Cost of Uniforms,Etc .

[Ray Horne]

Hello, I was wondering how much it cost the government to kit out 1 soldier.

Uniform

Boots

Gaiters

Socks

Rifles

and all the other ancillary items,that go to kit out a man.

Regards Ray

[olegoofy]

Hi Ray,

I don't know about the Royal Army but I did discover this from an old magazine article that was published in 1917 in the US.

WW1 Uniform and Equipment Cost US Army

December 1917 Scientific American Magazine

Item Qty Total Cost

Overcoat 1 $14.92

Pair Wool Breeches 2 $ 8.90

Wool Service Coat 2 $15.20

Gas mask 1 $12.00

Bed Sack 1 $ .89

Poncho 1 $ 3.55

Steel Helmet 1 $ 3.00

Wool Blanket 3 $18.75

Service Hat 1 $ 1.70

Hat Cord 1 $ .08

Wool Stockings 5 $ 1.50

Tent Pins 5 $ .20

Shelter Tent 1 $ 2.95

Flannel Shirts 2 $ 7.20

Tent Pole 1 $ .26

Trench Tool 1 $ .50

Rifle 1 $19.50

Summer Undershirts 4 $ 1.50

Waist Belt 1 $ .25

Wool Gloves Pair 1 $ .61

Shoes Pair 2 $10.20

Cartridge Belt 1 $ 4.08

Bayonet 1 $ 2.15

Bayonet Scabbard 1 $ 1.13

Identification Tags 4 $ .02

Winter Undershirts 4 $ 4.88

Canvas Leggings 2 $ 1.05

Winter Drawers 3 $ 3.88

Summer Drawers 3 $ 1.50

Extra Pair Shoe Laces 2 $ .05

Cartridges 100 $ 5.00

Eating Utensils Set 1 $ 7.70

Includes

Food

Haversack

Canteen

Canteen Cover

Cup

Knife

Fork

Spoon

Meat Can

First Aid Kit

Pouch

Grand Total $155.10

Looks like that might buy a few pints (or kegs) at the local pub of your choice.

Regards, Bruce

[Ray Horne]

Hi olegoofy,thanks for the reply on this subject.Seems as though the only people to come out of the War smelling of Roses were the suppliers of uniforms and acoutriments that go with them.

Does not look as though anyone this side of the pond,have any answers to my question.

[per ardua per mare per terram]

I attempted to find out what it cost to outfit a battalion:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...showtopic=85318

That's a fascinating list Bruce.

Btw what was the Royal Army?

[kevinrowlinson]

The only listing I have seen is when a man has been tried for desertion. I have a few copies. This is for the start of 1918.

Kevin

[Joe Sweeney]

All prices are published in the Priced Vocabulary of Clothing and Necessaries and a companionj volume on Stores.

All below are current as of Summer 1915-there are many amendments issued later.

You have the honor of adding it all up:

Boots, 12s 3d

braces, 9 1/2d

service cap 1s 6d

identity disc 7s 6d per 1000 and cord 8 3/4d per pound

woollen drawers, 2s 6d

service dress jacket 9s 9d w/titles 1/2d to 1 3/4s per title set

field dressing, 4 3/4d

clasp knife, 1s 3d

puttees, 1s 10d

shirt, 4s 7d

socks, 9d

trousers, 6s 10d

cardigan waistcoat 4s 6d

Cap comforter, 7s 1/2d

Holdall 5s 3/4d

laces, 1/2d

toothbrush, 3 1/2d

razor and case, 8s 1/4d

shaving brush, 3 1/2d

comb, 4d

greatcoat £1 4s with metal shoulder titles, 1/2d to 1 3/4s per title set

housewife [mending kit], 6 1/2d

mess tin 12d and cover, 6 1/2d

socks, 9d

soap ?

towel. 9 1/2d

Knife 4 1/2d

Fork 4 1/2d

Spoons 4d

web equipment 1908 pattern

--Belt medium 2s 1/2d

--Braces 1s 1 1/2d

--Carriers cartridge

----Left 4s 11d

----right 4s 11d

-- entrenching tool carrier----Head 1s 9d helve 5 1/2d

--Water bottle carrier, 1 s 2 d

--frog 7 s

--Haversack 3s

--Packs 4s 6d

--supporting straps 4 1/2d

Water bottle 2s 7d

Entrenching tool head 1s 2d

Entrenching tool helve 4 1/2d

Rifle £3 12s

with oil bottle, 3s 3/4d

pull through 2s 1/2d

and sling, 7d

bayonet 8s 3d

and scabbard, 3s 3d

150 rounds ammunition. £5 3s 5d for 1000rds.

Joe Sweeney

[Ray Horne]

Hi.thanks Joe,for that bit of info, Ray

[Simon R]

We have been here before!