, the following was the established practice. Those proceeding through the repatriation depots would be issued a new battle dress and a complete issue of insignia, ordnance pattern. (Ordnance pattern was the printed badges which were not popular with soldiers.) By this point in the war, insignia once issued was considered personal property. If a tunic was to be written off, the officer or other rank could remove any and all insignia for future use or as souvenirs. Being the printed badges were held in some disdane, it was not uncommon for personnel to put up embroidered insignia. The embroidered badges were more durable and in most cases had a better appearance than the printed ones. It was also possible to purchase embroidered insignia offered on the market. Many soldiers purchased these to put up on their new tunics.
This is part of the problem for collectors. The exceptions to the rules are so common that it is usually argued that, despite contradictory evidence, this is what the fellow wore. It allows a great deal of latitude for the unscrupulous to put together a tunic. They then call it a crow, because it looks like the crows on the hydro line.