What did a WW1 Soldier carry in his pack?

Ever wondered what a WW1 soldier might have carried in his pack?
In this video, Kevin Hicks shows in detail the things a soldier would have carried in his small pack during the First World War.
Saskatoon Museum of Military Artifacts website: smoma.ca
#WW1 #WWI #FirstWorldWar #worldwarone #worldwar1 #historychannel #history
For more WW1 videos check out this playlist..... • World War One
If you like the channel, you can support us through Patreon at / thehistorysquad
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Website: historysquad.ca
Facebook: / historysquad
Twitter: / history_hicks

[@Dagrizzb]

If I didn't know any better, I would be convinced this man was a time traveler because of how well he tells his stories.

[@lifeschool]

I am also convinced of it.

[@thodan467]

Blue box anywhere

[@cleverusername9369]

This is canon

[@YorkistRaven]

Maybe it's not down to a Tardis, but past lives!

[@Dagrizzb]

@@YorkistRaven I said something similar in another video about the spanish armada. The same man bouncing from person to person along the timeline, retires from bouncing and decides to tell us the stories.

[@sonyad4765]

Each piece saved is a tribute to a man who was probably scared to death and possibly sacrificed everything. It is so important to remember them even if we don't know their names. And if they only could know that their spoon, binoculars, sewing kit, etc. continue their story.

[@mr31337]

Kevin, thank you for your service during WW1. 👍

[@thehistorysquad]

🤣

[@YorkistRaven]

I know right? I think he was in it, in another incarnation!

[@davidashton2361]

I think Kevin wasn't born at the time of the 1stew. I was in the army at about the same time as he was and I wasn't born until 1946. 😄

[@davidashton2361]

Stupid auto correct! Should have been 1st WW

[@HootOwl513]

Hi Kevin. My Grandfather was a successful surgeon in Chicago in 1917. He was drafted into the US Army Medical Corps at the rank of Captain and went ''over there'' with the AEF in '18. Even though he was back from the front, he still went deaf from the shelling. He was retained overseas until 1919, with the occupation of Germany. He brought back souvenirs: a pair of non-prismatic Feldglassen, an Iron Cross and a Croix de Guerre, and a 2'' belt buckle .. My Dad said he remembered an Artillery Luger with shoulder stock, but that disappeared during Prohibition or the Depression. [Chicago, yeah?] My Grandfather passed away long before I was born. I would have liked to meet him. He left us a fine collection of classic books.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, how lovely!!

[@als3022]

I love the addition of a game for gambling in the kit. No matter how often the higher ups might try to get rid of gambling in the service throughout time, you will find it happening in any military encampment. Even Roman soldiers carried some dice for unofficial games. Loved the individual items stories that you relayed as well. A trait I learned from my mother to wonder and try to learn the stories of each item. As all items have some story to tell.

[@thodan467]

Next you will say soldier did strong drink

[@als3022]

@@thodan467 Well unfortunately a rum ration for the US military was never as ubiquitous as in the British. Poor poor American soldiers had to make do.

[@thodan467]

@@als3022 I would have preferred the french wine ration

[@frankieblue1945]

My Grandfather, on my Dads side, served with the United States Marine Corps in W.W.I at the Belleau Wood. Today there is not much left of what he had carried into battle but I do have his straight razor, dog tags & Soldiers book. I enjoy, as you say, being the "care taker" of what is left of his days of war. My Father served with the United States Marine Corps in the Korean War & I am the "care taker" of what he left behind during HIS time in war: a complete & full sea bag with gear & uniforms; I even have his M-1 Garand. I served with the United States Marine Corps during Desert Storm & have every little bit of what was issued to me. My Grand Fathers Grand Father also served with the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War; I have nothing that he left behind. I hope that my son will carry on being the "care taker" of what all Three generations of Marines left behind from their time in war. My family members made it back home but, many of their friends did not. Simply possessing these items reminds me daily of the sacrifices made by the generations that came before me just to have the privileges we take for granted today. Like the spoon that you received from that farmer... if that spoon could talk, what experiences would it tell? Thanks for your content, I really enjoy your channel. Ooh Rah!

