Forums at Society of the Military Horse

This photo shows a man wearing the "Brodrick cap" or officially known as either the "Cap, Forage, New Pattern" or the "Cap, Forage, Universal" depending on date. This is post Boer War. Nothing to do with RMLI. These were universal issue to the Army from ~1902 until 1905...

A little more on Lanyards. Lanyards of patterns familar in WWI date to 1898 as modified in 1901, but Lanyards for Clasp Knives were a special item of issue for active service abroad at least as far back as 1894. It was only issued for active service for all Corps. Prior to the Boer War there were al...

Pat, From before 1905 to 1914 Clasp knives (w/Marline spike) with lanyards were general issue to just about every mounted soldier. Specifically this included the Household Cavalry, Cavalry of the Line, MMP, RHA, RFA, RGA, RE, ASC, AVC, RFC, and AOC. Infantry received no Clasp Knife issue until late ...

Pat, Use of the word "All" was a bit too extreme but not by much. Whistle lanyards were also worn by a limited number of personnel. The Whistle lanyard was worsted Khaki (LoC11896). Also the Pistol lanyard could be worn again by a limited number of personnel and it too was worsted Khaki (L...

Pat, All the photos of men wearing lanyards over their shoulder's have clasp knives tucked into their breast pockets. It was very much a mounted soldier's piece of kit until clasp knives became more universal in 14/15. I guess it makes sense from an ease of use perspective. In most units standing Or...

Pat, The Lanyard pattern for Clasp knives in 1901 was a renewal of previuos patterns dating into the past century. I believe there were actually 4 patterns sealed (I'll have to reverify)all differing in how they were knotted. In 1901 all patterns were to be of natural flax, unbleached. All colored l...

Pat, The following link will take you to some info I posted on the 14/18 forum concerning Clasp Knives. Clasp Knives were some of those items that changed management/procurement responsibility in the DEOS. In the 1890's resonsibility for Clasp knives changed from QMG Branch 9 "Stores" to Q...

Pat, The vehicle is a "Tracteur Renault 15 Tonnes" (type de Tracteur lourde). It is one a series a similar Heavy Tractors built by French firms. Another almost identical vehicle is a "Tracteur Latil TAR 15 a 4" built by Latil which is distiguishable from the Renault by the louvre...

Pat, The enlistment of Boy soldiers effectively ended with AO 324. However, the Royal Warrant for Pay continued to carry Boy soldier pay scales until 1916. After the 1st Military Service Act was passed it was no longer an issue. The IWMs 17 years reference is the first I've seen this. I have a copy ...

Pat, For Britain in the WWI era its a bit complicated. Enlistment ages: In 1914 the enlistment ages for the Regulars ran from 18 to 35 years. Boy soldiers could be enlisted 14 to 18 years. In 1914 the enlistment ages for Territorials ran from 17 to 35 years. Boy soldiers could be enlisted 14 to 17 y...