Pre war calico uniform?

[T8HANTS]

Below is a pre-war photo of the Isle of Wight Rifles in what I have always understood to be a calico canvas working uniform, although it does not appear to quite the same as the rough working overalls I have seen a couple examples of as used by the regular army..

Could someone give a better correct description of what my lads in the photo are wearing. It is seen in a lot of the pre-war camp photos when they are not on parade.

Ta.. Gareth

[tocemma]

Hi Gareth,

These would be Frocks, Canvas and Trousers, Canvas. pre war and WW1. General issue ceased during the war, but they are still seen being used by certain trades throughout the Great War. 1 suit issued for both home and foreign service pre-war, to all Rank and File except Lance-Serjeants and Artificers.

As they are a TF unit, these suits may be unit purchased which would account for the detail variation (they seem to have shoulder straps)

Regards

Tocemma

[T8HANTS]

Thanks for that, I had missed the detail of the shoulder straps! The Rifles also wore a very fetching version of the modern Beanie hat so there is nothing new.

Gareth

[Joe Sweeney]

Gareth,

These photos are to a Frock and Trouser Canvas. These were issued to HLI men in 1914 (not the same man).

Invariably during this period Canvaes referred to Linen Canvas as these are made from. Buttons were attached via split rings for ease in laundering. The pockets in the trousers are an addition. As issued no pockets.

Joe Sweeney

[T8HANTS]

Hi Joe

Sorry about the delay in saying thanks for the pictures you posted, I must have missed them during the upgrade of the site. Interesting details in the photos, as the Rifles version clearly has shoulder straps. No Pockets where do you keep your beer money!

Gareth

[centurion]

No Pockets where do you keep your beer money!

Best not to speculate on that!Bar men could be wondering why they got paid in warm rolled up ten bob notes

There was a shortage of Khaki uniforms at the begining of the war and many newly raised or expanded units wore blue uniforms (not to be confused with hospital blues) for training only getting the proper ones when they finally left for France. Was this a similar situation?

[T8HANTS]

There was a shortage of Khaki uniforms at the beginning of the war and many newly raised or expanded units wore blue uniforms (not to be confused with hospital blues) for training only getting the proper ones when they finally left for France. Was this a similar situation?

I don't believe so as there are photographs taken from at least three annual camps before the start of the war showing the dress in use for route marches, camp duties, and most less formal moments. This also includes one of my Grandfather during band practice, and he had joined the Navy by late 1913.

There is a published photo in a recent book edited by Richard Holmes which is if IIRC supposedly of the Westminster Rifles, but I believe to be the IW Rifles, and is part of a large series taken at their camp at Yaverland, I.W..

Gareth