Uniform and Equipment

Basic Clothing and Equipment

Introduction

First and foremost through our research we have found that no two battalions were exactly the same! A good example is the 2nd and 5th Battalions of the Northamptonshire Regiment. Both were in Italy at the same time, but the 2nd wore BD's and Denims only whilst the 5th wore KD's and BD's. Leather Jerkins were only worn on special duties (and officially, were to be returned to the stores after). In severe bad weather troops were even issued with Naval duffle coats.Tommy cookers were also issued on a needs must basis and also returned after. Puttees were rarely worn, gaiters being prefered (even with shorts) because of the ease of putting them on or removing. Insignia was rarely worn in the front line, but support troops frequently wore the Divisional sign (although again there are many variations according to the unit). So what follows is only a introductory guide.

Finally a word of caution when using official photographs as evidence - from talking to the veterans, most were stage managed and only men in their best kit would frequently be chosen to take part!

Clothing

The clothing worn by the British infantry soldier of World War Two was known as ‘the utility battle-dress’. And it comprised of a serge wool, waist length jacket (blouse) and trousers. At the start of the war its appearance was based on a pattern introduced in 1937. By D-Day most men wore the ‘1940 pattern’ often called the economy issue or austerity pattern that was introduced in 1942 The blouse featured exposed plastic buttons down the front, on pocket flaps and cuffs as well as a waist tab buckle with a slide of dull pressed steel. Unlike the earlier style, it had no box pleats on the pockets and only two buttonholes instead of three. Early versions had two inside pockets but later they were reduced to just one on the left-hand side.

The trousers were of a type introduced in 1941 and unlike earlier designs had no belt loops or straps at the bottom of the legs. But like earlier styles, there was a large patch pocket with an exposed plastic button fastening on one thigh and a small patch pocket with center flat pleat slightly higher on the other side for the first field dressing. The warm flannel interior waistband of earlier styles had now been replaced by a cotton one whilst on the outside were six stitched (two at the front and four at the back) buttons for the white elasticated braces that also had brown leather tabs.

Under the jacket a flannel shirt was worn. Although they had no collar, there was a “granddad” style neckband made of pale tan cotton. It was buttoned from the neck down to stomach with gunmetal or plastic buttons.

Since Victorian times the British Army had been fighting in warm climates around the world. The normal woollen uniform proved to be much to hot, so in the mid 1800’s a lightweight, dust coloured uniform was introduced. It was accepted for general issue in the 1890’s and called Khaki Drill (KD), from the Urdu word for dust (khak) and the German name for ‘ticking’; a three-threaded wove fabric – drillich.

At the outbreak of World War Two, the basic KD Service Dress (SD) uniform was of essentially the same design as those worn in Victorian times. The only major difference being the stand-up collar was replaced with a stand and fall type in the 1900’s. However detail such as pocket flaps varied, depending on the place of manufacture.

In the mid 1930’s KD shorts, plus the infamous ‘Bombay Bloomers’ as well as long trousers, and a tropical shirt were introduced to supplement the Service Dress and by 1941 had replaced them. The shorts were manufactured from a more hardwearing drill, and like the SD, detail such as the waistband and pockets varied. The ‘bloomers’ were three-quarter length trousers that were normally worn turned up above the knee and secured with buttons. The long KD trousers, like everything else of this pattern had minor variations but were essentially loose fitting and straight legged and with two side pockets and usually (but not always) a field dressing pocket at the front. The new long sleeve shirts were manufactured from ‘aertex’, a softer, open weave fabric and like the BD counterpart, of a pullover design. At the front, there were two pleated pockets with flaps at chest level and an opening that ended level with the bottom of the pockets, closed by four brown plastic buttons. Detachable epaulettes were also worn and secured by button and loop.

For the ordinary ranks (OR’s), the more formal bush shirt was also introduced to be worn with KD trousers. Made from either drill, aertex or herringbone twill, these were similar to the old KD SD’s but with an open collar. Loose cut with four pockets they were designed to be worn over the top of the trousers, but were frequently seen tucked in. The officer’s equivalent was the bush jacket, a lighter, looser version of the formal SD tunic.

