What did a WW1 soldier carry in his pockets?

[@kaciegiles9235]

People like you keep history alive. I'm 36 and love history. Hopefully younger people carry it on and put their phones down. When it gets forgotten it's repeated. Thanks.

[@beanie1792]

I'm 37 and love history too, but one of the greatest tools to access history is our phones! It's about getting the younger ones intrested in it. There has been some absolutely amazing people in history, some monsters too. But you know what they say...

[@HomoLegalMedic]

Put our phones down? The ones we're using to learn history from this great man? Wouldn't that be counterproductive?

[@johnhenderson131]

Couldn’t agree more with you. I wish more people appreciated history as you do, they might actually learn how important history is..For those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it! This especially applies to war, I was in the army and I assure you, there is no glory in combat just fear pain and suffering. If more people studied history as you do it could save a lot of terrible suffering. Sincerely, Doc Ex combat medic

[@johnhenderson131]

@@beanie1792 I can guess, Those that don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it? I’m 62 and get frustrated that younger people don’t know history or appreciate the sacrifices made by my parents generation fighting WWII for our freedom. I was a medic in the army for over 6 years. I experienced limited combat but enough to know that war is not pleasant and consists mostly of hours of boredom interspersed with terrible moments of fear, pain, suffering and misery. If people learned from history maybe the suffering could be avoided. It shocks me when I hear kids today that have never heard of WWII let alone WWI , Korean War or even Vietnam. Sincerely, Doc

[@KlebsonOliveiraSilva]

Oh yeah, I'll put my phone down and start watching videos such as this one in history books. Phenomenal ideia! Jk!

[@joops110]

177k and we keep going up! Go Kevin!

[@tomwilson9024]

Great isn't it. I joined the channel around 24k I think it was, and not too long ago!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks. I've been surprised and very humbled by everyone's support and kind words. I look forward to bringing more videos to you all in 2023.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@ThatsRoyal How lovely, thanks so much!!

[@theblackprince1346]

9:05 swagger stick strategically placed I see Kevin haha. Another great and insightful video.

[@TheSteve0583]

Kevin, I so enjoy just listening to you talk in your calm even voice. In a chaotic day, it's a respite for sure. On top of that, your love for the subject of history and military is obvious. Your interest in what you speak about makes the listener even more interested. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure Stephen, thank you for watching 👍🏻

[@als3022]

Amazing how much of a single person's life can be stuffed onto their person. And each man in the front carried something that his friends did, and some that were just for him. Something every soldier throughout time probably understands. Love these videos and can't wait for the medieval medicine one.

[@end0skeleton404]

This channel does more than the history channel on TV has ever done, thank you.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks!!

[@end0skeleton404]

@@thehistorysquad No, thank you.

[@TheItalianPepe]

Seriously love this channel. The little tidbits of history you bring to attention that are overlooked tend to be the more interesting ones I think. Stay warm this winter History Squad! BTW, I really hope you cover the 1914 Christmas Truce. Love to hear your take on it.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks so much!! Not this year, the Truce, but I'll make sure I cover it next year. 👍🏻

[@scrappydoo7887]

The general character and presentation has something special that totally sets it apart from other history channels. It's definitely a firm favourite

[@lindaashford7187]

Very interesting. My relative was a 2Lt in WW1 and this has helped me understand about the kit he had. Thanks.

[@ponyote]

I absolutely love the humanity you get to show us with these videos. And this is a far better answer than Gollum got in the famous duel.

[@SanTM]

Very educational. The Imperial War Museum in London has a breakdown similar to this as well, but seeing it explained live is always better than text

[@keving1318]

You always give such fascinating tidbits of obscure history. Thank you so much for making the past more relatable. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family, friends, and peace.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Kevin and a Merry Christmas to you too

[@arthurdoucette1786]

Greetings once again from nova Scotia, thanks Kevin, I really enjoyed this one. I love how much things have changed, but are still the same. I wanted to say how much I admire the respect you have for those who came before us, the reverence for the every day soldiers, those who served. Blessings, stay warm, be safe and as always best regards, Arthur

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely Arthur, thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@arthurdoucette1786]

@@thehistorysquad thank you Kevin, Merry Christmas to yours as well, all the best in the year to come. Cheers Arthur

[@josephinequinn8782]

My grandfather enlisted aged sixteen in 1916 and fought in the Somme at Mamet's Wood. He probably carried all those items.