[@spiritualityjuice]

Godbless you and your family and their service

[@HootOwl513]

Semper Fi, Brother.

[@frankieblue1945]

@@HootOwl513 Ooh rah! Semper Fi, Devil Dog. 223/ 4th Marines/ 0311.

[@HootOwl513]

F.T.H. VMA231, VMAT203, VMA513/6635/5700 [AV8A Harrier Handler /Sqdn TRNG NCO] 12/73- 12/77. Semper Fi -- Do or Die...

[@ColonelBragg]

My family was all either too old or too young for WW1, A fair number fought in the WW2 though.

[@fisherbarry9997]

I always find it so fascinating how almost everything in an army kit has more than one use to conserve weight. Even in medieval armies as well as modern ones, theres so much thought and ingenuity that goes into simple little things like bags and soup bowls. Thanks for the great video!

[@williamjhunter5714]

My great Uncle was in the Canadian Field Artillery, 52nd Battery, 18 pound gun with 6 horses, Artillery gunner. He took the RMS Olympic over, painted in dazzle camouflage in 1916. He got home safe.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, there's a story! 👍🏻

[@ricksmith7631]

You sir! a national treasure unto yourself. So much authenticity in what you present. You show in so much authenticity what it was like to live in whatever timeframe you found yourself in. Your enthusiasm for what you do is the very thing that keeps people coming back for more. This video helps me understand more what my grandfather went through at Vimy. I cant feel anything but awe at what it was truly like and you brought some of that realism back in this video. Thank you so much

[@thehistorysquad]

What a kind thing to say Rick, thank you. If you haven't already seen it, I did a video earlier this year on Vimy kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnjalpqaq7xlaJY

[@jackmunday7602]

I'm really enjoying these ww1 videos Kevin. I've always been fascinated by modern military history. Going back to the last video you did about the angels of Mons and you presented your Lee Enfield with fixed bayonet. I suddenly thought to myself. Imagine being a German soldier in August of 1914. You've been told that this invasion of Belgium will be fairly easy and straightforward, so you're absolutely confident of a quick victory. When suddenly you're confronted by a British Tommy, he's caked in mud, blood and filth. He's barefoot, his feet bloodied and shredded. And yet somehow he's charging towards you. Pure hatred in his eyes, screaming like the God of war, and on top of that he's got a 17 inch peice of Sheffield steel, aimed squarely at your belly. Must of been unnerving.

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh yeah, that's for sure 👍🏻

[@theintellectualsamurai7265]

@@thehistorysquad hi Kevin I’m a new subscriber. Love what your doing , by the way. On the point of modern military history. Do you think you’d be able to do what the German , Italian and Japanese soldiers kit was like in ww2? Happy new year 🎉

[@thehistorysquad]

@@theintellectualsamurai7265 It would be an interesting angle and I'll give it some though, the difficulty being though is getting hold of the kit to demonstrate

[@theintellectualsamurai7265]

@@thehistorysquad of course, I’ve not seen any Italian uniforms and kit shown, though I have seen a guy on KZbin who has a military museum in Arizona, if you were down that way, lol. So do you live in Canada now? How’s Saskatoon compared to Birmingham Kev?

[@boblloyd5480]

My Dad, , bless him. No longer with us would be over the moon to see your videos. Please keep them going, youngsters need to know how it was. Many thanks.

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh bless, thanks Bob, I will do 👍🏻

[@cuebj]

Grandfather had 4 years as private in WW1. Youngest of 13, three of his brothers listed on their village war memorial. They'd been railway gangers for their nearby stretch of rail, but I can't remember the job title. For survivors, there were vacancies to get into better work. Became a policeman in Liverpool after war, rose to Deputy Chief Constable. Reenlisted as Military Police colonel in WW2. Went into France shortly days after D-Day to reestablish civil order. Thanks for this.