Having said all that, the extremes of climate in both the desert and Italy meant that the KD’s were often mixed with the woollen BD uniform along with greatcoats, issue woollen pullovers and jumpers. In addition to these, US-made War Aid bush jackets made from Herringbone twill, cotton trousers and shorts as well as BD were being issued in the latter stages of the war..

Webbing
To carry all his equipment a lightweight harness system made from web, a strong woven cotton material was worn. The The 37 pattern webbing was one of four designs (Nos 1 to 4) originally submitted for trials by the Mills Equipment Co in 1932 after years of independent research. The No 3 set was adopted two years later although its introduction was deferred whilst the Army procured a new light machine gun. The No 3 set was based on Mills earlier 1919 design which included a new hook-and-loop buckle ( a feature of British webbing until the introduction of the PLCE web). In 1936, the Army adopted the Bren LMG however its curved magazines did not fit either the existing 08 pattern or the new No 3 set. So Mills went back to the drawing board and re-designed their No 3 set, this time including a simple oblong webbing pouch with a top flap secured by a tab and snap fastener. This new pouch could hold two Bren magazines; 50 rounds of .303in ammunition or hand grenades. Trials of the modified set were successful and it was introduced as the ‘Equipment, Web, 1937 Pattern’ in June 1938.

The 1937 pattern was made from pre-shrunk woven web, he yarn itself first being dyed and waterproofed. Also edges were woven (selvedged) rather than cut which made the much stronger. All metal fittings were made of high quality brass that could either be highly polished for the parade ground or dulled for the battlefield.It was designed so that everything was carried above the waist (thereby allowing freedom of movement for the wearer’s legs). At the heart of the system was the webbing waist belt that was fastened by a brass hook and loop clasp, individual components then being linked together by adjustable straps and buckles.

COMBINATIONS
The 37 pattern could be worn in a number of different combinations to suit the needs of all personnel. These were known as orders of wear, which for the infantry was as follows:-

Battle Order

Belt, bayonet frog, basic pouches (2), braces (pair), haversack, shoulder straps (pair), entrenching tool carrier (head and helve), waterbottle and carrier.

The first item to be put onto the belt was the webbing bayonet frog for the No 4 Mark II bayonet, with the belt passing through the web loop of the frog. On to each side were the basic snap fastening pouches (or small cartridge carriers, for non-infantry personnel with rifles) attached to the belt by double hooks on the back of the pouch. In addition, on the back of each pouch a brass buckle could be found. Through these was threaded one end of the webbing braces (available as either 47 inch or 55 inch). These crossed behind the back and threaded through another buckle on the back of the belt. On to the centre of this basic harness was fitted the small pack (or haversack) with hooks in the middle of the straps hooking onto the pouch buckles. Normally kept under the flap of the small pack was the rubberised cloth groundsheet. This had holes along the edges so could be used either as a cape or a rudimentary shelter.

Hanging below the belt on the right hip was the webbing frame for the water bottle. This was buckled to the ends of the webbing braces, one of which is threaded behind one of the pouches. The intrenching tool carrier was clipped onto the back of the belt although the tool itself was soon found to be insufficient for the job in hand, so was frequently left out. The carrier being used to hold personal items (see below). The water bottle itself was made from enamelled metal with a khaki felt cover; it held two pints of water and was sealed with a cork on a short length of corded string. Frequently the soldier’s enamelled tin mug was threaded through one of the straps on the small pack. Another piece of equipment suspended from the belt was a ‘Jack’ knife. This was attached by corded string with a loop at each end and usually kept in a pocket. The knife, introduced in 1932, had a hard black plastic grip, a large blade, a short screwdriver and a tin/bottle opener.

Either slung over the shoulder on its strap or clipped onto the belt by means of two hooks at the back, was the Respirator case made from drab green waterproof canvas. Inside was the Light Service Respirator (introduced in 1941) as well as a cardboard envelope with six Mark II acetate eyeshields; Anti-fogging compound and rag; a tin containing five tubes of decontamination ointment and two khaki gas detection armbands that turned red in the presence of gas.