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Splendid video, Kevin. The detailed minutiae are what make history come alive. As a former Grunt (squaddie, later a Rupert), these details are very interesting, and they connect with my experiences.)

[@thehistorysquad]

A woooopert indeed 😜 Well said! Isn't it great when we can make history relatable, it's so much more engaging. 👍🏻

[@undeadOtter]

My Good Sir, your dedication abs commitment to your videos is admirable. The length you go to accurately depict the clothes/uniforms is astounding. Please keep it up. Your a great historian

[@thehistorysquad]

Will do, thank you!

[@emoryfindley8702]

Fmr US Army 1980s. When I got home my friends called me “Spoon Boy” - I ate everything quickly with just a spoon. Took a long time to eliminate that habit.My Great Uncle ( I had the honor of meeting at age 7) served in WW1. God bless You for this-

[@thehistorysquad]

I know that feeling. Funny enough in 1980 I had leave from Northern Ireland and I'm around a table in a restaurant with my family and everyone stopped to look at me in horror as I lifted up my plate and shovelled it all in with a spoon

[@emoryfindley8702]

No Matter the Army- We are all “Mates “ after all-

[@Richard-fv7rq]

Like the way you take time to reply and like your viewers comments. So many 'youtubers' do not take the time to do such. Very interesting pieces of history info Kev.

[@thehistorysquad]

It's my pleasure, I see it as part of the job to be honest, though it does take up time, I hope to keep it up as long as I can as the numbers grow.

[@nooneimportant460]

I absolutely adore these kinds of videos. Very simple yet informative. And im so very curious what a soldier during that era would have carried. Being an American airman myself during 99-04, always curious to see what similarities there would have been with a ww1 era soldier vs a more modern soldier Brilliant as always Kevin. You are a real treasure. A gentleman and a scholar. Wish you and your family a happy late Christmas, and a happy new year.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks so much, & a Happy New Year to you too. 👍🏻

[@ironmike2732]

Awesome short history show. I was engaged and enjoyed every minute. Keep them coming!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you! Will do!

[@michaelusmc9322]

Very interesting to see some examples of personal effects. Thank you.

[@groundbanshee]

I really appreciate your history lessons! You add such a personal touch with the interesting tidbits and stories in your videos. I can’t wait to see what you upload next!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you very much!

[@gerardhogan3]

I've always enjoyed your stories Kevin, cheers Gerard and greetings from Australia

[@thehistorysquad]

G'day mate, you'll be having a warmer Christmas than me. Thanks for watching the channel 👍🏻

[@alancartwright2244]

Another great little explanation of how our grandfather's (or great grandfathers) went into battle, in WW1. Thanks!

[@Okiip]

Great video! As a fellow resident of Saskatchewan this one was especially neat to see, keep warm!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks, you too! If you're ever in Saskatoon on a Thursday or a Saturday, drop in and say hello 👍🏻

[@reaperiscomingforme]

@historysquad can you do an episode about your uncle please if it doesn't upset you that is I'm sure we would love to hear what he did and what regiment he was and combat he saw. With respect to you uncle

[@thehistorysquad]

What a lovely idea, I've not thought of doing it but certainly will now. I'll have to see what more information I can glean from my Dad 👍🏻

[@reaperiscomingforme]

@@thehistorysquad thank love your channel sorry I can't support moneys tight cost of living but I subscribe and liked

[@thehistorysquad]

@@reaperiscomingforme We're just super glad to have you aboard and appreciate your sub. Sharing vids is another way that helps the algorithm 👍🏻

[@briancross7835]

Fantastic as always, Kevin! I would love to see a video of what a young Kevin carried in his pockets as a soldier or as a police officer. I'm sure that many of your viewers are former or current law enforcement officers or soldiers (myself included, I retired after 20 years of US Army service). Keep it up, Kev!!! 👍

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Brian. I actually don't have any of my own old kit, police or army, other than my bible, whistle and discharge papers.

