One for you history minded people: I need to mock up a First World War uniform for a school history lesson. I have a tin hat, a pair of boots and a film prop Lee Enfield of the right vintage. I need - everything else! I'm not expecting original WW1 stuff, but later items that can be made to appear similar i.e. Great coat, tunic,trousers, shirt. webbing, pouches & packs and last, but not least, puttees (!) I can afford to pay a nominal sum for some things but donated would be great. Hope someone can turn up something! Thanks!

Most of these sould be cheap at army - navy store, if you cant buy puttees ,horse leg wraps at horse tack are the same ,buy white and dip in a little diluted iodine will change to kacki ?

have you tried local amateur dramatic theatre groups? they may be able to help or point you in the right direction.

what about re-enaction groups? dont know if there are any of those for that era, but again, they may have some connections.

failing that, what about the wardrobe departments at sheffield theatres?

urm, after that, im a bit stuck.

best of luck though- i remember we did the Great War for gcse history. i found that period really interesting, and thoroughly enjoyed those lessons- and the coach trip to the imperial war musuem (even if i had eaten my packed lunch by 10am! :) )

sophie
x

Thanks people. Army stores have proved fruitless so far but haven't done them all yet. Local theatre groups have been helpful with ideas but again, no joy yet. Horse leg wrap - brilliant! Knew puttees reminded me of something! Thought they were going to be the most difficult thing to replicate.

when do you need this by?

ive had flash of inspiration...but no promises!

sophie
x

There's no rush. Think it's just before Easter

Have you been to the army barracks they will have some for sure.

Good suggestion, I'll try it.

apologies for the delay in getting back to you- my internet has been off for the last week (trauma!) but i emailed my source tonight.

fingers crossed.

sophie
x

well, now i truly feel like im back in the land of the living with the internet restored! lol

my source offered these links as places for possible assistance, i havent checked them- i know, slack. but hopefully they may be able to help:

The Great War Society :

http://www.thegreatwarsociety.com/

http://www.worldwar1.com/tgws/

and the Birmingham Pals re-enactment group :

http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/birminghampals/

how does that sound?

good luck,

sophie
x

Do you know anyone who is visiting the Somme battlefields? I know its a bit of a long shot, but I bought one or two props for school quite cheaply when I went to Albert, France (Somme). Unfortnately they were "borrowed" at a school I worked at and never turned up again.

Thanks for all of those suggestions. Really do appreciate the help for what I naively assumed would be a straightforward task. Co-incidentally met someone on Friday who's taking a school trip to Ypres shortly. Have asked him to keep an eye out. I'll let you know how I get on with all this stuff.

Thanks for all of those suggestions. Really do appreciate the help for what I naively assumed would be a straightforward task. Co-incidentally met someone on Friday who's taking a school trip to Ypres shortly. Have asked him to keep an eye out. I'll let you know how I get on with all this stuff.

Dont remember anything for sale in Ypres, they are a bit too posh for that there! But in Albert there was loads for sale, looked like they had found an old equipment store or something. Thats where I got my tin hat and one or two cap badges.

PS Other half has just reminded me, in the Ypres region there is a museum at Sanctuary Wood that sometimes has stuff for sale.

I used to have a 1916 short magazine Lee Enfield under my bed...

I remember visiting the Royal Armouries in Leeds and there was an actor in WW1 uniform and weapons talking to a group of kids. They have a shop which sells all kinds of things from posters to replica brown bess muskets, might be worth a try?