[@nor031]

This was a great video. I am originally from Newfoundland Canada. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment was destroyed at Beaumont Hamel, so that spoon could be from a member of that regiment. I also spent 25 years in the Canadian Military as an Infantry soldier in The Royal Canadian Regiment retiring as a Warrant Officer. I really appreciate the dedication you have to highlighting military history from all different eras. Thanks.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Norm. I might do a film one of these days on the Newfoundland Regiment, from what I understand, I had an ancestor wounded at the Somme who was in that regiment, he was either a Major or Captain Hicks, I cant remember which. 👍🏻

[@MichaelWilliams-tv1bm]

Your mention of the food in your pack reminded me that things were very similar 30 years later. In 1947 my Father was serving with The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment in the Sudan, and when sent on patrol in the desert they were given "haversack rations", bully beef and ships biscuits. When opened, the corned beef was more like a thick soup because of the heat, not the most appetizing meals I'm sure.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, priceless. I have first hand experience of this too, and I now have a rule in the house ...... corned beef HAS TO BE kept in the fridge 😜

[@geordiewishart1683]

I love bully beef but prefer now to heat it up a little in the microwave before making a sandwich with it etc! 🇬🇧

[@thehistorysquad]

@@geordiewishart1683 LOL 🤢

[@YorkistRaven]

Gross! 🤣🤢

[@zachv1942]

You can put the Ships biscuit in with the corned beef and rehydrate it. Probably very enjoyable. After sleeping in the rain anything warm and edible taste amazing

[@cliftonaurelius3060]

I love his storytelling. I was so immersed the entire time until I realised the video ended.

[@Tinblitz]

People focus on tactics and grand scale stuff, but the intimate pieces of a soldier's day to day life will always be hugely interesting to me.

[@SeaWarriorSon]

as a collector of WWI material, it’s always nice to see these objects in context and well presented! Excellent stuff!

[@Lassisvulgaris]

I've got a 1913 Luger, made by ERMA (Erfurt). My brother got it during his National Service in 1973, here in Norway. Ended up here during WWII. It has both the Imperial and Nazi eagles stamped on it. On occation, I take to shootings, and it's quite a weapon. Needs lots of oil, though....

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, I imagine it would need lots 👍🏻

[@seanc4907]

I appreciate the insight and reverence you have when sharing these items. We should not forget these men's sacrifices.

[@ykdickybill]

The spoon with the worn edge…………absolutely priceless !!

[@wandapease-gi8yo]

As a child in the early 1950’s I used tooth powder here in the States. I was surprised by the can opener because I was used to the American P38.

[@nightlord531]

Absolutely fascinating! Every item has so many stories to tell, and you tell them brilliantly. The bit about that worn out spoon is so true, it's a shame not everyone can appreciate the incredible history that may be found in the most mundane objects. Wish I had a history teacher even 10% as good as you when I was at school.

[@thehistorysquad]

Gosh, thanks Brandon, I'm glad you enjoyed the vid 👍🏻

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

All the war graves throughout the world and yet there are still so many who are left out on the field, I’m glad you showed us that piece of uniform it really humanizes the conflict. I hope you continue to carry that with you many people need to see it.

[@thehistorysquad]

I will, for sure. 👍🏻

[@bibekjung7404]

#MUST_KNOW LIVING BEING IS OUR RACE, MANKIND IS OUR RELIGION, HINDU,MUSLIM,SIKH,CHRISTAIN, THERE IS NO SEPARATE RELIGION ALMIGHTY GOD KABIR is the father of all souls that JESUS, MOHAMMAD, GURU NANAK, VEDH was telling in BIBLE, QURAN, GURU GRANTHA SAHEB .. In OLD Orthodox Jewish Bible KABIR is mentioned...KABIR means (GREAT or MIGHTY GOD) in hebrew...but when translated in different languages translator removed KABIR word Quran written in arabic has also KABIR word....KABIR means THE GREAT in arabic. In vedh also KABIR is mentioned.... GURU NANAK himself described that LORD KABIR is his Guru and Lord KABIR met him..and in GURU GRANTHA SAHEB Guru Nanak called Lord kabir as kartar (GOD) Just by reading holy books it is impossible to get depth knowledge of Holy text because we are just a living beings.. In vedhas also KABIR is mentioned...our brain isnot capable and doesnot understands the secrets behind the words and world.....JESUS AND MOHAMMAD both were aware of LORD KABIR but later followers were not able to get depth knowledge

