British WWI uniforms

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South
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British WWI uniforms

#1

Post by South » 04 Jan 2019, 00:23

https://www.popularmechanics.com/milita ... -uniforms/

Good afternoon all,

Article and video titled "Getting Dressed in World War I" about subject.

Would not a "scratchy wool uniform" be OK in a cold and wet trench ?

~ Bob
eastern Virginia

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Sheldrake
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Re: British WWI uniforms

#2

Post by Sheldrake » 04 Jan 2019, 02:55

South wrote:
04 Jan 2019, 00:23
https://www.popularmechanics.com/milita ... -uniforms/

Good afternoon all,

Article and video titled "Getting Dressed in World War I" about subject.

Would not a "scratchy wool uniform" be OK in a cold and wet trench ?

~ Bob
eastern Virginia
A|s the article points out, living in the field was pretty miserable until Gortex appeared in the 1970s. There wasn't better cold weather clothing than combinations of wool, cotton and rubberised canvas. They all had their drawbacks. Woolen great coats absorb water and mud. Rubberised canvas can keep you dry, but impermeable wet-proofs don't breath and you can't work for long in them.

British WW1 equipment was pretty much cutting edge clothing and equipment by early C20th standards. The uniforms were made of wool for economic reasons. Lots of sheep in Britain and its Empire and a massive woolen textile industry.

Khaki was a good choice of colour. The peaked cap was a sensible head covering. Easy to pack away - certainly compared to lemon squeezers. Lots of pockets and a decent length. The Germans thought the cut of British uniforms was better than the Germans - according to German reports. "German uniforms made the soldier look like a convict." American and dominion uniforms were even better made.

The combination of ankle boot and puttee was better footwear than the German high boot. Germans boots were often ill fitting - hence the running joke about the dead mans boots in "All's Quiet on the Western Front."

British canvas webbing was far superior to leather. It may absorb water, but it doesn't shrink and crack when it dries.

In warm weather the cotton vests and long underwear were too hot, Learning to love the feel of a woolen shirt was a British rite of passage. Some swore by shaving the inside of the shirt.

The Greatcoat was fine for cold weather and for sleeping in - but absorbed water and mud, nearly doubling the soldier's load when wet. Soldiering 101 was, and probably still is about coping with the elements. "skin is waterproof" "If it isn't raining it isn't training" Both world wars were fought by soldiers wearing these kinds of materials - if they were lucky. If they were unlucky they might be fighting in a Russian winter in summer uniforms .


South
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Re: British WWI uniforms

#3

Post by South » 04 Jan 2019, 10:23

Good morning Sheldrake,

Appreciate contributing info to this thread.

Am guessing "lemon squeezers" are "flying saucer" hats.

~ Bob
eastern Virginia, USA

ROLAND1369
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Re: British WWI uniforms

#4

Post by ROLAND1369 » 04 Jan 2019, 19:27

Do'nt underrate the value of wool clothing. Yes it absorbs water but unlike the synthetics used for under garment in today' cold weather clothing it is dried out by body heat while the synthetics do not and retain a cold clammy wetness. I used a Korean War wool OG shirt under my Gortex jacket and it was much more effective.

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