The military hierarchy have been outfitting their troops with uniforms and equipment for battle since the beginning of time, changes reflecting the various styles of warfare. One of the many changes in the UK came about in 1908, when a whole new outfit appeared with the Ministry of Defence title of ‘1908 Pattern Military Webbing (Marching Order)’, a fine image of the whole set in the picture above.

What we have here in the collection is an original ‘Large Pack’ from a 1918 set. They were often split up from the whole for use as a backpack/rucksack and many were sold off after both World Wars to be snapped up by outdoor folk of the era looking for something to carry their gear in.

M.E.CO. on the inside of the flap refers to Mills Equipment Company who were one of the main contractors to the Ministry of Defence for decades.

The 1908 pattern survived through both World Wars, albeit with some ‘pattern’ changes, this one seems to have belonged to the RAF at some point and was ultimately bought by Ken MacTaggart, who kindly passed it on to us.