Small leather pouches worn by 7th Bedfords. Early 1915.

[Raster Scanning]

For some time I was puzzled by a small leather strap worn from the 2nd button down going to the top pocket of many men in early photos of the 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Then I realised I had the answer in my own collection. The pouch with button attachment was part of the meagre items returned to the family of Pte Goodege of the battalion after he died of wounds. In one picture the strap is being worn outside the jacket and the strap end appears identical. Unusual piece but I think this to be the answer. 

Edited 4 November , 2022 by Raster Scanning

[FROGSMILE]

For SNCOs, as in this case, they are more likely to be the infantry whistle, which in instructions I’ve seen in the past were to be kept in top right pocket.  Sergeants of artillery the same pocket, but an escargot Thunderer type whistle. The whistle was issued with and secured by a leather fob.  See: 

1.https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/271110-trench-whistle/page/3/#comment-3001206

2.https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/191000-broad-arrow-stamps-on-whistles/#comment-3155840

 

 

Edited 4 November , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[Raster Scanning]

Thanks

Well I was happy with the theory while it lasted. I have however tried the strap on one of my uniforms and it is a perfect fit for button and reaches the pocket perfectly. So I am  happy that Goodege at least wore it this way.

I do however agree that your suggestion is the most likely for the examples I provided.

[FROGSMILE]

9 minutes ago, Raster Scanning said:

Thanks

Well I was happy with the theory while it lasted. I have however tried the strap on one of my uniforms and it is a perfect fit for button and reaches the pocket perfectly. So I am  happy that Goodege at least wore it this way.

I do however agree that your suggestion is the most likely for the examples I provided.

I’m sure that some men did their own thing, and the whistle was specifically issued to SNCOs.  If you look at the 1st link you will see the length of the fob issued, which was designed to reach the button.

NB.  The infantry whistles were to give signals to men in battlefield conditions where the sound, if repeated, might carry above the noise of battle.  In trenches they were commonly used as an over-the-top signal passed down the line. 

Edited 4 November , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[MrEd]

1 hour ago, Raster Scanning said:

For some time I was puzzled by a small leather strap worn from the 2nd button down going to the top pocket of many men in early photos of the 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Then I realised I had the answer in my own collection. The pouch with button attachment was part of the meagre items returned to the family of Pte Goodege of the battalion after he died of wounds. In one picture the strap is being worn outside the jacket and the strap end appears identical. Unusual piece but I think this to be the answer. 

Do you have more photos of the pouch? It may be an unofficial thing to that unit? Maybe that can be worked out from the construction and appearance etc? I am also intrigued about what appear to be a row of loops along the top

 

is there any photos of that unit that aren’t sergeant with the same leather tab?

[Raster Scanning]

Thanks MrEd.

I am not home at the moment as I work in Kazakhstan. The loops are an odd arrangement that allows access to the inside without having a flap to open. You need to feed things in and our between them. Rather complicated and inconvenient. I will get some pictures as soon as I am home. I am also trying to see if I have any pictures with non NCO's. However Frogsmile is clearly correct regarding the NCO's. I found this one of the back. 

Edited 5 November , 2022 by Raster Scanning

[MrEd]

Huh that’s interesting, strange kind of closure. Looks nice sewn and made, but I am

I am unsure what it’s actual purpose would be though?