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Date: |
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Description: | 1, ME CO 1918 2, (broad arrow) M.W&S Ltd 1918
M (broad arrow) 339 N (broad arrow) Z
N.Z
3, (broad arrow) 574 4, (broad arrow) 638
NZ M.E.Co 1919
M.E.Co.1918 R
5, (broad arrow) 6, M.E.Co.1918
362 L (broad arrow) NZ
NZ
7, ME Co 1918 O 8, NZ
(broad arrow) (broad arrow)
666 571
NZ
The high degree of adverse criticism levelled at the Slade-Wallace equipment as worn on campaign in during the Second Anglo-Boer War resulted in general agreement of its unsuitability for future service. The 1903 pattern bandolier equipment was introduced as a replacement. Although it had advantages over its predecessor it was not without its shortcomings, for example it severely limited the amount of items the soldier could carry on the march and it caused discomfort to the chest and shoulders by the unbalanced load (see EQU 3815).
In 1906 a design of infantry personal equipment was submitted by a Major Burrowes of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (in collaboration with the Mills Web Equipment Company) for evaluation to a committee chaired by the Surgeon-General. This equipment consisted of several components made of canvas web that when assembled could form a one-piece item capable of being put on and taken off like a coat. The load was well-balanced and as the main components could be adjusted to fit the individual soldier the equipment was reasonably comfortable.
The new design permitted a variation in the amount to be carried; 'Marching Order' required the man to be able to carry ammunition (150 rounds), water, rations, mess tin, bayonet, entrenching tool, spare clothing (including a rolled greatcoat in a pack) that totaled his overall carrying capacity to 62 pounds (including clothing and rifle). When the situation permitted, the pack could be discarded and the equipment re-arranged by placing the haversack onto the shoulders, thereby decreasing his overall weight.
The equipment was initially tested by troops in Great Britain, the Middle East and in India and as a result was accepted by the Army Council in 1907. Put into large-scale production, this very flexible equipment was thereafter designated the 'Pattern 1908 Web Infantry Equipment', and continued in service for thirty years.
Waistbelt, frog, braces, cartridge carriers (left & right), waterbottle carrier, waterbottle, haversack & intrenching tool carrier (empty).
Optimised
Original Image
Optimised Image | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | MW and S Limited | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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