What did a WW1 soldier carry in his pockets?
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- čas přidán 15. 12. 2022
- In this video, Kevin Hicks is going to take a look at what a WW1 soldier might have carried in his pockets. From a saucy photo to his pay book, we look at the mundane and the personal items that a WW1 soldier might have had on his person.
This video is a fun look at the typical things that a WW1 soldier might have carried with him, both on and off the battlefield. If you're interested in military history or WW1 memorabilia, this video is a great way to learn more about what a WW1 soldier might have had in his pockets!
It’s not an exhaustive list, these are just from Kevin’s collection. There would have been other personal items, letters and such, but this gives a wonderful insight into the private and unofficial things a WW1 soldier may have carried with him into battle.
Filmed at the Saskatoon Museum of Military Artifacts smoma.ca
#WW1 #WorldWarOne #FirstWorldWar #WorldWar1 #worldwarI #WWI #BritishTommy #WW1Soldier #1914 #history #historychannel
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For more WW1 history videos check out this playlist: • World War One
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177k and we keep going up! Go Kevin!
Great isn't it. I joined the channel around 24k I think it was, and not too long ago!
Thanks. I've been surprised and very humbled by everyone's support and kind words. I look forward to bringing more videos to you all in 2023.
@@ThatsRoyal How lovely, thanks so much!!
People like you keep history alive. I'm 36 and love history. Hopefully younger people carry it on and put their phones down. When it gets forgotten it's repeated. Thanks.
I'm 37 and love history too, but one of the greatest tools to access history is our phones! It's about getting the younger ones intrested in it. There has been some absolutely amazing people in history, some monsters too. But you know what they say...
Put our phones down? The ones we're using to learn history from this great man?
Wouldn't that be counterproductive?
Couldn’t agree more with you. I wish more people appreciated history as you do, they might actually learn how important history is..For those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it! This especially applies to war, I was in the army and I assure you, there is no glory in combat just fear pain and suffering. If more people studied history as you do it could save a lot of terrible suffering.
Sincerely,
Doc
Ex combat medic
@@beanie1792 I can guess, Those that don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it? I’m 62 and get frustrated that younger people don’t know history or appreciate the sacrifices made by my parents generation fighting WWII for our freedom. I was a medic in the army for over 6 years. I experienced limited combat but enough to know that war is not pleasant and consists mostly of hours of boredom interspersed with terrible moments of fear, pain, suffering and misery. If people learned from history maybe the suffering could be avoided. It shocks me when I hear kids today that have never heard of WWII let alone WWI , Korean War or even Vietnam.
Sincerely,
Doc
Oh yeah, I'll put my phone down and start watching videos such as this one in history books. Phenomenal ideia!
Jk!
Kevin, I so enjoy just listening to you talk in your calm even voice. In a chaotic day, it's a respite for sure. On top of that, your love for the subject of history and military is obvious. Your interest in what you speak about makes the listener even more interested. Thanks for doing what you do!
My pleasure Stephen, thank you for watching 👍🏻
Amazing how much of a single person's life can be stuffed onto their person. And each man in the front carried something that his friends did, and some that were just for him. Something every soldier throughout time probably understands. Love these videos and can't wait for the medieval medicine one.
I absolutely love the humanity you get to show us with these videos. And this is a far better answer than Gollum got in the famous duel.
Very interesting. My relative was a 2Lt in WW1 and this has helped me understand about the kit he had. Thanks.
This channel does more than the history channel on TV has ever done, thank you.
Thanks!!
@@thehistorysquad No, thank you.
Seriously love this channel. The little tidbits of history you bring to attention that are overlooked tend to be the more interesting ones I think. Stay warm this winter History Squad!
BTW, I really hope you cover the 1914 Christmas Truce. Love to hear your take on it.
Thanks so much!!
Not this year, the Truce, but I'll make sure I cover it next year. 👍🏻
The general character and presentation has something special that totally sets it apart from other history channels.
It's definitely a firm favourite
Very educational. The Imperial War Museum in London has a breakdown similar to this as well, but seeing it explained live is always better than text
My grandfather enlisted aged sixteen in 1916 and fought in the Somme at Mamet's Wood. He probably carried all those items.