Marching Order
Belt, bayonet frog, basic pouches (2), braces (pair), haversack, shoulder straps (pair), entrenching tool carrier (head and helve), waterbottle and carrier, pack, supporting straps (2).
In addition to the above and normally reserved for either training or if the battalion vehicles could not follow, was Marching Order. This was the same as above except the soldier would wear his 1908 pattern Large Pack on his back and his Small Pack hanging from its strap on the left shoulder in place of the intrenching tool. Inside the Large Pack, the soldier could carry cold weather kit, spare boots etc., whilst a blanket rolled inside the groundsheet could be tied over the top.

Musketry Order
Belt, bayonet frog, basic pouches (2), braces (pair).

Pistol Order
Belts, braces (pair), brace attachments (2), pistol case, ammunition pouch.

Other sets issued to officers, armoured troops and non-combatants were:-
Non-infantry battalions with rifle
Belt, bayonet frog, basic pouches (2), braces (pair), haversack, shoulder straps (pair), waterbottle and carrier.
Officers plus some Warrant Officers and NCOs
Belt, braces (pair), brace attachments (2), pistol case, ammunition pouch, binocular case, compass pocket, waterbottle and carrier, haversack or officers haversack, shoulder straps (pair).
Personnel armed with pistol only
Belt, braces (pair), brace attachments (2), pistol case, ammunition pouch, waterbottle and carrier, haversack, shoulder straps (pair).
Royal Armoured Corps or Royal Corps of Signals
Belt, braces (pair), brace attachments (2), pistol case with cartridge loops, waterbottle and carrier, haversack, shoulder straps (pair) pack, supporting straps (2). .

For cold weather, the soldier had his heavy 1940 pattern greatcoat. This was a knee length double-breasted coat with a beige cotton or flannel lining sewn to the shoulders and reaching down to the chest. It had two rows of three large buttons down the front as well as two additional buttons under the wide lapels and a brass hook that could be used to close the neck tightly. On the shoulders were two epaulettes and a two piece half belt at the back, held in place by three small uniform buttons. The only insignia allowed to be worn on these were the rank insignia and arm of service strip. However a wool lined, sleeveless leather jerkin was preferred for combat, as allowed greater freedom of movement. He could also carry a Balaclava helmet, woollen cap comforter, gloves and scarf.

For cooking, a soldier carried a set of two aluminium mess tins with thin folding handles that were poor conductors of heat (so the soldier did not get burnt), one fitting inside the other. These could be used for cooking, holding food or liquid. When not in use they could also store spare rations. To actually cook food, there was a small metal folding stand onto which a solidified alcohol tablet could be placed and lit. Over this, the mess tin was placed. He would also carry a set of cutlery and a pocket tin opener.

Care and Cleaning of personal kit
Webbing came in sand colour as standard. To change it meant coating it in the immortal ‘Blanco’. This was supplied in blocks or as a powder and came in No.3 Khaki Green (for N.W. Europe) or White (parade). For North Africa and Italy it was left in its original colour. Some regiments, such as the 2nd Battalion Northants wore black webbing in N.W Europe, which they achieved with a liberal coating of Boot Polish.
To apply Blanco was a messy business. From powder, the webbing first had to be moistened, and then the powder could be applied with a wet brush. ‘Blancoing’ webbing from a block was much more difficult, before it could be put on the web, it was necessary to turn the block into a paste. This could be done either by rubbing a wet brush on the block or by melting it in a little water before applying it to the web.
To keep the webbing clean it was first brushed with a soft brush to first remove any mud, and then carefully washed in soapy water (without scrubbing) before rinsing well and drying. Brass fittings on the webbing and buttons were highly polished (inside and out) in the Depot or for the parade ground. This was done with Brass Paste and a soft brush; a Bakelite or brass button stick was used to protect the uniform or webbing. However, in the field fittings were allowed to dull so as not to reflect the sun. Uniform brushes were issued for cleaning the battledress, having first allowing the mud or other stains to dry first.
For the parade ground, boots were highly polished, having had the pebble grained leather pressed to a smooth finish with a heated spoon before boot polish was melted and buffed into the boots. In the field polishing was not allowed. Instead, boots were coated with Dubbin to waterproof them and provide a degree of protection from gas attack.

