Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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WW1 Royal Engineers

Posted by peter cook on 8/9/2025, 7:45 am

A group of WW1 Royal Engineers. Photographer was George Smith, Hudson Street Studio, Tyne Dock.

Re: WW1 Royal Engineers

Posted by Allan C. on 8/9/2025, 9:55 am, in reply to "WW1 Royal Engineers"

All officers with the senior in the centre, note his right sleeve cuff badges.

A few have ra in covers on their hats or caps.

Probably taken before going over to France 1914/1915.

How many returned home?

Allan C.

Re: WW1 Royal Engineers

Posted by Audrey D. on 8/9/2025, 4:03 pm, in reply to "WW1 Royal Engineers"

I know this is a strange comment to make but noticing how binding and uncomfortable those leggings (pants)? look to me, wondering what they are made of, I imagine they would be hard to put on and take off again. Is anyone in the know??
Just curious ....Audrey

for Audrey

Posted by Mac C on 8/9/2025, 4:10 pm, in reply to "Re: WW1 Royal Engineers"

Those were Puttees Audrey. They date back in use by our army into the mid 19th century.
Alleged to be comfortable they also helped, it is said, to keep mud and water out of boots

Re: for Audrey

Posted by Malcolm on 8/9/2025, 5:45 pm, in reply to "for Audrey"

Absolutely, Mac.

They were still in use in 1982 during the Falklands War, although a lot shorter than those in the photo. They were made of a material akin to sacking. They were comfortable, and supported the ankle.

Woefully inadequate for the boggy conditions down there, and there were numerous cases of Trench-foot.

They, and the old style DMS boots were discontinued after that, in favour of a high-leg boot.

Puttees

Posted by Audrey D. on 10/9/2025, 5:29 am, in reply to "Re: for Audrey"

Thank you Mac C and Malcolm! I was able to google them and see they are strips of fabric and wrapped around the lower legs, take time to put on and take off and an ankle bracelet to keep in place at top of boot. Still curious about the fabric that was used. I understand you can buy them on Amazon .....no, I'm not planning on doing that ....!

Re: Puttees

Posted by Malcolm on 10/9/2025, 7:40 am, in reply to "Puttees"

Hi Audrey. The best way I can describe the material (I said like sack material) thinking back, was probably cotton, with a mix of something else in it.

Putting them on was a faff, but after time, you got quicker, and better, at it.

I think the first time took probably 4 or 5 attempts.

It wasn't just a matter of wrapping it around, and tying it off.

It had to be the correct position, and dimension, top to bottom, and the tapes correctly tucked in, on the outside of the ankle.

I'm sure there were instructions/diagrams in one of the dress manuals, as you can imagine, with the military.

As I said, the DMS (ankle length) boots were replaced in the 1980's, with a calf length Para style boot, which came half-way up the calf, so the putees were no longer required.

The lacing on the new boots were a nightmare, but better than applying the puttees. We then sourced an American water-proof Zip, with lace-holes that matched the boot lace holes. So using the laces to hold the zip in place, the task that could take 20 minutes (old boots & putees) turned into about 10 seconds......... Military efficiency !!! LOL

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