[@katthompson3852]

A very dear friend of mine passed in 1988 served in both wars. Egypt and France WWI and Papua New Guinea WWII. He was the sweetest sole. I adopted him as my Grandfather. I have recordings of those days as he told me his stories. He Never went to the ANZAC service or Armistice services. Back then it wasn't as respected as it is now. Too painful I think. He claimed his survival to being the Lewis Machine gunner for WWI and machine gunner for WWII. He had pieces of shrapnel embedded in his skull from the daisy cutter bombs. He was a great artist as well. Still think of him often. Totally enjoyed this Kevin. I remember some of those items at his place. Thank you. :)

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome.

[@TheMilwaukieDan]

My grandfather and his brother fought in WWI. Formed the First Infintry Division And was a Messinger

[@richardhewitt.easyvanlife.6957]

Very interesting,my grandfather was shot and wounded at Passiondale. Went few years later joined the Home Guard. I often asked him about the war but he never talked about it.

[@yannschonfeld5847]

Neither would either of my two grandfathers.

[@airbornesoldier8104]

Hey Kevin , you my friend are a national treasure. My Grandad was wounded three times in WW1 whilst serving with the Royal Artillery . This is a fantastic enlightening vid for future generations to treasure ,and even I remember the bullnose cor they would last for years . Keep up the good work and well done that man 👌🫡

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you so much 👍🏻

[@gm6hgw]

Kevin, thanks for an amazing and informative series of videos. Some years ago, I was involved in running a Scout Troop in Scotland. At one summer camp we gave the lads the sort of food items you have described and asked them to make the food for one day. Jam, crushed biscuits and corned beef cooked together wasn’t to everyone’s liking, but it was food and made the lads appreciate the day-to-day life of WW I trench warfare. I did come across an old sealed tin of “hard tack” many years ago. As you pointed out, as hard as stone. Thanks again.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, love it. Thanks for sharing that story 😂

[@richardsanchez5444]

I'd rather have these historical items than any modern day device. The sheer history tied to them is amazing.

[@busternineshoes]

I noticed the Marksman tapes on your arm. My dad had those. I have most of his stuff but that reminded me that I've not seen them in ages. Another fascinating video again, Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Dale, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@jedmandy9040]

Kevin thank you so much for such an honest history channel. I adore learning what has gone before me. I believe my uncles served at d-day. My father at Cyprus and suez as a para. He refused to tell me much, I think because he had wished that he had known why he was being asked to fight. I think he also didn’t want me to sign up. As most of my family complained about his army stories going on and on. Strangely they can’t remember any of them. I am so pleased to watch someone who does not shirk away from the horror of history, I also have a great deal to thank WWII for. My father was evacuated to Nottinghamshire where he had a great time and learned an enormous amount about wildlife which he did pass on to me along with a great desire to learn. Now I’m nearly 40 and too old and wise to enlist I think he would be happy that I take on the importance of the horrors of war from an educator as great as yourself. I only wish that those who create war were the ones to fight it. Thankfully yours and hopeful for peace.

[@thehistorysquad]

What a kind and lovely comment, thank you. Old men start wars, and young men fight them 😏

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Interesting and informative as always. My grandfather and namesake was a US Army officer in WWI and later served in the Occupation of Germany. He was also gassed in the war.

[@Terabit3]

My great grandfather served during the first world war stateside in logistics. I still have his WWI medal and even his helmet.

[@gilanbarona9814]

I am amazed at how little my forerunners in the services carried so little. In my time, we had 80 pounds of stuff on our backs and then some. The command to drop packs just prior to an assault was always a relief of sorts. Thank you for sharing this, Sir.

[@jimmy12347654]

Every year they just add more and more batteries

[@YorkistRaven]

@@jimmy12347654 🤣 at least the batteries are getting lighter over time 😉

[@marcoengelbracht4141]

Fascinating that it is not far away from what I had in bags in the end of the 80's. Immediately recognized the sewing kit when you took it out 😁. Regarding can openers- I love the german field cutlery which have that as a part of the carrier (incl. the more important bottle opener...)