You always give such fascinating tidbits of obscure history. Thank you so much for making the past more relatable. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family, friends, and peace.
Thanks Kevin and a Merry Christmas to you too
Thank you for these, Mr. Hicks!
Another great little explanation of how our grandfather's (or great grandfathers) went into battle, in WW1. Thanks!
Greetings once again from nova Scotia, thanks Kevin, I really enjoyed this one. I love how much things have changed, but are still the same. I wanted to say how much I admire the respect you have for those who came before us, the reverence for the every day soldiers, those who served. Blessings, stay warm, be safe and as always best regards, Arthur
How lovely Arthur, thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.
@@thehistorysquad thank you Kevin, Merry Christmas to yours as well, all the best in the year to come. Cheers Arthur
9:05 swagger stick strategically placed I see Kevin haha. Another great and insightful video.
Splendid video, Kevin. The detailed minutiae are what make history come alive. As a former Grunt (squaddie, later a Rupert), these details are very interesting, and they connect with my experiences.)
A woooopert indeed 😜
Well said! Isn't it great when we can make history relatable, it's so much more engaging. 👍🏻
Thanks Kevin for another great video!!
I absolutly love these videos!
Another awesome video, thank you!
Your content is great the variety of information you pass along is much welcomed.....Thanks
So interesting. Love these.
great as always kevin
Very interesting, thanks!
That was excellent Sir, thank you for educating us. Your channel is so very informative.
Great stuff
Very interesting to see some examples of personal effects. Thank you.
Truly a great bit of history. I enjoyed watching this
Excellent and most informative video Kevin, cheers!
Thanks Dan, glad you liked it.
My Good Sir, your dedication abs commitment to your videos is admirable. The length you go to accurately depict the clothes/uniforms is astounding. Please keep it up. Your a great historian
Will do, thank you!
Love your films
That was very interesting great work
I really appreciate your history lessons! You add such a personal touch with the interesting tidbits and stories in your videos. I can’t wait to see what you upload next!
Thank you very much!
Thank you Kevin for thus very interesting episode. The Great War is my favorite history topic so I truly enjoyed every minute of the video...
Thats great to hear, thanks 👍🏻
Kevin, I absolutely adore your channel, keep it up!
Thanks!! Will do. 👍🏻
Very interesting! We have learned a lot of warfare since then, and not even the battlefield but logistics and supply side. That spoon would be something you would not want on your calf, easily collecting dirt and such. The dog tags being cardboard are also kind of a sad issue considering how hard it would be to ID from a corpse in a muddy trench. It is interesting how revolutionary the 1900s were across the board.
The aluminum dog tags weren’t much better. There’s nothing worse that a soldier KIA whose identity is lost forever.
Well done thank you for doing what you do people should never forget what people went through back then if it wasn't for people like you everything would all be forgotten about and children need to know everything about wars and what it was all about thank you
@historysquad can you do an episode about your uncle please if it doesn't upset you that is I'm sure we would love to hear what he did and what regiment he was and combat he saw. With respect to you uncle
What a lovely idea, I've not thought of doing it but certainly will now. I'll have to see what more information I can glean from my Dad 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad thank love your channel sorry I can't support moneys tight cost of living but I subscribe and liked
@@reaperiscomingforme We're just super glad to have you aboard and appreciate your sub. Sharing vids is another way that helps the algorithm 👍🏻
Your World War 1 kit is in great condition. Thanks for posting the notes up close so I could read them.
Love your channel Kevin
Cheers mate 👍🏻
Thank you for your great Videos :D greetings from germany and have a wonderful christmastime all :D
always a treat to watch these types of videos
Cheers, thanks for watching.
Another wonderful history squad video lots of wonderful information keep up the amazing work Kevin
Thanks Owens 👍🏻
Good stuff. It's always interesting to see the little details that sometimes have absolutely nothing to do with the event that era came to be known for. A spoon, an old watch, a picture of some french lady. Who knows what other random stuff these lads would carry with them.