[@cheeseman1860]

always a treat to watch these types of videos

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers, thanks for watching.

[@kakarikiIck]

I love the diversity of video subjects on this channel, always a quality watch.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks very much!!

[@owenshale8719]

Another wonderful history squad video lots of wonderful information keep up the amazing work Kevin

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Owens 👍🏻

[@davidstrother496]

It is amazing how so little of what a soldier carried has changed. Of course there is no need for the pay book anymore, but overall things have remained essentially the same. Merry Christmas, and stay warm. Cheers from Texas.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks David, and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours too. 👍🏻

[@vortega472]

"Remember boys, flies spread disease, so keep yours closed". - George Luz Band of Brothers

[@calebswanson462]

Nicely done! i felt memories allmost.😊👍i love your channel the History Squad .Allmost sent me back in time.the Canadians were the most daring warriors.

[@thehistorysquad]

Brilliant, thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@locustsun]

Very interesting! We have learned a lot of warfare since then, and not even the battlefield but logistics and supply side. That spoon would be something you would not want on your calf, easily collecting dirt and such. The dog tags being cardboard are also kind of a sad issue considering how hard it would be to ID from a corpse in a muddy trench. It is interesting how revolutionary the 1900s were across the board.

[@johnhenderson131]

The aluminum dog tags weren’t much better. There’s nothing worse that a soldier KIA whose identity is lost forever.

[@ZvZd]

Kevin, I absolutely adore your channel, keep it up!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks!! Will do. 👍🏻

[@Seldris]

9:01 Nice Strategic Swagger stick placement lol

[@kamilla1960]

Marvellous channel! I was born in Saskatoon. I don't know how we did it, but we would go outside and play in that kind of cold.

[@YewrinePish]

Holy shit, man. This is great! Big ups

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers!

[@patriot5.56]

Thanks Kevin for another great video!!

[@nicthecow1340]

Very interesting film! Saskatoon museum looks pretty nice too!

[@looksgoodonpaper]

Another awesome video, thank you!

[@calicoasting]

Your content is great the variety of information you pass along is much welcomed.....Thanks

[@michaelpage4199]

Truly a great bit of history. I enjoyed watching this

[@uglymolly2138]

Thank you for these, Mr. Hicks!

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

I've seen in WW1 archaeological digs the only way to identify skeletal remains of the falling are Spoons because the soldiers would carve their names , initials or service number on the spoons to stop them from being stolen by their trench mates.

[@edgaraquino2324]

Very interesting, thanks! Had no idea the variety of items a soldier would have on his person...& not counting his field kit, helmet & rifle...subbed...

[@thehistorysquad]

Great, thank you, and thanks for your sub too, it's appreciated.

[@edgaraquino2324]

@@thehistorysquad you are most welcome!

[@marksaint-john3722]

Thanks History Squad for some fine and interesting content.

[@thehistorysquad]

Our pleasure!

[@gloworm6387]

-30d! 🥶 🌬️ 🌨️ Lord have mercy! Fascinating wardrobe. Merry Christmas Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

Same to you! Thanks

[@kingjoe3rd]

great as always kevin

[@frankieblue1945]

That was excellent Sir, thank you for educating us. Your channel is so very informative.

[@passionforlust]

Excellent and most informative video Kevin, cheers!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Dan, glad you liked it.

[@patrickfreeman1250]

Didn't know that about the hankies. You can see the sense in it. Cheers, Kevin.

[@carlmitchell3431]

Wow fantastic as always Kivin my I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and New year.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you Carl, and you too. 👍🏻

[@hemaccabe4292]

Fascinating. Not interested so much in WWI, but you make it so interesting.

[@SolidSnnake]

Love your channel Kevin

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers mate 👍🏻

[@BleedEaglesGreen023]

Your World War 1 kit is in great condition. Thanks for posting the notes up close so I could read them.