[@haggis525]

I always carried my own Wenger knife wherever I was... I still do. Old habits, I reckon... it's a little over 40 years old and it is still perfectly serviceable. Has everything you need in a pocket knife. I wasn't a fan of the issued can opener in 1980... I think it was an American design but I'm not sure 🤔

[@TheJCJexe]

Very interesting, WWI is often overlooked and forgotten but it is probably the most horrific war there ever was with the introduction of machine guns, tanks, planes, and chemical warfare.

[@docmach8794]

To collect and hold these articles in such high regard is admirable. Good for you.

[@fc-gc6mx]

Hi, Kevin. I just discovered your channel 40 minutes ago and I really enjoy your videos. I like the way you share your stories, so warm and honest, as if listening to one's own grandpa. Well, I never had any since I was born long after their deaths. So, thank you for being a grandfather figure to me through your stories. Take care.

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely, thank you and welcome to the channel 👍🏻

[@waynedaly1718]

The old Sunlight Soap is still made and used in many Australian households including mine. As are the OXO cubes,still one of the best beef stock cubes ever made. Great vid as always mate

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers! Oxo, that's for sure. They don't sell them in Canada unless you track in down in a Britstore 👍🏻

[@scowler7200]

Wonder if the formula's changed. Stay strange, Australia.

[@waynedaly1718]

@@scowler7200 not sure,I do know like most things it’s gotten smaller. Smell hasn’t changed since I was a boy

[@lextalionis0]

If only the “History” channel did such a good job with, feeling both the sense of the time, retaining the humanity even among the grittiness and providing the “big picture” while being “up close and personal”. You could probably pal around with the lads that were and they would never even suspect you were out of your own time.

[@Mr9Guns]

They packed so light compared to today. We had so much extra crap to carry. Night vision, armor plates, radios, batteries etc. But then again we've got more comfort kit too like Gore-Tex rain gear.

[@mickusable]

Enjoyed this one too Kev, great to see historical pieces surviving for 100+ years 🤘🏹

[@davidstrother496]

Thanks Kevin. I truly enjoy your presentation and teaching style. It is amazing to see how much was in those two little pouches. I too have an original bit of WW1 gear, a pair of hand operated hair clippers that belonged to my grandfather on my Dads side. He served in France with the USMC in WW1. I guess even the field, one must have a proper haircut. Goes along with needing to be clean shaven. Cheers from Texas.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

hair cuts = lice control…lice were an annoying pest that needed controlling so short hair meant nowhere on you to live

[@thehistorysquad]

Excellent David, yes they would have had them to control the lice as Boston said. Lice caused trench fever I believe.

[@ricklacy5116]

My grandfather severed in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He went in in 1915, fortunately he was a signal man and survived 3 1/2 years in the trenches. On Easter Sunday 1918 he was hit in the wrist with shell shrapnel and was allowed to go home. Before that he had a small dose of Mustard Gas and was told it would eventually kill him. He lived until 1943 and passed at the age of 49.

[@simongee8928]

With mugs, the top edge was subsequently rolled as your example appears to be, reducing the likelihood of a burnt mouth. This now almost universal among metal mugs available today and it works.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, it doesn't!! I've burned my lips dozens of times on that thing 🤪

[@simongee8928]

@@thehistorysquad Then you don't learn from experience then - ?

[@scrappydoo7887]

Excellent content as usual 🙂 I'd love to see more about the great war and life in the trenches especially and maybe some about the tunnelers who laid the huge mines. It's definitely a bit morbid but the great war has always fascinated me 👍

[@thehistorysquad]

Hey Scrappy, good to see you here again! Yes, WW1 is definitely a core topic of mine and I will get to all of it eventually. Thanks for tuning in 👍🏻

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@thehistorysquad I'll definitely always be around, I'm really quite happy to have found your channel 👍

[@trollforge]

I have my grandfather's pocket knife from the first World War. That round bit that comes off the back, is not a hoof pick, although you could use it as one if you were careful, it is a Marlin Spike for untying knots. It's a shame they've changed the physical shape of Oxo cubes so they no longer will fit in that tin.