Like the way you take time to reply and like your viewers comments. So many 'youtubers' do not take the time to do such. Very interesting pieces of history info Kev.
It's my pleasure, I see it as part of the job to be honest, though it does take up time, I hope to keep it up as long as I can as the numbers grow.
I absolutely adore these kinds of videos. Very simple yet informative. And im so very curious what a soldier during that era would have carried. Being an American airman myself during 99-04, always curious to see what similarities there would have been with a ww1 era soldier vs a more modern soldier
Brilliant as always Kevin. You are a real treasure. A gentleman and a scholar. Wish you and your family a happy late Christmas, and a happy new year.
Thanks so much, & a Happy New Year to you too. 👍🏻
Thanks!
I love the diversity of video subjects on this channel, always a quality watch.
Thanks very much!!
Fascinating. Not interested so much in WWI, but you make it so interesting.
Awesome short history show. I was engaged and enjoyed every minute. Keep them coming!
Thank you! Will do!
Very interesting film! Saskatoon museum looks pretty nice too!
Always interesting content, glad I found this channel, Seasons greetings Kevin! Mike.
Thanks Mike 👍🏻
Marvellous channel! I was born in Saskatoon. I don't know how we did it, but we would go outside and play in that kind of cold.
I've always enjoyed your stories Kevin, cheers Gerard and greetings from Australia
G'day mate, you'll be having a warmer Christmas than me. Thanks for watching the channel 👍🏻
Love this channel.
Glad to hear it! Thanks 👍🏻
Fascinating 👍
Thanks History Squad for some fine and interesting content.
Our pleasure!
Very interesting, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Wow fantastic as always Kivin my I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and New year.
Thank you Carl, and you too. 👍🏻
It's -6 here in Blighty and I think that's cold enough 🤣
Didn't know that about the hankies. You can see the sense in it. Cheers, Kevin.
Great video! As a fellow resident of Saskatchewan this one was especially neat to see, keep warm!
Thanks, you too!
If you're ever in Saskatoon on a Thursday or a Saturday, drop in and say hello 👍🏻
Thank you
Fantastic as always, Kevin!
I would love to see a video of what a young Kevin carried in his pockets as a soldier or as a police officer.
I'm sure that many of your viewers are former or current law enforcement officers or soldiers (myself included, I retired after 20 years of US Army service).
Keep it up, Kev!!! 👍
Thanks Brian. I actually don't have any of my own old kit, police or army, other than my bible, whistle and discharge papers.
Very interesting, thanks! Had no idea the variety of items a soldier would have on his person...& not counting his field kit, helmet & rifle...subbed...
Great, thank you, and thanks for your sub too, it's appreciated.
@@thehistorysquad you are most welcome!
Thanks Kevin For This Brilliant Video From Blue
Very welcome
Nicely done! i felt memories allmost.😊👍i love your channel the History Squad .Allmost sent me back in time.the Canadians were the most daring warriors.
Brilliant, thanks for watching 👍🏻
My uncle served in the first world war Daniel Laidlaw luckily he is immortalised in a documentary but sadly most weren’t, it’s always interesting seeing these sort of videos as often the soldiers are just viewed as objects that were there and not people with their own lives with pockets full of personal items just like us now.
Looking smart Sgt interesting video 👌
Fmr US Army 1980s. When I got home my friends called me “Spoon Boy” - I ate everything quickly with just a spoon. Took a long time to eliminate that habit.My Great Uncle ( I had the honor of meeting at age 7) served in WW1. God bless You for this-
I know that feeling. Funny enough in 1980 I had leave from Northern Ireland and I'm around a table in a restaurant with my family and everyone stopped to look at me in horror as I lifted up my plate and shovelled it all in with a spoon
No Matter the Army- We are all “Mates “ after all-
your videos are the best Kevin. thank you for sharing all your knowledge.
i am from the netherlands and was on a road trip last summer in northumberland. we visited Alnwick castle (beautifull!) and i saw this person shooting a longbow in the distance.
had to get closer to check if it was you.. that would have bin a really big coincedince offcourse.
i wish you and yours a merry christmas ♥
Cheers Jellybeat, and a Merry Christmas to you too. I have visited Alnwick, but never worked there 👍🏻
Nice video.
