Personal/field gear
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Pattern '37 webbing, battle order
Pattern '37 webbing in battle order, consisting of belt (Indian made, size large, dated 1942), braces (left and right, size normal, made by Mills Equipment Company, dated 1943), pouches, basic, Mk III (Indian made, dated 1944), Mk VII water bottle in its carrier case (dated 1943), and entrenching implement and helve, Mk II, with bayonet adaptor in their 1st issue carrier. |
Pattern '37 pistol case, ammunition pouch & compass pocket
Map case
.303 ammo bandolier
Water carrier
"Chargall" water carrier, used in hot / tropical climates; a copy of earlier commercial patterns, which were also influenced by the water carriers made of goat skin in North Africa and the Middle East. According to the imprinted instructions, it was "to be soaked in water for 48 hours before use". Then, the water, slowly evaporating due to the heat, would leak through the fabric, keeping the rest of the content cool. |
Utility pouches
Utility pouches, used to carry an extra load of ammunition (Bren magazines, PIAT rounds, mortar shells) when needed. The set consisted of "Pouch, front, with waist strap", "Pouch, rear, with loop", and the "Yoke", which allowed it to be slung over the shoulder. The "front" pouch was meant to be worn on the left side of the chest, and the "rear" one behind the right shoulder. Photographic evidence, though, also shows both pouches worn on the chest. All components shown in the photos on the right are dated 1940 and 1941. |
Leather flare pistol case
P37 anklets
Wool scarf / cap comforter
A 1944 dated cap comforter. A wool cylinder with both ends sewn, which could be used both as a scarf and, when folded into itself, as a cap. Being really practical, this general issue piece became iconic due to its preferred use by trench raiding parties during WW1 and commando units during WW2, which is why it is often mistakenly named as such. |