[@mikewalrus4763]

Damned useful for opening tins of milk as well - the Marline spike that is. Nor is it used for untying knots, more for splicing wire rope, another of those things that was poorly designed by people who did not have to use them! The ones on the back of a folding knife often closed whilst in use!

[@trollforge]

@@mikewalrus4763 Yes, I can see where it would open tins of milk quite well, and yes it is used for unlaying rope for splicing, but the main reason they were issued to infantry troops, before being (literally) shipped to the conflict in Europe, was for untying knots, it can even be used for tying knots, for example, the marlinspike hitch. ;)

[@davidbruce5377]

My Dad, was in WW2, with Canadian Infantry - Sicily landing to begin and he often mentioned, the poor food in the British and Canadian camps. He would be welcomed at the US mess lines and there he would pay a dollar for the tin and the feast was on. A barrel of Lucky strikes at the end, was the topper. For the record, he drove fuel trucks and later was given a rifle. His memory of US Bombers flying in formation - was so loud and impressive. Monte Cassino was not far off. Thanks for your channel.

[@yannschonfeld5847]

The second bag I recognized as I got from my maternal grandfather, although born in England in 1895 was an orphan and sent to work on a farm north of Toronto through Barnardo's Homes when he was 11 years old. He was in the artillery with Queens Own Rifles.. I had the bag for a few years but lost it. My other grandfather also English joined the same Toronto regiment as an under aged sniper. He saw much action but spoke little of it to us. Thank you for this look into the daily life of these soldiers.I would love to speak to them again. The horrors of war they did their best to avoid speaking about. My maternal grandfather said it was the screams of the horses and mules hit by enemy shelling. My other grandfather lay in nomanslands for three days.After being shot in the shin, a comrad tried to save him but was in turn shot and fell on him,staunching the bleeding. Three days later, they were about to throw him into a mass grave but someone saw him stilll twitching. That was in1917. They sent him homw. I still have the demob papers for both of my grandfathers. Plus a letter from my grandmothers father who was hit by shrapnel in the head. He then had 50 epiletptic fits a day after the war. The Canadian government said it was a pre war condition. Twenty years later, his lawyer won his case, six months before he died. Such is the honour of war.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow Yann, thanks for sharing your poignant comment here. We have something in common, one of my ancestors was orphaned during WW1 and sent to Canada as a farm boy, he's now buried at Dieppe. Something I've learned, whether it's Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or anywhere for that matter, our common ancestry runs deep 👍🏻

[@yannschonfeld5847]

@@thehistorysquad This is very true. I do recall however, how both of my grandfathers Humprhys and Schofield spoke kindly of "Old Fritz". Once, across the trenches one asked: " I have a brother in Chicago, do you know him? " And on the Canadian side they answered: " No, we're all from Toronto here." On several occasions, protesants on both sides, they sang hymns that were familiar to both sides or on one occasion a warning: "Keep your heads down, we are going to commence shelling tomorrow morning at 6.00". The great disconnect I felt from them was with the people back home, not with the supposed enemy. And finally, before I moved to Brittany I met my future wife's grandfather who was a "Poilu". These were all monoglot Breton speakers who knew no French. Their officers were French. They were used as cannon fodder. Her grand father had a wound in the hand. It was well known that some soldiers raised their hands from the trenches in order to get shot in the hand.So, he never received a war pension due to a "suspicious" wound. Personally, I have always felt a closeness to these soldiers and people of that era but increasingly less so to the more recent generations.