Of course the officer is indoors during the winter!
Keep up the amazing content.
Brilliant Kevin as always. Often wondered what was in all those pockets! It's positively balmy here in the UK, only around -3 at the moment! Regards Mick
😜
Wonderful video, the kit doesn't change to much over time. Items are added and dropped but for the most part the basic kit is the same.
It is amazing how so little of what a soldier carried has changed. Of course there is no need for the pay book anymore, but overall things have remained essentially the same. Merry Christmas, and stay warm. Cheers from Texas.
Thanks David, and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours too. 👍🏻
I've seen in WW1 archaeological digs the only way to identify skeletal remains of the falling are Spoons because the soldiers would carve their names , initials or service number on the spoons to stop them from being stolen by their trench mates.
I'm an early war german reinactor and boy I use my Gurffle at every meal. Wherever I go, I'm never without my spork. Love your documentaries.
Very sharp uniform and very insightful to what many Great War soldiers had on them on the daily aside from rifle and kit
9:01 Nice Strategic Swagger stick placement lol
Very nice
Very interesting.
-30d! 🥶 🌬️ 🌨️ Lord have mercy!
Fascinating wardrobe. Merry Christmas Kevin.
Same to you! Thanks
Amazing
"Remember boys, flies spread disease, so keep yours closed".
- George Luz
Band of Brothers
Welcome to Canada! Happy Christmas from Vancouver!
Thank you! Same to you!
amazing videos!
Glad you think so!
''A little memento of France,'' love it Kevin! All young guys should have a ''memento'' of France.
😂
Thank you. My grandfather's brother would have worn a uniform similar to that.
So sorry -30 for you Kevin, and me in Florida and right now about 70 degrees in Tallahassee! So keep warm... Love how you review what the troops have and hold on to. Having been one myself. Remember on the DMZ Korea 1976, the Platoon Sergeant looks at me and says: "Hey Wolfgang, you are now our "hunter killer" team". So they gave me a 66mm LAW (Light anti Tank Weapon). And their I dug in behind the platoon position. Idea was if the N. Korean T 55 drives up I can take a nice quick shot before it pivot steers me into the soil. But no one said anyone attacking that day, so took my C Rat apart got the coffee, creamer, and cocoa beverage powder made some nice Mocha. You take the brown cardboard sides of the C Rat and the matches, tear them up and then from the coco bev can you cut it into a little stove, put the canteen cup on top and in 5 minutes brewing time its ok! Sipped and enjoyed being 20 years old and a long way from home. In my pockets had that can opener thing and yes the New Testament book of John, you know King James Version which is the only version I read today, lots of yanks like me. We had to all read it cover to cover when we got saved back at the old Baptist Church at Bienville Parish, Louisiana. My Uncle Jesse, made the motion that I be voted in as a member due to my conversion. He was a World War One American and occupation of Germany soldier. So glad it was only Mocha and not bits of me ground around. Just like every soldier another day with Tea or Coffee and a little grub... well you are still alive you sorry mother!!!! That is what it really means, you are young and still alive.. Old now... You get me in the heart. Peace to you in the name of Jesus, yes King James Version!!!
Only a soldier knows how eh? God bless to you too. 👍🏻
Holy shit, man. This is great! Big ups
Cheers!
I am delving into my history and still so praying all is revealed. Love you. Bye for now. ❤.
As a veteran medic what shocked me was the number of wounded soldiers in WWI that did not know how to use their issued medical kit correctly. So many wounded poured the iodine directly into their wound (it destroys living tissue)rather than apply it to the bandage then place the bandage over the wound. I can’t imagine trying to fight infection without penicillin, we take antibiotics for granted today but my grandfather was wounded in the back of the neck at the Ypres salient. He survived the wound but nearly dies from infection. He passed away in 1954 before my birth but I was told the wound troubled him the remainder of his life.
