Trevor.Davies Posted 18 August , 2011 Share Posted 18 August , 2011 Hello All Apologies in advance if this is an old topic but I notice in many photos and film footage that some Allied soldiers are wearing sleeveless sheepskin coats/jackets. Were they peculiar to specific regiments or countries, were they officially issued ? Any info greatly appreciated Cheers Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksdad Posted 18 August , 2011 Share Posted 18 August , 2011 Hi I think you will find that they were private purchase items, but seem to be mostly condoned by the army. i will try and find where i read that cheers roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 18 August , 2011 Share Posted 18 August , 2011 Might this be the goatskin jackets that were issued in the winter of 1914 and in early 1915? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 18 August , 2011 Share Posted 18 August , 2011 Might this be the goatskin jackets that were issued in the winter of 1914 and in early 1915? I'd guess so. There seem to have been many patterns - some sleeveless jerkins and others full half and three quarter length coats. However sheep skin and fur jackets were still being issued in the winter of 1916 -1917. Some of these were much like the sheepskin jackets in vogue during the 1960s - skin outside fleece inside. Again no standardised pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Evans Posted 18 August , 2011 Share Posted 18 August , 2011 The 1/6th South Staffords were issued with these on 4th and 5th March 1915. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim P Posted 18 August , 2011 Share Posted 18 August , 2011 I understand that their use was a double edged sword as their warmth value was traded off against their attractiveness to fleas and lice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 18 August , 2011 Share Posted 18 August , 2011 I understand that their use was a double edged sword as their warmth value was traded off against their attractiveness to fleas and lice. Given the miserable conditions of those winters I imagine that many soldiers would prefer to itch and scratch rather than shiver and die of hypothermia Moreover not being worn next to the skin they were relatively easy to treat with Keatings powder. All the references I have seen in correspondence from the front approved of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim P Posted 20 August , 2011 Share Posted 20 August , 2011 I agree, I cant see that the warmth would be sacrificed for the lousiness but it would be an irritation (yet another) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black 8 Posted 22 August , 2011 Share Posted 22 August , 2011 The sheepskin coat came in a variety of forms and patterns and was a creditably swift official reaction to the conditions prevailing during the winter of 1914-15 (by which stage the war was supposed to be over!). Issues appear to have continued (sporadically) thereafter. As supplies were sourced from a number of manufacturers there was little uniformity. Lice may have been an issue, but given that the little bleeders like body heat, their presence on the OUTSIDE of a wooly coat would've added little to the presence of existing parasites living in the seams of shirts, SD jackets, undies etc. And on the subject of uniform, I doubt that sheepskin coats would've upped the ante much on itchiness compared to greyback shirts and khaki serge! However, I believe they quickly began to pong when wet - hence the nickname "stinkers"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 25 October , 2014 Share Posted 25 October , 2014 I've resurrected this post after being shown a photograph of soldier clearly from one of the Scottish regiments by virtue of his kilt and bonnet. The photo was apparently taken in Scotland, possibly pre 1914, but this is unconfirmed. The soldier concerned wears what I take to be a goats skin jacket - rather than the more substantial coat you often see. It looks closer fitting and not much more than waist length. Does anyone know if Scottish regiments were being issued with these sort of garments before the war? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bu6512 Posted 26 October , 2014 Share Posted 26 October , 2014 Sorry to hijack your post David but did all units get issued sheepskin coats? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxsapper1915 Posted 26 October , 2014 Share Posted 26 October , 2014 The Manx Service Company, who made up A Coy of the 2nd Cheshires, were issued sheep skins during January/ February 1916 whilst in Salonika, it was even mentioned in a letter from one of the men to his family back home. “We have had a lot of snow here, but it is beginning to disappear here now. It is nice and warm in the day-time, but at about three o’clock it starts getting cold, and we have to put on our sheepskin coats. They are the warmest things I have ever worn in cold weather.” It was also mentioned that they did pong a bit when wet. Baz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 26 October , 2014 Share Posted 26 October , 2014 Sorry to hijack your post David but did all units get issued sheepskin coats? Mark No problem Mark - this is not my thread in the first place. To