What did a WW1 Soldier carry in his pack?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 มิ.ย. 2024
- Ever wondered what a WW1 soldier might have carried in his pack?
In this video, Kevin Hicks shows in detail the things a soldier would have carried in his small pack during the First World War.
Saskatoon Museum of Military Artifacts website: smoma.ca
#WW1 #WWI #FirstWorldWar #worldwarone #worldwar1 #historychannel #history
For more WW1 videos check out this playlist..... • World War One
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If I didn't know any better, I would be convinced this man was a time traveler because of how well he tells his stories.
I am also convinced of it.
Blue box anywhere
This is canon
Maybe it's not down to a Tardis, but past lives!
@@YorkistRaven I said something similar in another video about the spanish armada.
The same man bouncing from person to person along the timeline, retires from bouncing and decides to tell us the stories.
Each piece saved is a tribute to a man who was probably scared to death and possibly sacrificed everything. It is so important to remember them even if we don't know their names. And if they only could know that their spoon, binoculars, sewing kit, etc. continue their story.
Hi Kevin. My Grandfather was a successful surgeon in Chicago in 1917. He was drafted into the US Army Medical Corps at the rank of Captain and went ''over there'' with the AEF in '18. Even though he was back from the front, he still went deaf from the shelling. He was retained overseas until 1919, with the occupation of Germany. He brought back souvenirs: a pair of non-prismatic Feldglassen, an Iron Cross and a Croix de Guerre, and a 2'' belt buckle .. My Dad said he remembered an Artillery Luger with shoulder stock, but that disappeared during Prohibition or the Depression. [Chicago, yeah?]
My Grandfather passed away long before I was born. I would have liked to meet him. He left us a fine collection of classic books.
Wow, how lovely!!
Kevin, thank you for your service during WW1. 👍
🤣
I know right? I think he was in it, in another incarnation!
I think Kevin wasn't born at the time of the 1stew.
I was in the army at about the same time as he was and I wasn't born until 1946. 😄
Stupid auto correct! Should have been 1st WW
You sir! a national treasure unto yourself. So much authenticity in what you present. You show in so much authenticity what it was like to live in whatever timeframe you found yourself in. Your enthusiasm for what you do is the very thing that keeps people coming back for more. This video helps me understand more what my grandfather went through at Vimy. I cant feel anything but awe at what it was truly like and you brought some of that realism back in this video. Thank you so much
What a kind thing to say Rick, thank you.
If you haven't already seen it, I did a video earlier this year on Vimy th-cam.com/video/dGwegdvW224/w-d-xo.html
My Grandfather, on my Dads side, served with the United States Marine Corps in W.W.I at the Belleau Wood. Today there is not much left of what he had carried into battle but I do have his straight razor, dog tags & Soldiers book. I enjoy, as you say, being the "care taker" of what is left of his days of war. My Father served with the United States Marine Corps in the Korean War & I am the "care taker" of what he left behind during HIS time in war: a complete & full sea bag with gear & uniforms; I even have his M-1 Garand. I served with the United States Marine Corps during Desert Storm & have every little bit of what was issued to me. My Grand Fathers Grand Father also served with the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War; I have nothing that he left behind. I hope that my son will carry on being the "care taker" of what all Three generations of Marines left behind from their time in war. My family members made it back home but, many of their friends did not. Simply possessing these items reminds me daily of the sacrifices made by the generations that came before me just to have the privileges we take for granted today. Like the spoon that you received from that farmer... if that spoon could talk, what experiences would it tell? Thanks for your content, I really enjoy your channel. Ooh Rah!
Godbless you and your family and their service
Semper Fi, Brother.
@@HootOwl513 Ooh rah! Semper Fi, Devil Dog. 223/ 4th Marines/ 0311.
F.T.H. VMA231, VMAT203, VMA513/6635/5700 [AV8A Harrier Handler /Sqdn TRNG NCO] 12/73- 12/77. Semper Fi -- Do or Die...
My family was all either too old or too young for WW1, A fair number fought in the WW2 though.
I love the addition of a game for gambling in the kit. No matter how often the higher ups might try to get rid of gambling in the service throughout time, you will find it happening in any military encampment. Even Roman soldiers carried some dice for unofficial games.
Loved the individual items stories that you relayed as well. A trait I learned from my mother to wonder and try to learn the stories of each item. As all items have some story to tell.