[@ryanjardine4206]

My uncle served in the first world war Daniel Laidlaw luckily he is immortalised in a documentary but sadly most weren’t, it’s always interesting seeing these sort of videos as often the soldiers are just viewed as objects that were there and not people with their own lives with pockets full of personal items just like us now.

[@michealgillman7418]

Brilliant Kevin as always. Often wondered what was in all those pockets! It's positively balmy here in the UK, only around -3 at the moment! Regards Mick

[@thehistorysquad]

😜

[@Jellybeat90]

your videos are the best Kevin. thank you for sharing all your knowledge. i am from the netherlands and was on a road trip last summer in northumberland. we visited Alnwick castle (beautifull!) and i saw this person shooting a longbow in the distance. had to get closer to check if it was you.. that would have bin a really big coincedince offcourse. i wish you and yours a merry christmas ♥

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Jellybeat, and a Merry Christmas to you too. I have visited Alnwick, but never worked there 👍🏻

[@shadowsam4208]

I absolutly love these videos!

[@johnhenderson131]

As a veteran medic what shocked me was the number of wounded soldiers in WWI that did not know how to use their issued medical kit correctly. So many wounded poured the iodine directly into their wound (it destroys living tissue)rather than apply it to the bandage then place the bandage over the wound. I can’t imagine trying to fight infection without penicillin, we take antibiotics for granted today but my grandfather was wounded in the back of the neck at the Ypres salient. He survived the wound but nearly dies from infection. He passed away in 1954 before my birth but I was told the wound troubled him the remainder of his life. Hope you enjoyed our balmy Canadian winter, I was born in Manitoba, the prairies, mind you are colder than the other provinces, although I still don’t forgive my parents for immigrating here on certain bitter cold days, when they chose Canada over Australia! Sincerely, Doc

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, I totally understand. After our fourth winter, the novelty has now worn off and I'll be looking for a bit of warmth for the next one 👍🏻

[@MoreofMac]

So interesting. Love these.

[@catfish4729]

Well done thank you for doing what you do people should never forget what people went through back then if it wasn't for people like you everything would all be forgotten about and children need to know everything about wars and what it was all about thank you

[@SteveMikre44]

Thank you Kevin for thus very interesting episode. The Great War is my favorite history topic so I truly enjoyed every minute of the video...

[@thehistorysquad]

Thats great to hear, thanks 👍🏻

[@gilanbarona9814]

Someone I know here in Adelaide, Australia, bought an old book in a 2nd hand bookshop. In it he found a letter that a British soldier wrote to his wife, dated 1917 or so, but was never able to post. He traced the name of the wife on the letter, which also bore a British address. He found the great granddaughter of this couple and sent her the letter. Apparently, the soldier had died before he could send this letter, but how it ended up in South Australia is anyone's guess. If only these things that soldiers kept in their pockets and books could speak up and talk. Thank you again, Sir. This video simply proves an old assertion of mine: all soldiers have more in common than not, no matter what armies they serve with or what eras in history they might have done so.

[@thehistorysquad]

What a lovely story, thanks. I worked at Dudley museum for short time, sadly no longer in existence, where a WW1 bible had been handed in and it had a bullet hole in it, half the bible was blood stained. We traced it to an Australian soldier that had been killed in France. His widow in England remarried after the war and kept his few possessions in a tin under the bed. Her new husband who had been a soldier in WW1 said 'we must keep it for him' but, as time went by, people passed away and the tin was thrown on a dump and found and brought to the museum. I've never forgotten when we handed the tin over to his Australian descendants who travelled half way around the world for the bible with a hole in it.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

I bought a book which had been given as a gift in 1917, with that ornate Edwardian handwriting in the inscription. It was then passed on again in 1943. Also an issue of Union Jack from 1908, advertising an article about the German army in another magazine (probably the Penny Popular). Under the advert, somebody's despairingly scrawled ""last war", shall we ever learn?"

