British Grenade pouches, WW1

[valiant]

Hi Guys,

Is there anyone out there who can help me find reference for the grenade harness worn by British "bombers" in the 1WW, please?

I can find reference from the front, but need to know how they fastened at the rear and were the standard pouches worn underneath?

I have been commissioned to do the mods to MMMs 200mm Lancashire Fusilier figure for a friend and could do with some pics, if they exist!

thanks guys,

Steve

 

[Tommys War]

It's a hard piece of kit to find details about. My understanding is that normal equipment (1908 or 1914 pattern) wasn't worn underneath generally, but WW1 is full of examples where 'anything goes'.

Best reference point is Chris Pollendine who writes the 'Campaign' series for Military Mode Publishing. I've spoken to him in the past on several occasions and have his email address (but on my PC at home). I'll email him tonight and see if he has access to an original piece from either his own collection or someone he knows.

 

[Tony Barton]

Not an easy thing to research , but after a lot of searching for a 1/6th figure I have made , I came up with this.

Basically an eight-Pocket webbing arrangement , with a two-inch neck strap with a sliding buckle , and tape at each end which tied behind the waist :



Another, with the grenade canvas bucket as well :



And some chaps wearing them. I also have pics ( rather poor quality ) showing them worn over full 1908 webbing, so it probably depended on the Regimental orders :



The man on the right is also wearing a smoke hood pouch below it : this looks like late 1915.

I hope that will do the job for you....

 

[Tony Barton]

Cancel that bit about the smoke hood ; on enlargement I think it's his tunic pocket, stuffed with something !

 

[valiant]

Brilliant, thanks guys! You've come up trumps, again!!

Steve

 

[Dan Morton]

Here's some photos of the 11 pocket vest - front and back. Hope they are helpful.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Tony Barton]

Dan , I believe the 11-pocket version is American , and causes a certain amount of confusion among collectors. The British version has ten pockets.