A Whistlestop Guide to British Uniforms and Equipment of the First World War. July 2020.

This short overview of the development of the basic British Army uniforms, equipment and weapons of the First World War is a shortened version of a longer, comprehensive talk.
If you have questions on any of our online talks, please do post them in the Comments and we will reply to them.

[@FenellaBeach]

Outstanding turnout and presentation - everything well covered - really the best on KZbin by far. If this is a ‘whistle stop’ tour, I’d love to see your ‘in-depth’ presentation ! The backdrop is perfect too - please keep them coming.

[@GreatWarHuts]

manxmaidable Thank you very much indeed. Taff usually manages to squeeze far more detail into the hour-long version, but everyone seems to have enjoyed this so far!

[@declang303]

Well said! 👍

[@stephenbarker5162]

A very good presentation. It is interesting given the popular view that the British High Command were uncaring and incompetent that the equipment provided to the troops was state of the art and well adapted to the job they had to do.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much, Stephen. Yes, it certainly challenges that view, doesn't it? Maybe a theme for a future talk!

[@Pyjamarama11]

uncaring LOL how unimaginative Generals dreamt of having their armies murdered unnecessarily, didn't they ?

[@bertbigballs]

Private Morling is to be congratulated, outstanding.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

Big props to the soldier (or Marine) modeling the kit. If he’s not a professional soldier then he’s a fine actor 👍🏼 Great video. Loved the intro

[@darrenholt4530]

Just rewatched again, absolutely fantastic

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much, Darren!

[@jakebrowncollection1772]

Fantastic presentation Taff really informative and engaging and the kit is superb very jealous 👍

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed, Jake!

[@Patrick-vt79w2]

Thank you so much. This was an outstanding presentation of the evolving British soldier's equipment up to, and including the great war.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed, Patrick. 🙂👍🏻

[@paultempleton2801]

An outstanding interesting presentation presented in a way that held my attention through out the 41 minutes

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed, Paul!

[@DestryAlecto]

This is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. Tony Pollard sent me. :) Thanks so much. Subscribed.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much! :)

[@terrywoodham8419]

Very good taff this has shown me so much that I didn't know please keep these coming well done .

[@davidglover9368]

Great talk Taff as always, it is always a pleasure listening to you, delivered with great detail and the reasons why things progressed from the Boer war. So nice to hear the facts regarding the British army of 1918 the journey to get there came at a price which we all need to remember and be grateful for.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much, David. Yes, we certainly do.

[@MDBellamy]

Congratulations on a superb presentation. Very logical and utterly understandable in terms of evolution and practicality. The demonstration of the short magazine Lee-Enfield bolt action needed no words at all.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed, Tom.

[@markking7418]

EXCELLENT demonstration of the fire capacity of the .303 Lee-Enfield Mk III over that of the Mauser!! Way to go gents! Way to go!!

[@bagualimara6883]

Excelente video!! muy Didáctico e instructivo. Nos permite transportanos en el tiempo a una época Histórica de la vida Militar. Cuando ser soldado era mucho más duro que ahora. Un cordial saludo desde Argentina.

[@wolfpack4694]

Superb explanation! Very useful to me making a little diorama commemorating 11 April 1917 when my great uncle was KIA in the attack on the chemical works by the 1st BN 7th RIF and the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, 10th BDE, 4th Division and trying to sort out all the various box art and the equipment for that day. Very much appreciated. Great insights for me now as I paint the figures.

[@darrenholt4530]

These videos are fantastic, it is so interesting and your enthusiasm is glorious. On to the next video now

[@GreatWarHuts]

Darren Holt Thanks, Darren!

[@steveduecker9872]

Wonderful presentation!

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

What a fantastic talk. I particularly liked the tactics section at the end. Well done.

[@lawomega1]

Brilliant ,very informative,just loved it ,thanks for posting !

[@hawkeye4528]

These really are an excellent and informative series of presentations. Probably learnt more from these than from reading many books on the subject over the years.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much!

[@DefunctYompelvert]

Wow that was awesome , didn’t even realise 40 minutes went by

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed!

[@johnmichalski5981]

Nice summary remark I once read: America equipped its soldiers with a target rifle, Germany equipped its soldiers with a hunting rifle, while Britain equipped its soldiers with a battle rifle.

[@patrickHayes-bq1ry]

trouble was still using the same rifle in WW2 when US had a semi auto and Germans had an assault rifle by end of war

[@tomkilgallon6730]

Superb. Thank you very much. Just subscribed! Won’t miss any more.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thanks, Tim!