Next you will say soldier did strong drink
@@thodan467 Well unfortunately a rum ration for the US military was never as ubiquitous as in the British. Poor poor American soldiers had to make do.
@@als3022
I would have preferred the french wine ration
I'm really enjoying these ww1 videos Kevin. I've always been fascinated by modern military history.
Going back to the last video you did about the angels of Mons and you presented your Lee Enfield with fixed bayonet. I suddenly thought to myself. Imagine being a German soldier in August of 1914. You've been told that this invasion of Belgium will be fairly easy and straightforward, so you're absolutely confident of a quick victory.
When suddenly you're confronted by a British Tommy, he's caked in mud, blood and filth. He's barefoot, his feet bloodied and shredded. And yet somehow he's charging towards you. Pure hatred in his eyes, screaming like the God of war, and on top of that he's got a 17 inch peice of Sheffield steel, aimed squarely at your belly. Must of been unnerving.
Oh yeah, that's for sure 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad hi Kevin I’m a new subscriber. Love what your doing , by the way.
On the point of modern military history.
Do you think you’d be able to do what the German , Italian and Japanese soldiers kit was like in ww2?
Happy new year 🎉
@@theintellectualsamurai7265 It would be an interesting angle and I'll give it some though, the difficulty being though is getting hold of the kit to demonstrate
@@thehistorysquad of course, I’ve not seen any Italian uniforms and kit shown, though I have seen a guy on TH-cam who has a military museum in Arizona, if you were down that way, lol.
So do you live in Canada now?
How’s Saskatoon compared to Birmingham Kev?
I appreciate the insight and reverence you have when sharing these items. We should not forget these men's sacrifices.
This was a great video. I am originally from Newfoundland Canada. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment was destroyed at Beaumont Hamel, so that spoon could be from a member of that regiment. I also spent 25 years in the Canadian Military as an Infantry soldier in The Royal Canadian Regiment retiring as a Warrant Officer. I really appreciate the dedication you have to highlighting military history from all different eras. Thanks.
Thanks Norm. I might do a film one of these days on the Newfoundland Regiment, from what I understand, I had an ancestor wounded at the Somme who was in that regiment, he was either a Major or Captain Hicks, I cant remember which. 👍🏻
I always find it so fascinating how almost everything in an army kit has more than one use to conserve weight. Even in medieval armies as well as modern ones, theres so much thought and ingenuity that goes into simple little things like bags and soup bowls. Thanks for the great video!
Absolutely fascinating! Every item has so many stories to tell, and you tell them brilliantly. The bit about that worn out spoon is so true, it's a shame not everyone can appreciate the incredible history that may be found in the most mundane objects. Wish I had a history teacher even 10% as good as you when I was at school.
Gosh, thanks Brandon, I'm glad you enjoyed the vid 👍🏻
as a collector of WWI material, it’s always nice to see these objects in context and well presented! Excellent stuff!
I've got a 1913 Luger, made by ERMA (Erfurt). My brother got it during his National Service in 1973, here in Norway. Ended up here during WWII. It has both the Imperial and Nazi eagles stamped on it. On occation, I take to shootings, and it's quite a weapon. Needs lots of oil, though....
Yes, I imagine it would need lots 👍🏻
All the war graves throughout the world and yet there are still so many who are left out on the field, I’m glad you showed us that piece of uniform it really humanizes the conflict. I hope you continue to carry that with you many people need to see it.
I will, for sure. 👍🏻
#MUST_KNOW
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ALMIGHTY GOD KABIR is the father of all souls that JESUS, MOHAMMAD, GURU NANAK, VEDH was telling in BIBLE, QURAN, GURU GRANTHA SAHEB
.. In OLD Orthodox Jewish Bible KABIR is mentioned...KABIR means (GREAT or MIGHTY GOD) in hebrew...but when translated in different languages translator removed KABIR word
Quran written in arabic has also KABIR word....KABIR means THE GREAT in arabic.
In vedh also KABIR is mentioned....