Army Book 64
The AB 64 was a small booklet that ever soldier carried at all times and was his pay book and record of military service. Normally, passes ration coupons etc were carried inside for protection. The first section carried all the personal information such as Army Number, Surname, Christian name, Date and place of birth, nationality of parent’s, enlistment date and the establishment joined. Further sections recorded the owners training history, a record of trades and classes, specialist training, medical history (including sight tests, dentures, vaccinations etc.) and last will and testament.

Equipment and clothing statement.
Known as the “kit book”, this was a record of all the uniforms, weapons and equipment issued to a soldier. Everything received was itemised and initialled by the soldier and the quartermaster.

Haversack (Small Pack)
This was worn either on the back in Battle Order or on the left side in Marching Order. A T-shaped, fabric divider sectioned the inside of the pack, so that there were two small sections at the front for the water bottle and mess tins and a larger section at the rear. The official contents for this were: -
Small Towel
Mug (usually carried outside on one of the straps – sometimes in a sock to limit noise)
Rations
Change of Underwear
Candle
Matches/lighter
Cap (when not worn –either F.S or G.S type)
Dubbin and brush
2 spare handkerchiefs
Pencil
Gas cape
Mess tin
Knife, fork and spoon
Change of socks
Foot powder
Elastoplast (often wound round the pencil)
Safety pins
Nails
Shell dressing
Bandoleer of 50 rounds of .303 ammunition.
Wash Roll
Housewife
Spare chocolate
Spare cigarettes
However, in practice it proved to be far to small to carry all this. So the water bottle was normally worn from the brace ends on the right hand side. Many soldiers carried their mess tins in a water bottle carrier, suspended from the brace ends as well.

Wash Roll
This was a piece of white linen with a pocket at one end and several loops down the middle for securing its contents. The opposite end to the pocket came to point with linen laces to secure the holdall when rolled up. Typical contents included -
Soap in a holder, bar of shaving soap, comb, metal mirror, horsehair shaving brush, safety razor (metal or bakelite), eating utensils, spare boot laces, a large oval brush for hair, a smaller one for clothing and a rectangular one for his boots. There was a toothbrush with nylon bristles, toothpaste and soap in an aluminium soap tin was well as white cotton face flannel. To clean his boots he carried a tin of Dubbin and a tin or cake of Blanco to clean the webbing (this was sometimes carried in the intrenching tool holder, along with the brush). There was a guard for cleaning buttons made from pressed fibre or brass as well.

Bandoleers
To hold the addition ammunition required either for personal use of for the Bren gun, troops carried bandoleers either slung over them from the strap or in their small pack. Although several types were produced they were all made from linen, and had five compartments that could each hold two stripper clips of .303 ammunition. The most common had a simple overlapping flap closure whilst others had a wire loop that was bent through an eyelet.

First Field Dressing.
All troops were issued with First Field Dressing that was normally carried in the especially designed pocket at the front of the Battledress trousers and also under the helmet netting. Issued in pairs and cellophane wrapped, each one was a 2x3.5 inch gauze pad that was stitched to a bandage.

Shell Dressing
The Shell Dressing was a 5.5 x 3.5 gauze pad and was for use on larger wounds or binding splints.

Housewife
Although others carried out major clothing repairs, the soldier was expected to make all his own minor repairs. It was for this reason that each man was issued with a housewife, the standard issue sewing kit. Normally it was a white linen bag that contained the following: Six brass and six plastic buttons, five sewing needles on a card, grey balled darning wool for socks, a card with 50 yards of khaki thread and a plastic thimble. Because the battledress material was so tuff, a small denomination coin such as a farthing could be found in the bag, to help push the needle through. As well as issue ones, private purchase housewives, of khaki or green material could be often found. Often called a ‘Hussif’.

Braces
These were ‘Y’ shaped and made from white or khaki elasticated cotton. Each end terminated in a double leather tab for connecting to buttons on the inside of the BD trousers. Metal fittings on the two front straps allowed for length adjustment.