[@CalicoJack1803]

Absolutely fantastic presentation! Thank you!

[@lillianwilliams3854]

Absolutely brilliant enjoyed every minute

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much, Lillian

[@TaZ101SAGA]

Wow, what an excellent video. Thanks very much.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you!

[@danielc3512]

Amazing video! Thank you!

[@sagnal]

I would really like to see something on the Australian Service Dress Jacket of World War 1 which was of quite a different design. With its loose fitting cut, bellows pockets at the bottom, waist belt and the double pleat down the spine for warmth,i wondered if it might have been the inspiration for the World War 2 M1942 Parachute jacket worn by the US Army. I believe the British Army trousers, puttees, boots and 1908 Web equipment were pretty standard and worn with this uniform. The only consistency during Gallipoli is that many Australian troops were equipped with the flat peaked cap rather than the Slouch Hat as there was some concern that British Soldiers might mistake the Slouch Hat for a Gernan or Turkish item of uniform. By the time the Australians travelled to France however, the slouch hat had replaced the flat peaked cap entirely. Any further information you can provide about this uniform would be appreciated.

[@6diddy6]

Excellent presentation, Taff and team. You made it very easy to follow and understand. Great stuff!

[@GreatWarHuts]

6diddy6 Thank you very much. We are pleased you enjoyed it!

[@Dullborn]

Ejoyed this and headress video very much...clear, concise and loaded with info...all in one take..Thank you...

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed.

[@alanbrockbank383]

As always a very polished presentation by everyone well done

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much, Alan!

[@forevers1238]

That was a enjoyable but sad melody in the intro my friend. Would you have the name of the piece?

[@russelldoherty5416]

Brilliantly done yet again Taff !

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thanks, Russ!

[@zombikombi59]

Well done Taff and team, another excellent talk

[@GreatWarHuts]

Mike Johnson Thank you very much!

[@MrChrisStarr]

Thanks again Taff. A really useful summary of the development of kit through the war. A video on the development of tactics would be fantastic. (You alluded to the changes in this video.) The image of lines of troops walking across shell pocked fields without any aim other than to close with the opposing trench is still a prevalent view. Maybe an overview of the training manuals? Having read Dr Fox's excellent book 'Learning to Fight' I know things were very different!

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed, Chris. we are working on a few ideas to cover some of these themes. As you say, the reality was very different to the perception!

[@marklongman6882]

Another great and informative video, I didn't realise that the kit changed so much or was so advanced.

[@hwntwww]

Awesome handling of the SMLE at 10:25

[@Nooziterp1]

Not needing to take the Lee Enfield rifle off your shoulder to operate the bolt was less to do with the bent bolt handle and more to do with the short bolt stroke due to the rear-locking bolt.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

My Mother was born in England. We lost about half of the men of breeding age in WW1. We were luckier than most. God bless all the Soldiers who fought in both world wars.

[@eastgreenketama1]

Fantastic video!

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much!

[@battlefieldbiscuit3836]

Excellent talk - only made better by the presence of the hardtack biscuit in the opening credits. Well done all!

[@GreatWarHuts]

:)

[@danielconway2832]

I admire your collection. You did make one small mistake. The khaki surge uniform was used for service in Europe. The khaki (cotton) drill and pith helmet continued to be used in the tropics during both the First and Second World Wars. During the later part of World War II a green uniform replaced the khaki in the Far East.

[@miketickner6108]

The 1903 Pattern equipment may have had a short working life for the British Army in Europe but it continued to be used by the Scouts and Guides regiments on Indian's North West Frontier until at least the mid 1930s.

[@NSYresearch]

Hi all... An excellent presentation Taff, thank you. Now how about doing one on cavalry ? I'm sure some of the 16th Lancers would be up for it or talk to Adam Cruickshank he's a good presenter too.

[@buckthegoth]

Fantastic talk, I argue this point over and over again with ignorant commentors who come up with the same old statements lion's led by by donkey's, British were hopless in WW1 etc etc.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Ian B Thank you very much, Ian. Have you seen the ‘Context for the Complex’ talk?

[@keithyork7691]

Excellent presentation... possibilities to look at Empire troops...Indians, Canadian, New Zealanders, South Africans, Australians, etc. There are detailed differences in uniform despite following British Army Doctrine.

[@victornewman9904]

Incredibly well-led and equipped British army defeated the German army in the field. At last it's been said aloud.

[@GreatWarHuts]

We have been saying it for years, Victor!