[@thehistoadian]

0:16 I am definitely (surprisingly) missing the -30 weather! Oklahoma is much warmer than the good ol' Canadian prairie. Can't wait to return in a couple years

[@thehistorysquad]

Interesting isn't it, we prefer the dry cold here to the damp miserable cold of England. We get much more sunshine too 👍🏻

[@mapatterson173]

Thank you for another interesting video. Really never thought about the problem with white handkerchiefs. Of course, I always carried brown. I hope you do a Christmas video. No matter your religion, it always seemed the Christmas season was dear to all soldier’s hearts.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Margaret, yes there'll be two out next week, Julie's still to edit them. 👍🏻

[@mapatterson173]

@@thehistorysquad yay. Thank you.

[@bryanferguson4927]

Love this channel.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad to hear it! Thanks 👍🏻

[@gabbagandalf7815]

Thank you for your great Videos :D greetings from germany and have a wonderful christmastime all :D

[@HobbiesHobo]

Always interesting content, glad I found this channel, Seasons greetings Kevin! Mike.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Mike 👍🏻

[@blueneeson9888]

Thanks Kevin For This Brilliant Video From Blue

[@thehistorysquad]

Very welcome

[@murkyseb]

That was very interesting great work

[@legus9684]

Good stuff. It's always interesting to see the little details that sometimes have absolutely nothing to do with the event that era came to be known for. A spoon, an old watch, a picture of some french lady. Who knows what other random stuff these lads would carry with them.

[@petehall889]

I very much enjoyed your film, Kevin. I was not aware of some of the items a chap carried with him. I have a few items of my grandfather's from WW1, including his trench maps brought home with him after being wounded, but it rang a bell when you were talking about identity discs. I have the oval aluminium identity bracelet he wore as a 2nd Lt. in the 1/5 Lincolnshire Regt. So many questions I would ask him now, but I am sensitive to the fact that often survivors of war would rather bury their experiences along with their fallen comrades. Flashbacks are a real bugg**!

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, I forgot to mention the ID bracelet. Did you know they were a private purchase? The men bought them themselves because they knew how flimsy the discs were.

[@petehall889]

@@thehistorysquad Hi Kevin, No, I didn't know they were privately purchased, but I am aware that an officer was required to purchase a number of items of kit himself, including his revolver. My grandfather still had his .455 Mk VI Webley & Scott well after WW2 (he was also Ammunition Officer for his Home Guard section in WW2). He handed it in during a weapons amnesty - surprised the desk sergeant when he popped it on the counter! The identity discs were rather flimsy. I have my father's RAF ones from WW2 and they were still just made from compressed board. The suspension cords were only string too. Wouldn't last too long under wet conditions. I can well understand that some WW1 soldiers would wish to purchase a more substantial identity bracelet. Keep up the good work Kevin - your films are always excellent!

[@thehistorysquad]

@@petehall889 Thanks Pete, appreciated.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

My grandmother used to have a very realstic-looking and heavy Colt 1911 kicking around, she always told me it was "only a cap gun", but now I'm wondering... Also how a Brit would have got one, pretty sure tommies in WW2 still used revolvers.

[@petehall889]

@@worldcomicsreview354 Standard issue in the British Army was a revolver, but approximately 40,000 Colt 1911 and 1911A1 autos were issues after the Dunkirk evacuation, mostly to commandos and airborne troops, as well as the SOE.

[@ronyolo8419]

I subscribed after 10 seconds

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thanks 👍🏻

[@coolexploiter1943]

4:05 Hey great video by the way! Using this as a reference to make my world war one British uniform. I was wondering what the pouch is called (The brown encasing.) I've found the contents (The iodine and first field dressing) but can't seem to find the exterior. Could you please help me? Thank you!

[@thehistorysquad]

If you search on the website Tommy Pack Fillers you should find what you need. 👍

[@tdoran616]

Amazing, would love for you to do a video on the Home Guard “Dads army” during WW2

[@thehistorysquad]

Good idea, I'll add it to my list 👍🏻

[@worldcomicsreview354]

Especially on the haphazard kit issue before production ramped up, expected to fight with sharpened broom handles, and so on!

