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Category: Equipment

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Outfitting a Digger of the Great War
The following information comes from the service record of 4121 Private Francis James Sanderson, 41st Battalion (also served on Gallipoli in 2nd Battalion). Not all the items in the list were issued to Sanderson. This is likely to be due to an infantryman being issued with some different items of kit to a Light Horseman, gunner, driver, stretcher-bearer, etc. The place and time of active service may also have affected what kit was issued e.g. winter on the Western Front compared to summer.

The following is the wording on the top of the form. 

C.M. Form 500 (Q1) – Recording of Clothing, Necessaries and Equipment Issued

The C.M. Form 500 (Q1) is to be made out for every soldier on enlistment. Commanding Officers are responsible that the form is properly kept for every soldier under their Command. It must always accompany the soldier while he is training – in Australia or elsewhere. In case of transfer the form should be sent direct to the soldier’s new C.O., or handed to the Officer taking charge of any party – it must on no account be handed to the soldier; a receipt must be obtained for it from the unit to which the man proceeds.

When the soldier proceeds on active service overseas, clothing, &c., will be reduced to Scale (C) and the necessary withdrawals recorded in coloured ink, an acquittance being signed by the Q.M. in the Receiving issue column. The completed form will then be forwarded to D.A.D.O.S. Headquarters A.I.F. Depots in U.K.

Every issue or withdrawal of clothing, etc., must be recorded, and one of the five authorities for issue stated and certified by a Commissioned Officer. The soldier who receives the articles must also sign an acquittance. Issues should always be up to scale. On “marching out” for active service, Army Form W. 3066 must be made out and pasted in the back of the soldier’s pay book. Further instructions are printed on the containing envelope issued to each Q.M. with these Forms.

The table below is based on Form 500 (Q1) but is a summary and reorganization of the original table, with some columns of (mainly) signatures not included. Note the date of issue – ten days before the Armistice. Many of the items were withdrawn from Private Sanderson beginning 13.11.18 through to his arrival in Australia in 1919, when Private Sanderson handed in his comb, knife, fork and spoon.

Time of issue

Item of clothing, necessaries and equipment issued  

  • Items in Red for Light Horse only

  • MS = Mounted Service

  • DS = Dismounted Service

Scale of issue per man

Number issued to Pte. FJS

1.11.18

Clothing, necessaries, Etc., mounted and dismounted, authorised issue scales - on enlistment

 

Badge, Hat

Bag, Kit, Universal

Boots, Ankle, with Laces

Braces

Brush, Hair

Brush, Shaving

Brush, Tooth

Comb

Drawers

Fork, F.S.

Greatcoat, M.S. or D.S.

Hat, Khaki Felt

Hat, White

Hold-all

Housewife

Jacket, Cardigan

Jacket, Dungaree

Knife, Dinner, F.S.

Razor and Case

Shirts, Flannel

Singlets

Socks, Woollen

Spoon, F.S.

Strap, Chin

Towels

Trousers, Dungaree

Soap

Belts, abdominal

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

2

2

3

1

1

2

2

1

2

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

0

1

1

2

2

3

1

0

2

0

0

0

After one month’s service Badges, Collar

Breeches, Woollen, M.S. or D.S.

Jacket, Service Dress

Laces, Boot

Putties or Leggings

Titles, Australia

2

1

1

1

1

4

2

2

1

1

1

4

Prior to Embarkation and during Training in United Kingdom Bag, Sea Kit

Breeches, Woollen, M.S or D.S.

Jacket, Service Dress

Cap Comforter

Cape, Mackintosh

Covers, Tin, Mess, M.S. or D.S.

Disc, Identity, with Cord

Dressing, Field

Gloves, Woollen

Knife, Clasp & Lanyard

Spurs, Jack, with leather

Tins, Mess, M.S. or D.S.

Bottles, Water

Bandolier, 50 Rounds

Bandolier, 90 Rounds

Belt, Waist, Leather

Carrier, Water bottle

Frogs, Wire Cutter

Haversack, O.S.

Strap, Mess Tin

Strap, Greatcoat

Belt, for web equipment

Braces with buckle

Carriers, Water bottle

Carriers, Entrenching Tool Head

Carriers, Entrenching Tool Halve

Carriers, Cartridge

Frog, Bayonet

Haversack

Pack

Straps, Supporting

Tool, Entrenching, Head

Tool, Entrenching, Halve

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

2

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

0

0

1

1

0

2

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Additional Issues Blanket, General Service

Sheet, Ground, Water Proof

Shirt, Flannel

Iodine Ampoule

Respirator, Service Box

Lanyard

Rifle

Steel helmet

Jerkin

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

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Digger History:  an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces