Uniform & Kit issued to the British Army During WW2

UNIFORM & KIT ISSUED TO THE BRITISH ARMY DURING WW2

This pictorial library is devoted to the recording of "Uniform and Kit" issued to a British Soldier of any corps, during the Second World War. Consider it a virtual "Q" Store in British 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.

THIS WEBPAGE IS CONSTANTLY BEING ADDED TO - SO PLEASE VISIT AGAIN

Soap Holder Manufacture Date

Close up image of the manufacture details of the aluminium World War Two Soap Holder. Stamped 'W.S.I' - the soap holder bears the stamping of 1945 and a Government Broad Arrow. It is believed that the other letters and numerals may be patent details, however this is not confirmed. Image courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.

World War Two Soap

A cake of Soap from the Second World War. Manufactured by "W V W & Co." - it bears the script 'PERSEVERANDO - VINCES' as well as the Government Broad Arrow. This item was purchased from England and came in the metal soap holder, which is also listed in this inventory. As it also may have been procured by other dominions within the British Commonwealth, it has been included in the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand kits. Image courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.

S.M.L.E. No.1 Mk.111*

The S.M.L.E. (Short - Magazine Lee-Enfield) rifle equipped the British Army during the Great War, however it was superceded early in the Second World War by the No.4 Lee-Enfield rifle as the front line weapon. Despite this, the No.1 Mk111* saw notable service with the B.E.F (British Expeditionary Force) in France during 1940; as well as North Africa. It was later relegated to Home Guard duties, once stocks of the No.4 were sufficient.

P14 (Rifle, .303 Pattern 1914)

Of British design and manufacture, this weapon is commonly referred to in collector circles - simply as the 'P14'. Developed during the First World War, the rifle was very accurate and had an excellant sighting system. Henceforth, it was often favoured as a 'sniper' rifle. However it never replaced the S.M.L.E. No.1 Mk111 as the principal infantry weapon. It is more commonly known for the fact that it was out-sourced to the U.S.A for manufacture and sent to England under lend lease. It was relegated to the Home Guard and this is where the P14 received it's association as being the rifle of "Dad's Army".

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