[@TEXASREDD76]

Very sharp uniform and very insightful to what many Great War soldiers had on them on the daily aside from rifle and kit

[@SHDW-nf2ki]

Of course the officer is indoors during the winter! Keep up the amazing content.

[@peoniesandpetunias61]

Very interesting, thanks!

[@sirwi11iam]

It's -6 here in Blighty and I think that's cold enough 🤣

[@kenattwood8060]

Thanks for another interesting video, Kevin, a lot of that stuff reminds me of just what I used to carry in the pockets of my combat kit back in the seventies... That clasp knife looks remarkably familiar....

[@thehistorysquad]

I had one too, when I was in 👍🏻. What were you in?

[@kenattwood8060]

@@thehistorysquad I was RMP, same as you - and about the same time.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@kenattwood8060 Wow, did our paths ever cross Ken? So many names, so many faces.

[@kenattwood8060]

@@thehistorysquad I went into the regs from the TA (116 Pro Coy) and was on recruit squad 7603 at Chichester.....

[@thehistorysquad]

@@kenattwood8060 Ah, you were just before me then. I was 7606 👍🏻

[@noahculver8936]

I'm an early war german reinactor and boy I use my Gurffle at every meal. Wherever I go, I'm never without my spork. Love your documentaries.

[@tonynapoli5549]

Looking smart Sgt interesting video 👌

[@Hhobby79]

Love your films

[@TankManHeavy]

I'm a simple man, I see a video with Kevin Hicks & The History Squad, and I click it.

[@thehistorysquad]

😄 simple is good 👍🏻

[@lonewolfandcub668]

Great stuff

[@Goodfilmthing]

Nice video.

[@RichardT2112]

Welcome to Canada! Happy Christmas from Vancouver!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you! Same to you!

[@rhondaenglish4022]

I am delving into my history and still so praying all is revealed. Love you. Bye for now. ❤.

[@mattfraser3452]

G'day I collect hat badges WW1 and 2 British and Allied , is the badge on your cap Sherwood Forest ? My Grandfather was a member of The Scottish Artillery / Royal Horse at the battle of the Somme . Thanks for the great insight into his kit , I was given alot of badges by Widows of Servicemen that I treasure and research . I have a pair of ID tags from WW1 and an aluminium one , I was a section gunner in The Royal Australian Regiment peace time 84-90 . ✌️♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇦🇺🥃🥃

[@thehistorysquad]

My cap badge is that of the Royal Warwicks. I have a collection of cap badges too, as you say they're a treasure. 👍🏻

[@mattfraser3452]

@@thehistorysquad thank you , I have a few pre Federation badges but my most treasured badge is The 1/21 Light Horse Regiment that was formed from The New South Wales Rifles which was formed from Australia's first Police Force , and before that they were The Royal Marines that came with Cook on the Endeavour , a short but interesting history of a first world war mounted infantry regiment that is a constant sauce of pride to all Australians . Lest We Forget , thanks to people as yourself . ✌️♥️🇦🇺🦘🥃🥃

[@dudedude1808]

This video was great! :D Any chance you can do a video about a british officers world war 1 uniform? (In Europe and in the middle east).

[@larryselkirk426]

Thank you. My grandfather's brother would have worn a uniform similar to that.

[@dinnerwithfranklin]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stanboyd5820]

how did squaddies keep their woodbines and Swann Vestas dry before there were wee plastic bags?

[@thehistorysquad]

In tins and/or an oil cloth 👍🏻

[@stanboyd5820]

Such as the Queen Mary Christmas tins which originally contained cigarettes and chocolate?

[@kirkmorrison6131]

Wonderful video, the kit doesn't change to much over time. Items are added and dropped but for the most part the basic kit is the same.

