Military hose tops

[Macman]

Tell me more about the puttees as I thought they went out with trench warfare.

These puttees (at least, that's what we called them) were the same as or similar to the British pattern in the Second World War as worn with battledress trousers. My memory could be wrong, but I recall them being roughly three feet long and around 4-5" wide, with a little bit of elasticity. They had a triangular end, to which was attached a one inch wide cotton strap of maybe another 18". When wrapped around the ankle and lower calf, it was maybe 6-7" wide, with the triangular end on the outside ankle. They differed from the ones I've seen circa the Great War which came up a lot higher on the calf. I'll point out that at the time I was wearing them (early 1970's) the Canadian military was not spending a whole lot of money on its reserve forces, so we wore kit that was at least one generation old. Our day uniforms were basically from the 1940's and 50's.

[Nanook]

These puttees (at least, that's what we called them) were the same as or similar to the British pattern in the Second World War as worn with battledress trousers. My memory could be wrong, but I recall them being roughly three feet long and around 4-5" wide, with a little bit of elasticity.

From the description it seems that they were a kind of puttee. Interesting!

Perhaps one could, my mind drifting, do a variation on these.. (still hoping for a scan of the Boer era kit). Inspiration..

Lets face it.. even the best hose do demand maintenance. While these skills were once widespread (alongside knitting) they are now niche talents. Today most people's socks are cheap, made in some Chinese factory, reasonably strong (nylon reinforced) and disposable (the use of elastics anyway limit their lifespan).

[kg4zmf]

From the description it seems that they were a kind of puttee.

As a Foreign Legion reenactor of the 1943 period, I can attest that they are indeed puttees. The Brits supplied the Legion during this period, and ammo boots and puttees were part of the standard issue. There is a bit more of an art to putting them on, as opposed to the longer WW1 era puttees, as these don't go over the calf. Most of the WW2 reenactor supply firms sell these puttees, as well as the ammo boots, which mile for mile, I'll take over the two-buckle American boots from later in the war.

(still hoping for a scan of the Boer era kit)

Any particular unit? My degree is in history, specifically military history. I have a decent collection of reference books. I might have something, although my familiarity with the Boer War is only a passing one, except for the changes in tactical doctrine that ensued following.

Andy

[macwilkin]

Any particular unit? My degree is in history, specifically military history. I have a decent collection of reference books. I might have something, although my familiarity with the Boer War is only a passing one, except for the changes in tactical doctrine that ensued following.

It's a picture of the 1st Argylls in front of a "Rice" blockhouse, ca. 1901. The photo is in Knight and Embelton's "Boer Wars (2): 1898-1902", an Osprey Book -- see my post earlier in the thread.

My BA and MA are in military history, and I work as a park ranger at an NPS Civil War Battlefield.

Regards,

Todd

[macwilkin]

I recently discovered this image of the Highland Light Infantry in the Boer War:

http://www.britishbattles.com/great-...ntein/mag1.jpg

Notice the "colonial" style slouch hats, kilt aprons and the hose tops worn with puttees.

Cheers,

Todd

[mudd]

Interesting thread.

But, do the hose tops get tucked into the shoe, or lay on top of the shoe, or what?

[turpin]

I've got a couple pair of these on order from WPG. I'll give out my impressions when they arrive.

[Macman]

But, do the hose tops get tucked into the shoe, or lay on top of the shoe, or what?

Mudd, the hose tops just need to go down far enough to get covered by the puttees. On most people, they reach down to just above the ankle and fit inside the boot top. Then, you wrap the top of the boot and the bottom of the hose top with the puttee.