UNIFORM & KIT ISSUED TO THE AIF DURING WW2
This pictorial library is devoted to the recording of "Uniform and Kit" issued to an Australian Soldier of any corps, during the Second World War. Consider it a virtual "Q" Store in Australian militaria. It is not exhaustive and will be added to over time. Any reader who wishes to contribute photographs and text will be recognised and credited with such information. I also invite collectors of other nation's militaria to forward content (please see our other countries listed on the drop down menu) - so that a comprehensive list of "Axis" and "Allies" uniform/kit is detailed.
Mark VI Water Bottle with Woollen Cover
A Mark VI Water Bottle with it's khaki woollen cover - prior to fitting. It can be seen here in the photograph, where the neck of the bottle will protrude from the cover. Once fitted, the top flap through which the neck has passed; is then sewn closed by the individual soldier. Often a length of string or light cord, was sewn to the inside of the cover, prior to sealing the woollen flap. The free end of the string was then tied to a metal loop on the top of the cork; preventing the cork from becoming lost or seperated from the bottle whilst in use. Inspection of numerous examples of the woollen cover have led me to believe that the material from which these are made, is consistent with that of the Great Coats made in Australia during the Second World War. I would be interested to hear from other 'collectors' on this point of view. Both the water bottle and the cover displayed in these photos; are in "unissued" condition. An ink stamping of the date '1942' is barely discernable on the upper left portion of the wool. The seam on the outside of the cover would suggest that this particular example is "inside out", however as these particular items were mass produced in their hundreds of thousands; there are often manufacturing errors - so that not all seams correspond for a neat appearance (from a seamstress point of view) when fitted to the bottle. This photo courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.
Sterilizing Outfit for Use With Water Bottles
A Sterilizing Outfit for use with the military issue Water Bottles. This photo courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.
Sterilizing Outfit (contents)
Photograph of two Sterilizing Outfits, side by side:- one of which is displaying the contents. This photo courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.
Sterilizing Instructions for Water Bottles
The instructions on the inside of the steel lid for the Sterilizing Outfit read as follows:- DIRECTIONS FOR USE - FIRST COMPLETELY EMPTY WATER BOTTLE. Place one Sterilizing WHITE tablet in Water Bottle AFTER CRUSHING, then fill the bottle with water. Shake the bottle vigorously to ensure distribution of the sterilizing agent. Wait 30 minutes to enable the chemical to kill the germs. Then add one Thio blue tablet, and again shake the bottle. When the Thio tablet dissolves it removes the taste of the chemical, and the water is fit for use. REMEMBER - Use WHITE tablet first, BLUE Tablet second. If this order is reversed, the water will not be safe to drink. Keep tablets dry in order to protect their strength. Wait at least 30 minutes after adding the WHITE tablet. This photo courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.
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