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

So sorry -30 for you Kevin, and me in Florida and right now about 70 degrees in Tallahassee! So keep warm... Love how you review what the troops have and hold on to. Having been one myself. Remember on the DMZ Korea 1976, the Platoon Sergeant looks at me and says: "Hey Wolfgang, you are now our "hunter killer" team". So they gave me a 66mm LAW (Light anti Tank Weapon). And their I dug in behind the platoon position. Idea was if the N. Korean T 55 drives up I can take a nice quick shot before it pivot steers me into the soil. But no one said anyone attacking that day, so took my C Rat apart got the coffee, creamer, and cocoa beverage powder made some nice Mocha. You take the brown cardboard sides of the C Rat and the matches, tear them up and then from the coco bev can you cut it into a little stove, put the canteen cup on top and in 5 minutes brewing time its ok! Sipped and enjoyed being 20 years old and a long way from home. In my pockets had that can opener thing and yes the New Testament book of John, you know King James Version which is the only version I read today, lots of yanks like me. We had to all read it cover to cover when we got saved back at the old Baptist Church at Bienville Parish, Louisiana. My Uncle Jesse, made the motion that I be voted in as a member due to my conversion. He was a World War One American and occupation of Germany soldier. So glad it was only Mocha and not bits of me ground around. Just like every soldier another day with Tea or Coffee and a little grub... well you are still alive you sorry mother!!!! That is what it really means, you are young and still alive.. Old now... You get me in the heart. Peace to you in the name of Jesus, yes King James Version!!!

[@thehistorysquad]

Only a soldier knows how eh? God bless to you too. 👍🏻

[@johnspizziri1919]

Hey Kevin- is the swagger stick a descendent of the Centurions club? Just wondering.

[@bobthompson4133]

Officers carried a plain bamboo or leather covered swagger stick. NCO’s had fancier ones with the regiment crest in silver as a decoration.

[@thehistorysquad]

Quite possibly

[@jammyscouser2583]

A notebook entitled "Effects of the dead" was uploaded to New Zealand national archives and in it are hand written lists of the pocket contents of some of the NZers and Aussies who were killed and buried at ANZAC. In my G Grandmas cousins pockets where a handkerchief, two rosaries and some coins

[@PSDuck216]

Nice exploration of a part of the personal side, one we don’t see in movies and shows. That iodine “stick” (or vial) jogged my memory. Amongst my family collection, I have a small first aid kit carried by a corpsman in the Pacific in WW2. Iodine vials are in it. So is one or two tins of “Burn Cream”. I wince just thinking about it. As an aside, Military History Matters Magazine, issue 128, June/July of this year had an article on the Battle of Sluys. Just thought I’d pass the info along. One interesting item I found in the pocket of a 2nd Lieutenant of infantry’s uniform was a Pullman train car ticket. I believe it was from NYC to Cleveland, Ohio. He survived the war and was going home. Cheers!

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, now that's a lovely find, thanks for sharing 👍🏻. At the museum we found a couple of cigarette butts in a WW1 uniform pocket.

[@PSDuck216]

@@thehistorysquad Other items I’ve found inside uniform pockets: American Civil War pounder measure, a lead vial holding at best 1/6th an ounce. Probably used as a powder measure for pistols. Could actually have been used in the American War of Independence or 1812. Several condoms in the pockets of a German sergeant of pioneers. A German beer bottle paper neck label. The brand cannot be discerned by me. And the winner: a German National Lottery ticket, from 1938. Who knows what, if anything, he won. That was in a sergeant of anti-tank (pink piping) troops dress parade tunic. I also have a picture of my cousin from dad’s generation. It shows him with a Japanese soldier he captured on Saipan (I believe). Holiday Cheers!

[@thehistorysquad]

@@PSDuck216 Wow, that's amazing. Did you know the Germans were issued their condoms in WW2, unlike the Brits?

[@PSDuck216]

@@thehistorysquad No, I did not. So, they were private purchases. That old Victorian morality inculcated into the military, wot? Cheers!

[@ThePenguinCorporation]

Amazing, very informative, I have a question about the medal ribbons though and I'm just wondering which medals/era those would be for especially if this is a start of first world war kit.

[@thehistorysquad]

They're Victorian era medals, one is for service in India, the other is the South African medal 👍🏻