[@kstan1966]

Hi Kevin, This one goes on the list of your videos I’m showing to my History students. It’s truly a wonderful thing to own a piece of history. About 25 years ago I worked with a lady who gave me her uncle’s compass from WW1. It’s one of my most treasured items. Cheers! Kevin

[@thehistorysquad]

Wonderful isn't it 👍🏻 With Remembrance coming up, you might want to look at those videos too, one on the Unknown Soldier and another on why we wear poppies. All the best

[@HarryWHill-GA]

Kevin, The knife you show 4.00 was probably designed for the RN and not the BA. The dark pointy bit you note for removing stones in a horse's hoof is called a marlinspike. It is an aid in rope work, not that the BA would do much of that. OXO cubes are still about and still good. We have them in the kitchen cabinet. As to the can opener, I have my father's P38 can opener from WW2 on my key ring. They were originally issued with K-rations and later C-rations. They were no longer needed when the US military shifted to MREs. Interestingly they are still produced and sold world wide.

[@thehistorysquad]

Great comment Harry, thanks! The knife was a WW1 general service issue to the army & navy to cover all eventualities 👍🏻

[@RevOwOlutionary]

The P38 is really just an amazing little device when compared to its predecessors.

[@philerator]

Hello Kevin, it means a great deal to me to be able to see these videos and especially this one. My maternal grandfather was in the 2nd Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He joined in April 1915. I still have his 'cut-throat' razor. Thanks so much for showing us these things and making these videos.

[@thehistorysquad]

It's my pleasure 👍🏻

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

I don't think the basic gear has changed. Upgraded. Updated. But the basic ideas remain. Thanks for your service. Thanks for your continued outstanding episodes

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure Sharon, thank you 👍🏻

[@TheGroundedAviator]

I'm glad you just tooted that whistle; I'm wearing headphones and one of my few weaknesses are high-pitched sounds! We all have weaknesses as we all feel fear.

[@shellshell942]

I'm from Melbourne and use Oxo beef stock cubes still! My Grandma is 96 and still likes to have a little cup of stock just like you said. Her father and some older brothers were in WW1 and must have brought the tradition home to her and the rest of the family.

[@stevenmorley1639]

Amazing. Talk about Change , Adapt and overcome on the Battlefield, those poor souls.....

[@Daud76]

Very interesting kit and all contents. When my father passed about two years ago, he left a lot of interesting items in his desk. One of them being a Verner's pattern no VIII solid brass compass. According to Wikipedia, it was used by the British troops in 1918 and made by a Swiss clockmaker, Ed Koehn.

[@clairewalters8238]

I have spent many many hours at the War Memorial in Canberra A.C.T but I enjoyed watching this so much. Thank you so much ❤

[@RickandPenny]

Grand Dad showed me how to use a bayonet to open a can. I had a US army spoon that was my spoon when I was growing up. I had it for years. Ate my cereal and eggs with it every morning. We are forgetting. We are less then we were every generation. Then something bad will happen and we will learn the lessons long forgotten. Keep up the videos. God bless.

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

Much love, Shalom ❤️‍🔥

[@embreeja]

My middle name (Alvin) was my father's name, who was named after his 'Uncle Alvin', who was killed in WWI, while flying (as photographer) in an observation biplane during the battles in France. I have his entire trunk. All his letters and cards to my grandmother (obviously, his sister --- who was in her 20's at the time), and some of his personal kit. It has been years since I brought it out, but seeing this video gives me a strong desire to do so. A different world at that time --- better in some ways, simpler for sure. Thank you Kevin for making it all so real for us.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, I hope you do dive in and have a rummage again. Enjoy 👍🏻

[@cr6473]

Love your stories, you do such a great job. Thanks

[@rob20452]

My grandad joined up in 1914 remember him saying vaguely all ways leave one up the spout, that's all he would say really and rather not talk about it as I've grown up I understand why now, God bless those souls from all sides 🙏

[@pistonar]

Wow. That is some treasure. Real personal items and artifacts from the very time. That is not junk. That is an aimazing collection.

[@oceanwanderer8065]

A Bull Nose tin opener was always in a kitchen drawer at my grandparent's bungalow ! It fascinated me as a child, and I would ponder over it. Granddad served in the RWF and was lucky enough to return home to his family. They are long gone now, but thanks to you sir I now know he must have brought it home from the trenches, and it has been passed down to me,along with his army blanket.I will treasure it with renewed reverence,and educate my grandson's with it. Thank you.

