Second World War Infantryman

<BODY BGCOLOR="a5a07e" TEXT=#000000 LINK=#26341d VLINK=#563a12> <CENTER> <TABLE WIDTH=400 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR><TD ALIGN="left"> <TABLE WIDTH=180 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR><TD ALIGN="left"><A HREF="../../../index.htm" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="../../../images/hombtn.gif" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=50 WIDTH=50></A></TD> <TD ALIGN="left"><A HREF="../../../index.htm" TARGET="_top"><H5>Back to Main Index</A></TD></TR> </TABLE></TD> <TD ALIGN="right"> <TABLE WIDTH=180 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR><TD ALIGN="right"><A HREF="../../../francais/intro.htm" TARGET="_top"><H5>Version française</A></TD> <TD ALIGN="right"><A HREF="../../../francais/intro.htm" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="../../../images/frabtn.gif" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=50 WIDTH=50></A></TD></TR> </TABLE></TD> </TABLE><HR> </CENTER> <ALIGN="justify"> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>his is a Second World War infantryman. Below are three images of different "layers" of the uniform, along with a description of each item in the uniform.</MENU><BR> <IMG SRC="../../../images/sold2a_1.gif" ALIGN="left"> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>hese are drab wool serge battledress trousers. They were held to the blouse by buttons. A small shell dressing pocket is found on the right front thigh, while on the left thigh is a large cargo patch-type pocket. The cuffs of the trousers were cinched by button tabs, then tucked into boots, with anklet gaiters over them. </MENU> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>he khaki cotton web ankle gaiters shown here are reinforced on the inside with leather patches and are held closed by a pair of straps with buckles. </MENU> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>hese black ammunition boots with plain toe-cap, steel heel plates and hobnailed soles were standard issue with battle dress. </MENU> <BR><BR><BR><IMG SRC="../../../images/sold2a_2.gif" ALIGN="right"> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>he soldier is wearing a battle dress blouse. Battle dress was a new type of combat clothing introduced in 1939 to replace the Service Dress. </MENU> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>he blouse was made of drab wool serge and was of waist length, with a strap closure at the waist. It had two pockets and two shoulder straps, a hidden placket and steel buttons. The collar was khaki and made of cotton as were the wrist and pocket linings. </MENU> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>R</FONT>ectangular cloth patches that were worn on the upper sleeve denoted the soldier's division. Regimental shoulder badges were also worn. </MENU> <BR><BR><BR><BR> <IMG SRC="../../../images/sold2a_3.gif" ALIGN="left"> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>his is a MK II helmet. It is a steel helmet with a rubber liner and a chinstrap made of elasticized cotton. There is first aid shell dressing stuffed under the camouflage netting that covers the helmet. The shell dressing is a long absorbent bandage. It was tucked underneath the netting because it was the most secure place for it; since the helmet was attached to the soldier's head, in the event of the soldier being hit, it would not likely to fall off or be dropped. A fellow soldier could then easily access it to dress the wound.</MENU> <MENU><FONT SIZE=4>T</FONT>he rifle is a Canadian manufactured version of the British Lee-Enfield rifle originally adopted by the Canadian infantry in 1916. This is the Lee-Enfield .303 No. 4 MK I* rifle, produced at Long Branch, Ontario. </MENU> <BR><BR><BR><BR> </ALIGN> <CENTER><HR> <TABLE WIDTH=400 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR><TD ALIGN="left"> <TABLE WIDTH=180 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR><TD ALIGN="left"><A HREF="../../../index.htm" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="../../../images/hombtn.gif" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=50 WIDTH=50></A></TD> <TD ALIGN="left"><A HREF="../../../index.htm" TARGET="_top"><H5>Back to Main Index</A></TD></TR> </TABLE></TD> <TD ALIGN="right"> <TABLE WIDTH=180 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR><TD ALIGN="right"><A HREF="../../../francais/intro.htm" TARGET="_top"><H5>Version française</A></TD> <TD ALIGN="right"><A HREF="../../../francais/intro.htm" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="../../../images/frabtn.gif" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=50 WIDTH=50></A></TD></TR> </TABLE></TD> </TABLE> <HR> <FONT SIZE=1><I>©1996, Musée canadien des civilisations / Canadian Museum of Civilization<BR> </CENTER> </BODY>