Hope you enjoyed our balmy Canadian winter, I was born in Manitoba, the prairies, mind you are colder than the other provinces, although I still don’t forgive my parents for immigrating here on certain bitter cold days, when they chose Canada over Australia!
Sincerely,
Doc
Haha, I totally understand. After our fourth winter, the novelty has now worn off and I'll be looking for a bit of warmth for the next one 👍🏻
Thanks for another interesting video, Kevin, a lot of that stuff reminds me of just what I used to carry in the pockets of my combat kit back in the seventies... That clasp knife looks remarkably familiar....
I had one too, when I was in 👍🏻. What were you in?
@@thehistorysquad I was RMP, same as you - and about the same time.
@@kenattwood8060 Wow, did our paths ever cross Ken? So many names, so many faces.
@@thehistorysquad I went into the regs from the TA (116 Pro Coy) and was on recruit squad 7603 at Chichester.....
@@kenattwood8060 Ah, you were just before me then. I was 7606 👍🏻
Thank you for another interesting video. Really never thought about the problem with white handkerchiefs. Of course, I always carried brown. I hope you do a Christmas video. No matter your religion, it always seemed the Christmas season was dear to all soldier’s hearts.
Thanks Margaret, yes there'll be two out next week, Julie's still to edit them. 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad yay. Thank you.
Looking magnificent in that uniform Soldier! But apart from Duty that must be done I wouldn't have swapped my Christmas at home for the trenches. Those personal momentos are so important a reflection of lives that could have been. R.I.P. Uncle Albert and the rest.
Amazing, would love for you to do a video on the Home Guard “Dads army” during WW2
Good idea, I'll add it to my list 👍🏻
Especially on the haphazard kit issue before production ramped up, expected to fight with sharpened broom handles, and so on!
I'm a simple man, I see a video with Kevin Hicks & The History Squad, and I click it.
😄 simple is good 👍🏻
I very much enjoyed your film, Kevin. I was not aware of some of the items a chap carried with him. I have a few items of my grandfather's from WW1, including his trench maps brought home with him after being wounded, but it rang a bell when you were talking about identity discs. I have the oval aluminium identity bracelet he wore as a 2nd Lt. in the 1/5 Lincolnshire Regt. So many questions I would ask him now, but I am sensitive to the fact that often survivors of war would rather bury their experiences along with their fallen comrades. Flashbacks are a real bugg**!
Yes, I forgot to mention the ID bracelet. Did you know they were a private purchase? The men bought them themselves because they knew how flimsy the discs were.
@@thehistorysquad Hi Kevin, No, I didn't know they were privately purchased, but I am aware that an officer was required to purchase a number of items of kit himself, including his revolver. My grandfather still had his .455 Mk VI Webley & Scott well after WW2 (he was also Ammunition Officer for his Home Guard section in WW2). He handed it in during a weapons amnesty - surprised the desk sergeant when he popped it on the counter! The identity discs were rather flimsy. I have my father's RAF ones from WW2 and they were still just made from compressed board. The suspension cords were only string too. Wouldn't last too long under wet conditions. I can well understand that some WW1 soldiers would wish to purchase a more substantial identity bracelet. Keep up the good work Kevin - your films are always excellent!
@@petehall889 Thanks Pete, appreciated.
My grandmother used to have a very realstic-looking and heavy Colt 1911 kicking around, she always told me it was "only a cap gun", but now I'm wondering...
Also how a Brit would have got one, pretty sure tommies in WW2 still used revolvers.
@@worldcomicsreview354 Standard issue in the British Army was a revolver, but approximately 40,000 Colt 1911 and 1911A1 autos were issues after the Dunkirk evacuation, mostly to commandos and airborne troops, as well as the SOE.
Always have your racing spoon handy!
Always!
That's so very interesting, especially the "memento from France." That's something that isn't talked about much and it has never crossed my mind. But obviously it's something that's part of life, especially amongst the younger lads. I just have hard time figuring out how one would, umh, enjoy these mementos while crammed in with a whole lot of dudes. But maybe in a situations like that it doesn't even cross ones mind, one might wait until things are calmer and find a way to have some private corner in somewhere.
Food for thought indeed 😜