be honest, I'm still confused about the term 'sheepskin v's Goats skin coat.' The commonly seen 'coat' as per post 5 is a goats skin coat, with it's thick and varying in colour hair. Surely, sheepskin is an altogether different type of close haired texture, and frankly I've never seen anything being worn which fits that sort of description so I do wonder how and where the reference to sheepskin arises? I'm also still unclear about when these sort of winter garments were first made available. The common suggestion is the winter of 1915, but can anyone confirm if they were officially in use pre WW1? David David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bu6512 Posted 26 October , 2014 Share Posted 26 October , 2014 No problem Mark - this is not my thread in the first place. To be honest, I'm still confused about the term 'sheepskin v's Goats skin coat.' The commonly seen 'coat' as per post 5 is a goats skin coat, with it's thick and varying in colour hair. Surely, sheepskin is an altogether different type of close haired texture, and frankly I've never seen anything being worn which fits that sort of description so I do wonder how and where the reference to sheepskin arises? I'm also still unclear about when these sort of winter garments were first made available. The common suggestion is the winter of 1915, but can anyone confirm if they were officially in use pre WW1? David David Have a look at this thread http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=99241 Talks about similar jackets warn in Afghanistan in 1880 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 26 October , 2014 Share Posted 26 October , 2014 Very informative - thanks for high-lighting the thread. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 26 October , 2014 Share Posted 26 October , 2014 I've actually turned up this photo taken during the Crimea campaign in 1854. It apparently shows men of the 47th Regiment keeping warm round a fire and wearing jackets made of goatskin. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 27 October , 2014 Share Posted 27 October , 2014 This is the photo I referred to in post 10. On the reverse is written 'Sgt J Russell Royal Highlander' but no date or location. The same family have another photograph of John Russell who they know was in the RFC in 1917 but his Attestation papers state he had former military service - in the army - presumably the Royal Highlanders? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxsapper1915 Posted 27 October , 2014 Share Posted 27 October , 2014 Saw this on Colourising History face book page. Baz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSM Posted 30 October , 2014 Share Posted 30 October , 2014 Definitely some fashion statements amongst that lot! A small addition to add to the discussion.... Appearing in the “Scale of Clothing and Necessaries for Troops serving in the United Kingdom” of the 4th July 1916, issued at the Training Centre Tidworth (AIF), is a list of additional uniform items for drivers M.T. and the following is an entry! "Mechanical Transport - Drivers of vehicles with internal combustion engines will receive a coat, sheepskin lined, in lieu of drab greatcoat." Have noted similar in other AASC, WW1 documents so it would appear to be a standard item of issued winter kit where applicable. Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 30 October , 2014 Share Posted 30 October , 2014 I believe this is the Sheepskin coat mentioned above Rod. Worn here by an ASC lorry driver. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSM Posted 30 October , 2014 Share Posted 30 October , 2014 Thanks Chris. What a great image. Thanks for sharing. Seeing that the AASC duplicated/obtained such gear through the British supply system I reckon you would be spot on. Our leather peaked caps and stowasser leggings were a major departure from that worn by our English cousins in uniform etc. Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wander70 Posted 19 December , 2014 Share Posted 19 December , 2014 This is a picture of my father (left), William F, Anderson, 290662 1/7th Black Watch, Corporal, driver and buddy. At this stage he was probably still a private but how can you tell hiding under that goat? Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 19 December , 2014 Share Posted 19 December , 2014 Here is a German wearing a complete goat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 20 December , 2014 Share Posted 20 December , 2014 Apologies in advance if this is an old topic but I notice in many photos and film footage that some Allied soldiers are wearing sleeveless sheepskin coats/jackets. Were they peculiar to specific regiments or countries, were they officially issued ? My father as a little boy remembered his father (infantryman, 2nd Bn Royal Sussex Regiment) home on leave wearing a sheepskin coat (may well have been the goatskin coat) seen in photos. So certainly not restricted to specialists. Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelS Posted 20 December , 2014 Share Posted 20 December , 2014 Here is a German wearing a complete goat Just the one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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