This belt belonged to a WW1 Australian Anzac who most probably, because of the buttons and badges, served on the Western Front. Records destroyed in 1969 bush fires at Lara means we are unable to determine who owned this in the RSL. The belts is called a 'stable belt' and the one you have acquired is an early example with a leather pocket. It became common in WW1 for both, leather belts (especially that from the 1903 bandolier equipment as worn by those in the Boer War), and stable belts to be used to hold badges collected from fellow soldiers and for that reason it was often known as a 'souvenir belt'. The evolution of the stable belt: It seems that stable belts began to become popular across the Army as a whole around the turn of the 20th century, although they probably originated with the cavalry a little earlier sometime in the 1880s/1890s. All units at that time had horses on their establishment and those soldiers told off to attend them reported for Stable Parade in Stable Dress which consisted of very high waisted and pocket less breeches, or trousers, held up by braces and collarless, woollen flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up. This was to facilitate the rigorous physical effort and flexibility of movement necessary for mucking out and grooming. Braces at that time had no elastic as rubber was expensive, they were made of cotton with no 'give' whatsoever and so soldiers commonly allowed the braces to flop down from the waist so that they could bend over freely. For trousers that fitted loosely (due to the high waist) this meant that they tended to slip down and at first soldiers cinched them in with leather belts. Later on the regimental saddlers began to make belts from the same, plain canvas or wool strapping used for the horses Surcingle and utilising the same double leather strap and buckle arrangement for security (if one strap broke the other would hold and prevent the saddle from coming unseated). One particular feature of these early stable belts was a sewn on (or in) pocket, secured by a stud or clip, within which loose change could be kept, or a pocket watch, as there were no pockets in the breeches. As you might imagine these became very popular as the pocket was useful and the extra breadth afforded by the canvas strapping made them very comfortable. Around about the turn of the 20th century it began to be popular for officers to wear neckties in regimental colours both for sport and less formal, country dress. This habit probably began with the Queens Household troops and Line Cavalry, but quickly spread throughout the Army and it appears as if this use of regimental colours spread to the canvas or wool strapping used to make stable belts. For this reason the stable belts invariably followed the same colour scheme (but not always the same pattern arrangement) of regimental neck ties.This belt is an example of what Australian troops collected when on the Western Front during WW1 and when on leave.Webbing Belt with Badges and Buttons WW1See Mediaarmy, australian army, western front, aif, s.w.ellis, service number 640, 2 m.g.c., buttons, badges, belt, stable belt

Webbing Belt green US styleuniform, 1970, army

White webbing belt plus keepersuniform, army

Uniform Khaki Webbing belt narrowuniform, army

U.S. adjustable khaki webbing beltBelt, individual equipment LC-1. Size mediumwebbing belt

Australian, webbing, belt & holster (Part UC017)equipment, ww2, raaf

Army webbing belt khaki (part of UC009)equipment, ww2, army

Small Pouch for Webbing Belt. 44 patternequipment, 1990, army

Belt for summer issue Polyester uniform trousers. Peter Ball collection, refer Cat No 4704Belt webbing light khaki colour, black metal buckle with sliding section for length adjustment, inside belt has large stamped military details some very faint plus name in texta.Military details, “........(arrow up) 1968 ........66-012-6304.40”. On metal buckle, “Lion metal goods” In texta, “Ball”belts, webbing, polyesters, uniform

Webbing Belt Black, Brass Clasp. Pattern 37equipment, post 1956, army

Navy blue webbing belt. metal buckle. webbingclothing

Belts issued as part of field uniform of the Australian Army. Number suggests Post WW2.Cotton webbing belt, brass buckle and a number inscribed on the inside Written on inside "1646312".uniform, canvas belt, army

Two cotton ammunition pouches in olive green and worn on a webbing belt.passchendaele barracks trust, ammunition pouches

Webbing belt and revolver holsterKhaki canvass belt with metal buckle with revolver holsterrevolver holster, belt

Part of the " Kevin John Herdman" No.397661 Collection. See Catalogue No. 5942P. for details of his service record.Blackened webbing belt with brass keepers and brass buckle. Inside of belt is green in colour.webbing, belt, uniform, kevin john herdman

Item issued to Peter BALL 3796117. Refer Cat No 4704Basic webbing belt, green colour with brass buckles, keepers & eyelets for harness connection.Peter BALLbasic webbing, equipment, military, army

Owned by William Albert HARRISON (Service Number VX41478; above Link ["WW2 Record"] indicates that Rank on Discharge was Cpl, but other AIF documents, from National Archives Australia [including Proceedings on Discharge - see pdf Media File above], indicate that he was Sergeant). Soldier's name known. Items donated (date unknown) by brother-in-law who was living in Montmorency and was a committee member of MERSL when item donated.Khaki Pattern 1937 Webbing belt minus its two rear brass buckles. hand-written name ("W. A. HARRISON") and service number (VX41478) Carrier PLN 2/5 Bn S^ ME Co 1940

Khaki coloured adjustable webbing belt made of material webbing. Clasps are brass & are adjustable.webbing belt, army issue

For issue to Army personnel post WW2 to attach to their belts webbing. The water bottle is 1945 issue on. The canvas water bottle cover is WW2 issue. hard plastic water bottle post WW2, canvas cover with studs WW2 and post WW2 issue. 2 x Metal hooks on the canvas cover to attach to belts webbing. Water bottle labelled "made in Korea" which indicates post WW2 era.

This item was commonly called a "Bum Bag" as it fitted on the rear of a waist webbing belt.Jungle green canvas, flap is held down with 2 straps, 2 metal clips at rear mount bag onto waist belt. Plastic buckles, celluloid pocket on top for soldier's name. Volume about 6 litres. Bottom straps have been bound up with black pvc tape.military equipment - kit bag, passchendaele barracks trust, bum bag

29 various badges, buttons from assorted armies are attached to the German belt. The belt and assorted items were souvenired by John Stanley Howlett. Refer 41 medals, 48.4P photos. German webbing belt bearing a souvenir collection of 29 various buttons and badges from assorted armies.On belt buckle: Gott Mit Unsmilitary history, uniforms, souvenirs, buttons, costume accessories - haberdashery

Over the shoulders webbing harness, green colour with metal adjustable clips for attachment to basic webbing belt.“8115-50-577-4922 [up arrow] height under 68” “ULCP 1969 R”military history - army equipment, equipment, webbing, harnss

Issued to RAR's for attachment to Armalite weaponsAmerican bayonet for M8A1 rifle or carbine Plastic chequered handle steel scabbard with webbing belt fittingOn bayonet USM4 TMN On scabbard USM8A1 / VIZ

Item used for M - 16 Armalite ammunition.Basic ammunition pouch, green, webbing & canvas, metal buckles & straps for closure & attachment to webbing belt & harness.“D [up arrow] D”military history - equipment / army, arms - accessories

Military canvas equipment used to carry small items and ammunition during WW2Military equipment made by GMHCanvas webbing belt with brass buckles and clips, with two canvas bags also attached by brass clip and bucklke.GMH 1943 D -D Inside lid of each bagmilitary, equipment