GURU NANAK himself described that LORD KABIR is his Guru and Lord KABIR met him..and in GURU GRANTHA SAHEB Guru Nanak called Lord kabir as kartar (GOD)
Just by reading holy books it is impossible to get depth knowledge of Holy text because we are just a living beings.. In vedhas also KABIR is mentioned...our brain isnot capable and doesnot understands the secrets behind the words and world.....JESUS AND MOHAMMAD both were aware of LORD KABIR but later followers were not able to get depth knowledge
Hey Kevin , you my friend are a national treasure. My Grandad was wounded three times in WW1 whilst serving with the Royal Artillery . This is a fantastic enlightening vid for future generations to treasure ,and even I remember the bullnose cor they would last for years . Keep up the good work and well done that man 👌🫡
Thank you so much 👍🏻
Kevin thank you so much for such an honest history channel. I adore learning what has gone before me. I believe my uncles served at d-day. My father at Cyprus and suez as a para. He refused to tell me much, I think because he had wished that he had known why he was being asked to fight. I think he also didn’t want me to sign up. As most of my family complained about his army stories going on and on. Strangely they can’t remember any of them. I am so pleased to watch someone who does not shirk away from the horror of history, I also have a great deal to thank WWII for. My father was evacuated to Nottinghamshire where he had a great time and learned an enormous amount about wildlife which he did pass on to me along with a great desire to learn. Now I’m nearly 40 and too old and wise to enlist I think he would be happy that I take on the importance of the horrors of war from an educator as great as yourself. I only wish that those who create war were the ones to fight it. Thankfully yours and hopeful for peace.
What a kind and lovely comment, thank you.
Old men start wars, and young men fight them 😏
I noticed the Marksman tapes on your arm. My dad had those. I have most of his stuff but that reminded me that I've not seen them in ages. Another fascinating video again, Kevin.
Cheers Dale, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
Your mention of the food in your pack reminded me that things were very similar 30 years later. In 1947 my Father was serving with The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment in the Sudan, and when sent on patrol in the desert they were given "haversack rations", bully beef and ships biscuits. When opened, the corned beef was more like a thick soup because of the heat, not the most appetizing meals I'm sure.
Haha, priceless. I have first hand experience of this too, and I now have a rule in the house ...... corned beef HAS TO BE kept in the fridge 😜
I love bully beef but prefer now to heat it up a little in the microwave before making a sandwich with it etc! 🇬🇧
@@geordiewishart1683 LOL 🤢
Gross! 🤣🤢
You can put the Ships biscuit in with the corned beef and rehydrate it. Probably very enjoyable. After sleeping in the rain anything warm and edible taste amazing
My great Uncle was in the Canadian Field Artillery, 52nd Battery, 18 pound gun with 6 horses, Artillery gunner. He took the RMS Olympic over, painted in dazzle camouflage in 1916. He got home safe.
Wow, there's a story! 👍🏻
I'm from Melbourne and use Oxo beef stock cubes still! My Grandma is 96 and still likes to have a little cup of stock just like you said. Her father and some older brothers were in WW1 and must have brought the tradition home to her and the rest of the family.
Hi, Kevin. I just discovered your channel 40 minutes ago and I really enjoy your videos. I like the way you share your stories, so warm and honest, as if listening to one's own grandpa. Well, I never had any since I was born long after their deaths. So, thank you for being a grandfather figure to me through your stories. Take care.
How lovely, thank you and welcome to the channel 👍🏻
Enjoyed this one too Kev, great to see historical pieces surviving for 100+ years 🤘🏹
Fascinating that it is not far away from what I had in bags in the end of the 80's. Immediately recognized the sewing kit when you took it out 😁.
Regarding can openers- I love the german field cutlery which have that as a part of the carrier (incl. the more important bottle opener...)
I always carried my own Wenger knife wherever I was... I still do. Old habits, I reckon... it's a little over 40 years old and it is still perfectly serviceable. Has everything you need in a pocket knife. I wasn't a fan of the issued can opener in 1980... I think it was an American design but I'm not sure 🤔
A very dear friend of mine passed in 1988 served in both wars. Egypt and France WWI and Papua New Guinea WWII. He was the sweetest sole. I adopted him as my Grandfather. I have recordings of those days as he told me his stories. He Never went to the ANZAC service or Armistice services. Back then it wasn't as respected as it is now. Too painful I think. He claimed his survival to being the Lewis Machine gunner for WWI and machine gunner for WWII. He had pieces of shrapnel embedded in his skull from the daisy cutter bombs. He was a great artist as well. Still think of him often. Totally enjoyed this Kevin. I remember some of those items at his place. Thank you. :)
You're welcome.
I am amazed at how little my forerunners in the services carried so little. In my time, we had 80 pounds of stuff on our backs and then some. The command to drop packs just prior to an assault was always a relief of sorts. Thank you for sharing this, Sir.
