Canadian Mess Tin Pouches

A look at a selection of Canadian mess tin pouches.
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[@brucegraham4332]

Mess tins were long gone by the time WE 82 comes around. Even when wearing 64 pattern, we used the pouch for rain gear, at least near the end of it's service life. I had mess tins issued, and have never used them, not for field use, kit inspections, nothing. There are 2 versions of that pouch, one with an internal pouch, used for the C9 drum, the the utility pouch without. Pretty much used interchangeably. I used one on my right side, holds a FMP and grenades perfectly!

[@lib556]

By the time I did basic trg (1983) mess tins were falling out of favour. In true army tradition, however, we still had to carry them (with the useless rain suit inside). There had been many rumours drifting around about health concerns associated with eating from the mess tins. I think we even stopped issuing them by the late 80s. Although, in basic, they were necessary for digging a drainage ditch around one's hootch. This was a morning inspection thing. The drainage trench had to be 1 x mess tin in width and depth. Back to eating. In the infantry we ate IMPs direct from the bag (heated or cold). We heated our brews in the canteen cup. If we were lucky to get fresh rats in the field (tac feeding via insulated 'hay boxes'), there was typically a pile of 'melmac' plates piled at the start of the queue. After eating we'd wash these plates in a wash tube (bleach added) and leave them for the CQ to take away. Eventually this was deemed to be insufficiently sanitary and we switched to paper plates etc. Lots of trash. There just wasn't much need for the mess tins after the 80s. Apparently, around 1990, our med folks declared the mess tins safe to eat out of, but, by then, no one wanted or cared to use them. The rumour about the health rumour was rumoured to have been initiated over soldiers using industrial cleaners on them to make them gleam on inspection layouts. I can't say for sure.

[@blacksmith67]

In the mid 80s we were using a mix of webbing in my reserve (territorial) unit. We used only one mess tin and rolled our wet weather gear into tight bundles which would just fit into the tray. Mess tin carrier and water bottle carrier were centred on the back of the belt and held together with a helmet band. My belt and braces were 1951 pattern, my mess tin carrier was 1964 pattern.

[@stephen2429]

Must admit, most of us carried only one mess tin. Tin mugs on the water bottle seemed to be the best for rations and brew ups.

[@lib556]

Glad you mentioned this. In a previous video, I pointed out the practice of securing the 2 pouches together in the rear with a spare helmet band.

[@stephen2429]

We used to have a mess tin in each kidney pouches on the 58patt webbing. There was a utility pouch on the PLCE webbing which could be used as utility or mess tin pouch.

[@davidbrennan660]

A video on Mess tin pouch with variants/ patterns?... there is someone who know how to turn my head.

[@althepal6818]

In late seventies early 80’s, we were told not to use the mess tins. Being made of aluminium, they presented a risk for the health we were told. We carried a plastic plate and cup in the rucksack and used them for hot food.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Good to know, thank you.

[@user-mu6sr6ve4d]

It later transpired that the instructions they gave us were not strictly true. The Aluminium is fine providing you leave it with its natural oxidation. However we had to polish ours with Brasso, that removed the mess tins natural coating & made the aluminuium more dangerous. The other aspect was whether you just ate hot food off them, or you cooked the food in them. Anyway, we survived!

[@RMmilitarymiscellany]

@@user-mu6sr6ve4d Very interesting. I shall have to get a set of the melamine cup and plate.

[@terrywarner8657]

@@RMmilitarymiscellany Pale yellow plate, shallow bowl, and a stacking cup. Typically Melmac brand. It was de rigeur to have a 550 cord lanyard on the handle of the cup. The practical way to carry them was in a flat sewn cotton or nylon drawstring bag. Nothing fancy or issue, just whatever worked. But ---- never get caught carrying them inside the respirator carrier. Yes they are a perfect fit, but we were always told they would deform the rubber facepiece. One final thought on field feeding, every flying kitchen had a soapy wash and hot water rinse station as the last stop in the serving line.

[@je710817]

Interesting item...the last one has the same hanging system as the older German BW webbing...atleast it seems like that.

[@petethebastard]

Wow! The thinking behind that latest version is very wise, totally utilitarian and practical. The designers were obviously listening to the troops! Many underestimate the importance of "minor items" like a mess kit (or Dixies, as we called them) to the average Digger in the field. The ability to have or prepare a feed is paramount to a cold hungry soldier! ...if you've dropped your pack and moved forward, then... waiting, waiting... having "eating irons" with you is a big bonus! (Australia rarely used Dixies... the Cup, Canteen, Steel was a better item and did everything the Pan Set, Messing did and better for a brew. It was rare for us to get delivered hot food, and during my time, it was in hot-boxes and thro-away aluminium TV-dinner trays) [Dropping packs was something to always avoid until the very last moment! Never be separated from your "house"! When you do... Plans will change, it'll rain, transport won't arrive, food won't happen... etc. ] Great vid, mate! As always.

[@dogfaceponysoldier]

I served in the US Army from 1986-2016. Outside of basic training I never carried a mess kit. They stopped being issued mid 90s. Same with the shelter half. It was a canteen cup, trioxane tablets and a poncho hooch for shelter.

[@kadm289]

- Canadian 1982 Pattern Web Equipment for me is somewhat wery sililar (in the method of attachment things to belt) to germany Bundeswehr Soldat 95 (S95) webbing system; is there any proof of copycat of this design by Canadians?

[@canarbn3com]

I have no concrete proof but having talked to a number of my German friends their load carrying kit was developed off of the 82 pattern and is not very well liked..

[@user-mu6sr6ve4d]

Ours was made in "1982", yours was in 1995, so I hardly think that we copied you haha

[@kadm289]

- so obvious - Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery;