Service dress and the tunic
The standard British Army uniform of the First World War was khaki service dress. It was worn in several patterns over the period, and the 1902 pattern and its later variants are the ones most often seen in collections. Other ranks and officers wore the tunic, trousers and cap in khaki drab wool, although the fabric and finish changed as the war went on.
Rank showed differently for officers and other ranks. Officers wore rank on the cuffs and on the shoulder straps. Other ranks wore chevrons on the sleeves. Officers also wore a Sam Browne belt, which is a useful clue when you look at a set of officer’s kit.
The 1908 Pattern webbing
Most British infantry carried their gear on 1908 Pattern webbing. The set included a belt, ammunition pouches, a haversack and a water bottle carrier, plus straps and other fittings. It was made from cotton webbing, which was dyed khaki.
When you look at a set, check that the parts match. Mixed sets are common, and later replacement parts often look different from the originals. Compare the buckles, stitching and stamped marks with reference books before you assume a set is complete.
The Brodie helmet
The Brodie helmet was a wide-brimmed steel helmet that was introduced in 1915. It was designed to protect against shell fragments and falling debris, and it became the standard British helmet for the rest of the war. Many men wore the helmet in the trenches, where it was a familiar part of the soldier’s kit. Its WWII successor, the Mk II, is covered in World War 2 military helmets.
Check the inside of the helmet, the liner and the chin strap. Makers and contracts left marks in different places. Reproductions are common, and a helmet with no liner or chin strap is harder to date.
Boots, puttees and gaiters
British infantry usually wore ankle boots, not the high boots seen in some other armies. The boots were worn with puttees (long cloth wraps) or with gaiters. Puttees were practical in mud and cold, and they were often rolled or wrapped by the soldier.
Puttees and gaiters are easy to find in sets, but they are also easy to fake. Look for wear that suits the period and for fittings that match the boots.
Insignia and identity discs
Cap badges, shoulder titles and regimental badges showed a soldier’s unit. Identity discs were also in use by the time of the war, and many soldiers wore them. The discs carried a name and number, and they are one of the most personal items to find in a collection. For the American equivalent in the next war, see WWII military dog tags.
Insignia can be matched to units using reference books and museum collections. Be careful with badges that have no provenance. Many were produced later for display or reenactment.
Checking an item: original or later reproduction
A few checks can help you decide whether an item is likely to be original:
- compare it with a museum example or a reference book
- look for wear and fittings that suit the period, and for parts that look too new
- check the markings, stamps and stitching against known examples
- ask whether the set is complete, and whether the parts came from the same source
- be cautious about any item with no history or paperwork
No single check settles the question. If an item is valuable or important to you, get a specialist’s opinion before you buy.
Related reading
For the wider context, start with the British and Commonwealth militaria collecting guide. For the same kind of kit in the next war, see British and Canadian WWII uniforms.