Every year they just add more and more batteries
@@jimmy12347654 🤣 at least the batteries are getting lighter over time 😉
Very interesting,my grandfather was shot and wounded at Passiondale. Went few years later joined the Home Guard. I often asked him about the war but he never talked about it.
Neither would either of my two grandfathers.
Great video Thank you
Great update:) Thank you
The old Sunlight Soap is still made and used in many Australian households including mine. As are the OXO cubes,still one of the best beef stock cubes ever made. Great vid as always mate
Cheers!
Oxo, that's for sure. They don't sell them in Canada unless you track in down in a Britstore 👍🏻
Wonder if the formula's changed. Stay strange, Australia.
@@scowler7200 not sure,I do know like most things it’s gotten smaller. Smell hasn’t changed since I was a boy
Hi Kevin,
This one goes on the list of your videos I’m showing to my History students. It’s truly a wonderful thing to own a piece of history. About 25 years ago I worked with a lady who gave me her uncle’s compass from WW1. It’s one of my most treasured items.
Cheers! Kevin
Wonderful isn't it 👍🏻
With Remembrance coming up, you might want to look at those videos too, one on the Unknown Soldier and another on why we wear poppies. All the best
Great stuff! Thankyou Sir
Excellent video!
Thanks Kevin. I truly enjoy your presentation and teaching style. It is amazing to see how much was in those two little pouches. I too have an original bit of WW1 gear, a pair of hand operated hair clippers that belonged to my grandfather on my Dads side. He served in France with the USMC in WW1. I guess even the field, one must have a proper haircut. Goes along with needing to be clean shaven. Cheers from Texas.
hair cuts = lice control…lice were an annoying pest that needed controlling so short hair meant nowhere on you to live
Excellent David, yes they would have had them to control the lice as Boston said. Lice caused trench fever I believe.
Excellent content as usual 🙂
I'd love to see more about the great war and life in the trenches especially and maybe some about the tunnelers who laid the huge mines.
It's definitely a bit morbid but the great war has always fascinated me 👍
Hey Scrappy, good to see you here again! Yes, WW1 is definitely a core topic of mine and I will get to all of it eventually. Thanks for tuning in 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad I'll definitely always be around, I'm really quite happy to have found your channel 👍
Outstanding video. Thanks 👍
Very good video! Thank you!
I have my grandfather's pocket knife from the first World War. That round bit that comes off the back, is not a hoof pick, although you could use it as one if you were careful, it is a Marlin Spike for untying knots. It's a shame they've changed the physical shape of Oxo cubes so they no longer will fit in that tin.
Damned useful for opening tins of milk as well - the Marline spike that is. Nor is it used for untying knots, more for splicing wire rope, another of those things that was poorly designed by people who did not have to use them! The ones on the back of a folding knife often closed whilst in use!
@@mikewalrus4763 Yes, I can see where it would open tins of milk quite well, and yes it is used for unlaying rope for splicing, but the main reason they were issued to infantry troops, before being (literally) shipped to the conflict in Europe, was for untying knots, it can even be used for tying knots, for example, the marlinspike hitch. ;)
Kevin, The knife you show 4.00 was probably designed for the RN and not the BA. The dark pointy bit you note for removing stones in a horse's hoof is called a marlinspike. It is an aid in rope work, not that the BA would do much of that.
OXO cubes are still about and still good. We have them in the kitchen cabinet.
As to the can opener, I have my father's P38 can opener from WW2 on my key ring. They were originally issued with K-rations and later C-rations. They were no longer needed when the US military shifted to MREs. Interestingly they are still produced and sold world wide.
Great comment Harry, thanks! The knife was a WW1 general service issue to the army & navy to cover all eventualities 👍🏻
The P38 is really just an amazing little device when compared to its predecessors.
Great video Kevin ❤️🇬🇧
Fantastic video as always.
Thank you for this bit of history
Brilliant work my friend!
Thank you for sharing.
Fascinating.
Truly amazing. Thank you so much for showing us this.
Wonderfully done!!!!
I love his storytelling. I was so immersed the entire time until I realised the video ended.
Thanks for sharing 👌very interesting
Right up my street this video, excellent thanx
Amazing bit of stuff . Thanks .
Very interesting, thank you for sharing
What a great explanation! Thank you history squad :)
Brilliant 👏 👏 love the video! You do great work keeping the "History " alive! Hats off to ya cheers!!
