British equipment

[InitialProduction1]

Did British equipment Carrie British names on it like the U.S.? On rucksacks, jackets, and so on, US equipment was stamped in Black their names, also on their equipment was in black the letters U.S. on blankets did the British do the same? Thanks for any help.

[Dropis258]

Hi
If your talking about WW2 , No names on uniforms or equipment . Modern some Regiments in the Army had names above left pockets on combat/field jackets, don't know about the Navy or Air force. Hope this helps .

[digger303]

Often wondered when they had to leave their packs, what happened and did they get there own packs back. Must have been a damn nuisance sorting out afterwards.

[InitialProduction1]

Added a "blanket/tarp" to my Pz III j build, and painted it English uniform Brown, I found a blanket of the same color, and thought I might have to add a number, name, country origin tag. but apparently not. Thanks guys for looking in, and help.

[Dropis258]

Often wondered when they had to leave their packs, what happened and did they get there own packs back. Must have been a damn nuisance sorting out afterwards.

Evening,we used to put are name & last 4 of our service number on the part of the packs that went against our backs so when they were all lined up you knew who's was who's used to paint a small patch with orange paint too so it was easy to see at night .

[InitialProduction1]

Wow thank you. It Was in your hand writing right? Meaning no stencils.and it was in black right, name and numbers, also on the patch, was it like a 4x4, and in orange? This is cool to me, I like finding out this small stuff, it's an eye catching detail.

[RustyWarrior]

Back in the 80's and early 90's it was definitely hand written on my part using a black Sharpie, surname and last three. Often had a piece of green non reflective tape on the helmet with the same info plus blood group on it - again hand written - some of the guys also used to put small pieces of dayglo on the back of their helmets as well. Never did it myself as I didn't like the idea of a nice aiming mark lol

NBC kits usually had the same green tape with surname and service number on the flap of the chest pocket so that we could identify each other - gather a few guys together and cover them up in green suits with a respirator on and hood up and you can't tell one from the other.

The other thing worth mentioning was that in the early 80's and 90's a lot of us bought our own gear such as boots, rucksacks (usually Bergens but the odd ALICE pack would appear as well) as well as extra pouches for the 58 pattern webbing that was issued although as the 90's came along we moved more towards chest rigs. Line up a bunch of us on the tarmac before embarkation and no two of us would have the same kit on. Crazy days.

[digger303]

do you think the same happened in ww2 with individuals marking their own packs.

[chief5437]

I would say yes. Not only would their kit contain any personal items, they're also accountable for their kit. So they'd be billed for it if it got lost. Also, I packed my kit in the most efficient way for the job I was doing. The last thing I wanted was for some sprog to wander off with it!

Vehicle crews are fiercely protective of their kit, personal and vehicle kit!

[digger303]

I would say yes. Not only would their kit contain any personal items, they're also accountable for their kit. So they'd be billed for it if it got lost. Also, I packed my kit in the most efficient way for the job I was doing. The last thing I wanted was for some sprog to wander off with it!

Vehicle crews are fiercely protective of their kit, personal and vehicle kit!

Interesting.
No permanent markers back then though, Indian ink perhaps ?

[Stokesy44]

Fascinating stuff. Great to hear the nitty gritty from those in the know.

[RustyWarrior]

Vehicle crews are fiercely protective of their kit, personal and vehicle kit!

True - but any other bods kit if it wasn't nailed down (and often even if it was) was fair game. "What's yours is mine, what's mine's my own!"

[chief5437]

I would say yes. Not only would their kit contain any personal items, they're also accountable for their kit. So they'd be billed for it if it got lost. Also, I packed my kit in the most efficient way for the job I was doing. The last thing I wanted was for some sprog to wander off with it!

Vehicle crews are fiercely protective of their kit, personal and vehicle kit!

Interesting.
No permanent markers back then though, Indian ink perhaps ?

Possibly, I'm not sure what was in common use back then. But I clearly remember seeing my grandfathers ww2 kit with his name and number hand written on it.