How clever packing helped win WW1

Soldiers who enlisted during WW1 were not permitted to take much in the way of personal belongings with them. Almost every square inch of space in their kit bags and pockets was taken up by items crucial to their survival and duties on the front.
But the average Tommy still found ways of bringing a little bit of home with them on the journey and many found unexpected ways of repurposing their kit for the challenges of trench warfare.
So what exactly was the standard kit they packed for life on the front line? How useful was it and what are some of the unique ways soldier’s personalised their kit?
George Nicholls, a living history expert from the Great War Society, explains all.
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This video includes the following artworks:
A portrait of James Paris Lee by John Horsburgh
Sketches of soldiers in various kit by Jean Berne-Bellecour
Please note that the water bottle featured in this video has a capacity of 2 pints, rather than the 2 litres stated and the Enfield element of the rifle’s name relates to the design of the barrel.
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Thank you to George Nicholls, Ramsey Green, Ben Rufus Green, Owen Powell and The Great War Society for supplying FWW living history actors and research.
Check out The Great War Society here: www.thegreatwa...
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The evolution of War Photography:
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