Fantastic and very informative.
thank you for making this film .
Great job Kevin, thanks for sharing 😊👍
Grandfather had 4 years as private in WW1. Youngest of 13, three of his brothers listed on their village war memorial. They'd been railway gangers for their nearby stretch of rail, but I can't remember the job title.
For survivors, there were vacancies to get into better work. Became a policeman in Liverpool after war, rose to Deputy Chief Constable. Reenlisted as Military Police colonel in WW2. Went into France shortly days after D-Day to reestablish civil order. Thanks for this.
Excellent and informative video 👍
Thank you and have a great week.
This is incredible, so much information. Thank you .
Respectfully done. Thanks.
Fascinating, thank you!!
I love these videos. Very entertaining.
Absolutely facinating thank you
Thank you for sharing this snapshot of history
Thank You Sgt... fascinating items from WW1..
Love your stories, you do such a great job. Thanks
Fascinating!! History alive.
Good vid. Very informative.
Another great story from history. Thanks for sharing Kevin!
Kevin, thanks for an amazing and informative series of videos.
Some years ago, I was involved in running a Scout Troop in Scotland. At one summer camp we gave the lads the sort of food items you have described and asked them to make the food for one day. Jam, crushed biscuits and corned beef cooked together wasn’t to everyone’s liking, but it was food and made the lads appreciate the day-to-day life of WW I trench warfare.
I did come across an old sealed tin of “hard tack” many years ago. As you pointed out, as hard as stone.
Thanks again.
Haha, love it. Thanks for sharing that story 😂
The spoon with the worn edge…………absolutely priceless !!
Thank you Sarge. Wonderfully told. Please keep up the great work.
yet again, thank you kevin
Another great video. Thanks kev
No problem 👍
Thank you for this great video,
My pleasure!
Your channel is underrated and should have more than a million followers. I could watch this all day and feel like I actually learned something. Cheers.
Well thank you too, I really appreciate that.
Sir, thank you for your service. I really appreciate this video. Nicely done!
Cheers for all your videos - always really interesting,. Thank you :)
My pleasure!
I love watching your videos! The history and knowledgeable description of the subject is always interesting. ❤
Very informative. Thank you.
No worries 👍🏻
Very interesting enjoyed your video. Living history.
Love the channel Kevin, best wishes fella x
Cheers Matt 👍🏻
Your such an interesting guy Kevin, really enjoying your interesting videos,and an eye opener into the history of our nation and others.
Thank you.
I believe that WW1 British soldier is better supplied than 2022 Russian soldier.
I think I'd agree with you.
@@thehistorysquad
Dear mr. Hicks, would you be so kindly to think on a video about the origin of "Tommy Atkins" or "Tommy" nickname for the British or Imperial/Commonwealth soldiers, kinda of equivalent of "G.I." 's nickname for an infantryman/military southern to you?
I've learned about it from Sir Terry Pratchett's "Johnny and the Bomb" novel but later heard it was originated from an British grenadier's name that fought in the Carribean in 17th (18th?) century.
Thank you!
I was thinking the same.
Well for the most part the Tommies weren’t moving about as much. We might be having a poor opinion of Ivan but I don’t think they suffered the casualties of Ypres, the Somme or passchendaele
Exactly my thoughts!
Brilliant as always, thanks very much!
My pleasure Kit!
Absolutely fascinating Kevin, amazing how many things they carried but virtually all essential.
Thank you very much, very interesting!
Love your content Kevin. Keep teaching us please. Thank you.
You got it!
that was brilliantly presented thank you
You're very welcome
My Dad, , bless him. No longer with us would be over the moon to see your videos. Please keep them going, youngsters need to know how it was. Many thanks.
Oh bless, thanks Bob, I will do 👍🏻
Kevin, very informative. Those unique items are “ treasure “ ! 👍 Thank you !
Love your passion. You were very excited by every piece you showed us :)
I was, I love sharing it 👍🏻
Great video as usual !!.
Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
amazing just how many things that would hold. As always enjoyed your little story and thanks
I really enjoyed this one. Well told, thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
Another fabulous video Kevin, love your work, thanks and cheers....
You're welcome 👍🏻
Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for sharing all this. I love that spoon.
Another amazing video from the History Squad
Our pleasure Richard 👍🏻
I love all the history you have in your kit
I'm very lucky. Thanks for watching 👍🏻
Great video