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The British and Commonwealth armed forces in north-west Europe were issued the old model battledress made of thick wool. Both jacket, also known as battledress blouse, and trousers were made of the same material and same colour. Early in the war the 1937 pattern was issued. The bottom edge of the jacket had button holes to allow the jacket to be attached to the top of the trousers, transforming the uniform into a kind of overall. The waist of the trousers had buttons fitted on the outside to attach to the jacket, and buttons on the inside to attach to braces.
At a later stage the 1940 pattern was developed and issued, made of the same material in the same colour as the 1937 pattern battledress. The main difference between the two patterns was that the buttons to close the jacket front and the breast pockets were hidden behind the wool fabric in the 1937 pattern, while the 1940 pattern had full button holes through which the buttons were visible. A similar difference could be seen with the trousers, and in addition the 1940 pattern had a button fitted to close the right upper leg pouch. The 1940 pattern did not have belt loops fitted, nor did it have the flaps at the bottom of the legs.
The advantage of the battledress was basically that the material gave protection and insulation, the latter in turn was also a disadvantage in warmer climates. Wool itself also gave discomfort when it was directly in contact with the skin; it was known to be very itchy. Another disadvantage was that wool holds water, so when the uniform got wet it became heavy and took days to properly dry out again.
Woollen underwear was also issued; underpants were fitted with loops on the upper front to pass the leather braces attachments through before the braces were buttoned to the battledress trousers. The purpose for this was to allow the wearer, in case of having to relieve himself, to easily take down both trousers and underwear at the same time as well as to pull them up again in one go.
Underneath the jacket a collarless shirt made of a flannel-like wool was worn by ORs and NCOs who would attach a separate detachable collar to wear a woollen knitted necktie.
Ammo boots were worn as footwear; leather ankle high boots with leather heels and soles, and leather laces. The heels were fitted with horseshoe-shaped metal, and a small metal plate under the toes. Under the foot itself thirteen metal studs, so-called hobnails were hammered in. Two basic types of hobnails were used; cone shaped hobnails for rough and mountainous surfaces, flat round types for other surfaces.
Cpls. A. N. Charlton and J. McKenzies wearing the 1940 pattern Battledress.
Basic equipment was made of a thick khaki canvas known as webbing. The end of the trouser legs and the top of the ammo boots were covered by canvas anklets or gaiters. This gave protection as it kept out dirt and critters. A webbing belt was worn over the jacket to which other pieces of equipment could be attached. Shoulder straps were attached to the back of the belt and on the front attached to basic pouches. The entrenching tool and water bottle would be worn on the back. A webbing bayonet frog which had a loop to slide over the belt to be worn on the hip. Two different types of rucksacks were issued; the small pack being used for battle order, to carry only the necessary kit needed for a short period when on the front line, and the large pack for move order to carry all other issued and needed kit.
In different situations all webbing was camouflaged with green blanco, which was compressed green powder to be applied to the webbing with a brush. All brass parts were to be darkened, as nothing was allowed to shine when going into battle. For parade purposes all webbing was to be scrubbed clean and all brass polished.
All unit insignia were to be sewn to both upper sleeves; titles directly under the epaulette, divisional patches four inches (ten centimetres) below the titles, at six inches (fifteen centimetres) below the divisional patches ranks would be sewn if applicable.
In 47 Royal Marine Commando the same basic uniform and equipment was issued, although new and experimental equipment was also tested. Ammo boots were issued with new rubber commando soles, but not issued to every man in the Commando. Before the rubber soles were introduced and tested, the so called ‘can’t follow me boots’ were introduced; a form of netting, which would go over the hobnailed soles to prevent making noise when approaching the enemy.
24-hour rations containing Horlicks tablets, boiled sweets and chocolate paste. (Photo by Gwen Powell)
47 RM Commando shoulder titles.
Rubber soled commando Ammo boots.
1942 pattern Battle Jerkin.
Another thing put up for testing in this Commando was the newly developed battle jerkin; a canvas assault vest with integrated pouches and rucksack to replace the old style webbing equipment.
The advantage of the vest was that it could be dropped more easily opposed to the old style webbing equipment. The wearer would only need to release the two small straps and the whole vest would slide off the back. The battle jerkin was tested by several troops within 47 Royal Marine Commando in the run up to D-Day. Some troops disapproved of the design and Tp Cdrs decided to go back to using the old style webbing equipment. The main reason for disapproving was because the vest closed everything up, resulting in body heat being unable to escape. Other troops who tested the vest had fewer problems with it and their COs decided to go ahead with the use of this design.
Towards the winter of 1944/1945 the men were issued the Airborne Dennison Smock.
Example of Battledress with Battle Jerkin in full Battle Order. (Photo by Ken Cowdery)