The
trousers were introduced in the same set of Army Orders as the Jacket.
The Trouser can be described as loose and straight legged that when
fitted would ride high on the waist and would be held up by trouser
braces. It was lined at the waistband and at the crotch with white
cotton duck.
The waistband was fitted with 12 buttons for the trouser braces. These
buttons were arranged in pairs with two sets of pairs in the back
and the other pairs at the front two on each side. These buttons were
usually made of white metal (Zinc) or occasionally black japanned
tin. Pockets were let into the side seams of the trousers.
When
the ORs were fitted with trousers enough room was to be left to allow
for comfort when worn with shirt and woolen drawers.
What
is remarkable about the trousers is that until 1918 they remained
virtually unchanged save as the war continued some of the lining and
or pocket material may be made of cotton that tends towards a light
shade of khaki.
III.
Pattern 07 Puttees
The
most identifiable WWI item, wool leg wrappings. Nine feet in length
with two-foot cotton tape on the end.
IV.
Ammo Boots
Black
Pebble grain with no toe cap. However boots with toes caps are acceptable
for most units, and the others can be more difficult to find. No rubber
soles allowed, must be leather.
VI.
Braces
Correct
British Army braces are the best. Make sure you use ones that are
made of non-elastic cotton and have leather attachments for buttons.
Clip on suspenders will not be accepted.
VII.
Socks
Any
gray or green socks are fine.
Equipment
I.
Brodie Helmet
Any
of the WWI pattern Brodie helmets are acceptable. Look for one with
a good liner and fits your head. Leather support straps can be replaced.
Note:
Yank helmets are only slightly different than Brit/ Canadian, they
are missing a rubber dounut in the top liner pad. WWII helmets are
not allowed.
II.
No1 Mk. III Enfield
You
will want to find either an Enfield or a BAS Co. Enfield dated 1918
or earlier. Stay away from anything that says RFI or Lithgow. Lithgow
is ok if you want to do Aussie.
IIA.Mills
Web Gear Rifle Sling
WWII
dated ones are fine and are identical to those of the First World
War. Just make sure that you get one with Brass ends. Stay away from
the ones with blackened ends.
III.
Water Bottle
Blue
enamel Brit bottle with a gray or khaki cover. Note: Do not use a
blue cover.
IV.
Etool and Helve (handle)
WWII
onesare acceptable but you will need to make sure that the handle
you get is early war. Later WWII ones the handle has a wooden lug
for the spike bayonet, so the handle can become a mine detector. Stay
away from those but the early ones are ok.
V.
303 Brit Charger Clips
Each
holds 5 rounds and will fit three to each pouch of the ammo pouches.
So the total you can fit into the pouches is 30 (150 rounds).
VI.
Small Box Respirator and Bag
VII.
Bayonet
Pattern
1907 Bayonet. You
want the scabbard to have the tear drop lug. Look for one that is
dated with a WWI date (other than the 1907 that is marked on all of
them).
Recommended
but Not Required
I.
Great Coat.
You
can find British WWII (1940 Pattern Dismounted) Great Coats
II.
Rain Cape.
These
are good for a 1917 and later impression. If you want an earlier wet
weather impression, you can purchase a Ground Sheet. Early WWII, brown
ones are acceptable as well.
III.
Gray Wool Blanket.
What
you are looking for is a Brit issue blanket. Will have a single red
line or three red lines down the centre and will have the ends edged
in red wool. Grey Civil War Style blankets are acceptable as long
as they do not have the US on them.
IV.
WWI Mess Tin.
The
"D" shaped and made from the 1850’s through WWI. This
was standard issue to British troops.
IVA.
WWI Mess Tin Cover.
Canvas
cover for your Mess Tin.
V.
Service Dress Cap
Basically
used for your walking out uniform.