[@piotrtrypus]

Phenomenal presentation, thank you Sir!

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you!

[@michaelwain7305]

Cavalry had Carbines ,a shortened version , they were not pulling out long Lee's on horseback ,, the SMLE was designed to replace both

[@GreatWarHuts]

Most of the Cavalry certainly did have carbines, as we cover in the latest talk, although this talk specifically refers to "a Mounted Infantry role" as the Mounted Infantry and the Imperial Yeomanry both used the long rifles, as in fact, did many Cavalry units. We had a Long Lee marked to the 7th Hussars and a colleague has just bought a MLM marked to the RHG.

[@valles_marineris8955]

Marvellous presentation

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed.

[@ww2chat416]

Awsome vid I'm starting a great war impression and this has helped alot

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you!

[@lawrencebrown6050]

Did you pinch one of those statue artistes from Leicester Square ?

[@GreatWarHuts]

Lawrence Brown He’s volunteered to stand on a plinth by the gate when we open to the public, Lawrence!

[@lawrencebrown6050]

@@GreatWarHuts He does a jolly good job in this video !

[@GreatWarHuts]

@@lawrencebrown6050 He certainly does!

[@naciremasti]

In the movie 'Journey's End', the British officers have a ribbon on their backs, why? What did the ribbon mean? I can't find anything on it.

[@GreatWarHuts]

The ribbon was a distinction worn by all Officers of 9/East Surrey when they first arrived in France. Replacement Officers were not entitled to wear them so, in #JourneysEnd only Stanhope and Osbourne have them to mark them as out as original members.

[@naciremasti]

@@GreatWarHuts was that just a British officer thing? Thanks for your reply. Cheers.

[@GreatWarHuts]

@@naciremasti It only related to the Officers of one Battalion, not all British Officers.

[@paulmorris3613]

brilliant thank you

[@945wendy]

Fantastic info. Thanks 🇨🇦👍🏼

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much, Wendy!

[@josephgonzales4802]

Great video, However he forgot to mention U.S. Army 1910 webb Infantryman gear which was o.k. However, I think the British equipment was better. 🤔

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you, Joseph. However, a talk entitled, ‘A Whistlestop Guide to BRITISH Uniforms and Equipment of the First World War was unlikely to cover the US 1910 equipment! However, we agree with you that the British equipment was much better. 😊 👍🏻

[@josephgonzales4802]

@@GreatWarHuts l know, however he did mention briefly French and German equipment being inferior which it was. U.S equipment even though being inferior to British was much better than theirs.

[@sqike001ton]

Interesting talking about the walking across no man's land I live near Gettysburg PA the sight of Pickett's charge and everyone asks why 1 a charge over 1 mile is called a charge 2 why the didn't run the answer is the same plus during 1863 the formations we're still Napoleonic nature hecne masses infantry and masses fire

[@sqike001ton]

Something I found interesting about military that used Mills style grenades the Americans seen to be the best at using them by the average soldier I've always wondered if it was Americans played baseball and a Mills hand grenade was similar in size to a Mills bomb I first heard of this talking to Vietnam vets apparently the Vietnamese indigenous troops couldn't throw hand grenades very well and it was attributed to the lack of throwing in there culture

[@victornewman9904]

No, the British bomb sections were brilliant: thanks to everyone having played cricket.

[@davidshattock9522]

Is the had mask filter made of asbestos like ww2 ones

[@coniston3106]

Wow the soldier can easily change from human to statue

[@agamsnow2877]

Was it me or did the first uniform look like it was being worn by a manikin. Legit thought it was a manikin scare me a little bit

[@courageunitycompassi]

The Great War is usually portrayed as a tragedy and Would War 2 is portrayed as heroic and just. I think that is unfair. Both were tragedy.

[@GreatWarHuts]

They were certainly both just.

[@paulcarruthers8646]

No the tragedy is were we are now 😔

[@derekmcnulty2559]

Holy jesus. I hope that rifle is a non functioning replica. Leaning a rifle you havent proved against a wall is a recipe for disaster!

[@paulcarruthers8646]

Not only that look at that shovel it could nock that stove over and false fire 😉

[@soultraveller5027]

the short Lee Enfield and long Lee Enfield here would have been deactivated the Rifles firing pin would have been removed or ground down other measures would have the barrel filled in with lead rendering the weapon safe this presentation of leaning the Rifle against the table was satisfactory done without any drama and he obviously presented before so he knew what he was doing being a Ex British squadie I didn't get too upset about the Rifle placement in this video ok Joe