What Tommy Took To War
Book review of What Tommy Took To War which looks at the history of uniforms and kit and how soldiers used their equipment in the First World War:
For an understanding of the tools, equipment and uniform worn by the average soldier during the Great War then we recommend What Tommy Took to War, 1914-1918
by military historian Peter Doyle and artist and photographer Chris Foster. Insightful sections relevant to those with an interest in military nursing history include the history of the steel helmet and why they were first issued late in September 1945. Readers of our First World War page will have seen that there was a high incidence of head wounds in the first year of WWI. This is explained in What Tommy Took To War where the author describes how soldiers would wear Service Dress caps which afforded snipers an easy shot.
War has traditionally seen the advancement in medical and nursing techniques and equipment and is no different for the kit used by soldiers. For instance we learn that respirators were developed rapidly after a German gas attack during the assault at Ypres. Throughout his book Peter Doyle explains the development of such equipment and how it helped or inadvertently hindered the average Tommy in the Trenches.
Other interesting pages of relevance to readers of our site may be the
Stretcher Bearer armband worn by medics on the frontline and the first field dressings. Chris Foster has produced some stunning photographs of original items like these and one of the joys of reading and writing this review of What Tommy Took To War 1914-1918 is the visual treat of photos and images on each page that tell their own stories.
It brings a greater understanding of the conditions in the trenches and what the average soldier had to carry. This ranges from the history and depiction of the 1908 pattern webbing and its later replacement the 1914 leather webbing through to the trench whistle, bayonet and fire-arms.
At times it can be quite a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by so many men. The most moving for us was the photo and description of the spoon used by Private William Richardson of the King's Own Scottish Borderers. Like many he sharpened the end so that it was easier to eat in the trenches and was stamped with his Regiment and the last four digits of his Regimental Number. Sadly he was listed as missing presumed dead and his body was never recovered, though his spoon was found.
There are even emotional touches from those at home in the form of examples of the trench art or jewellery worn by loved ones. These were often in Regimental colours and some formed out of shrapnel and scrap metal of the battlefields. A picture of "Serving his King, Country and Empire" poster that was proudly placed in windows of family homes was most moving.
We learned a great deal from What Tommy Took To War by Peter Doyle and Chris Foster and the manufacture and sale of a Tommy Touchwud lucky charm came as touching surprise.
Other items covered include training manuals, semaphore cards and bibles. Another interesting section about casualties is the AB64 Soldier's Service and Pay Book which was carried in the breast pocket of the uniform jacket and to help provide identification of a battlefield casualty. The author also describes the history of the identity discs and why so many chose to make or have made their own ID bracelet.
This book is a must for anyone with an interest in the First World War and of the conditions Tommy found himself in and how he coped with the equipment issued.
Buy Now.
More Book Reviews.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
My PTSD assistance dog, Lynne, and I have written a book about how she helps me with my military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, and depression. I talk about my time in the QAs and the coping strategies I now use to be in my best health.
Along the way, I have had help from various military charities, such as Help for Heroes and The Not Forgotten Association and royalties from this book will go to them and other charities like Bravehound, who paired me with my four-legged best friend.
I talk openly about the death of my son by suicide and the help I got from psychotherapy and counselling and grief charities like The Compassionate Friends.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the Paperback.
This beautiful QARANC Poppy Pin Badge is available from the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop.
For those searching military records, for information on a former nurse of the QAIMNS, QARANC, Royal Red Cross, VAD and other nursing organisations or other military Corps and Regiments, please try Genes Reunited where you can search for ancestors from military records, census, birth, marriages and death certificates as well as over 673 million family trees. At GenesReunited it is free to build your family tree online and is one of the quickest and easiest ways to discover your family history and accessing army service records.
More Information.
Another genealogy website which gives you access to military records and allows you to build a family tree is Find My Past which has a free trial.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses a foreign jet fly over his Aberdeenshire home. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of former British army nurse, now horror and science fiction novel writer, C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
If you would like to contribute to this page, suggest changes or inclusions to this website or would like to send me a photograph then please e-mail me.
Free Book.
The death of the Brotherhood will be avenged.
RAF gunner Jason Harper and a team of Special Air Service operators are enraged after the death of their brothers by a terrorist drone strike. They fly into south-eastern Yemen on a Black-op mission to gather intelligence and avenge the death of their comrades.
Can they infiltrate the Al-Queda insurgents' camp, stay undetected, and call down their own drone missile strike and get home safely?
Will they all survive to fight another day?
Operation Wrath is a free, fast-paced adventure prequel to the non-stop action The Fence series by military veteran author C.G. Buswell.
Download for free on any device and read today.
This website is not affiliated or endorsed by The Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) or the Ministry of Defence.