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh, how lovely. A great book for you to read about the RWF is Old Soldiers never die, by Frank Richards. 👍🏻

Your channel is underrated and should have more than a million followers. I could watch this all day and feel like I actually learned something. Cheers.

[@thehistorysquad]

Well thank you too, I really appreciate that.

[@kevincostello3856]

Kevin has excellent original kit, wow, most collectors I imagine would love some of these original items. Thank you Kevin as always great content

[@protectandsurvivelivinghis3206]

that thing the copper said to you about at least 80 bodies a year really puts "I died in hell, they called it Passchendaele" quote into perspective.

[@not1not2but3]

“Treasures to me. To others, a piece of junk”it’s amazing what a simple spoon can represent, but also unfortunate that many don’t recognize it.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's for sure 👍🏻

[@danielwhopples3642]

You're an amazing teacher and Historian, I wish I had someone with your passion when I was younger to teach me. Fantastic videos, thank you

[@jackhenry290]

Impressed with the effort put in to these classes.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@MadRS]

Imagine having Kevin Hicks as your history teacher. What an amazing gentlemen and passionate story teller.

[@davesmith7432]

This was a fascinating look inside a soldiers kit. Thanks

[@alanmackinnon3516]

Fantastic video as always.

[@xWhocaresxX]

The unknown soldiers spoon is very powerful. You’re a deep man sir, much respect from the states my friend.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you.

[@spiritofmilwaukee27]

The spoon is definitely a treasure, that is so cool.

[@deputygunner]

Great video Thank you

[@Pigeon66676]

Amazing video!

[@lbcrypto5309]

Great update:) Thank you

[@auntievenom9619]

Excellent video!

[@haggis525]

Oxo! Wow... I've done exactly the same... boil up some water drop in the cube. Lovely on a cold day! Canadian Armed Forces back in the early 80's. Some things just stand the test of time! Of course - I never was a fan of bully beef... thankfully we had better by 1980. Some of the boys still had a can or two along with them as personal items - not too bad when you're very hungry... just douse it with Tabasco! Never leave home without Tabasco! Great video. Thanks!

[@thehistorysquad]

🤣. mine was curry powder

[@johnbest4513]

Truly amazing. Thank you so much for showing us this.

[@averagejones8621]

Great video

[@black_baron25]

Fascinating items! Thank you preserving and sharing them with us. Greetings from a fellow WW1 collector and enthusiast :)

[@lucaslaban4629]

Great stuff! Thankyou Sir

[@Dutch1951x]

Very good video! Thank you!

[@keithsadler5260]

Comfort was not known to those soldiers. Very good history lesson. I can only imagine the times they went through. Keep up the videos.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks, will do 👍🏻

[@lionelsquires7662]

Wonderfully done!!!!

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Thank you for this bit of history

[@davidcoleman2796]

Amazing bit of stuff . Thanks .

[@soggz4246]

Thank you for sharing. Fascinating.

[@michaelamos4651]

Outstanding video. Thanks 👍

[@horatiodreamt]

Good vid. Very informative.

[@crazyguy32100]

Something my family still holds onto is a dented WWI penny, the big one. My great-grandfather had it in his pocket at Ypres, the dent was caused by it catching a chunk of shrapnel. My mothers side of the family owes a lot to that little piece of bronze.

[@BathtubBass]

Thank you so much for showing these things! This is what I love about history the day to day affects of the actual soldier, the human side of the war. I have to this day, a harmonica, passed on from my great grandfather that he apparently took off a German as well, still works too, still in the hand painted box. I see you also have a Royal Lincolnshire badge as well! Thank you for telling the stories of the everyday soldier who was just trying to make it to the next day.

[@britishamerican4321]

Fascinating, thank you!!

[@planes124]

Great video Kevin ❤️🇬🇧

[@MGBranco]

Brilliant work my friend!

[@donnycameron5591]

Right up my street this video, excellent thanx

[@woodratmatt7908]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing

[@ironseabeelost1140]

That spoon is Not junk. Years ago on the coast of Alabama I watched a B-17, a B-24 and a B-25 fly by a bit apart from east to west. I spoke out to those around me. They did not even look over to them. I, however Loved it.