Rain cape, also used as a groundsheet, issued Australian servicemen. Purchased for the donor from an "Army Surplus" store and re-purposed for camps as a Scout in the late 1960s. The MK VII Groundsheet (Rain Cape / Poncho) was introduced in October 1917 during WW1. They were made from dyed cotton, proofed with a rubber compound, "well vulcanized" on one side. Weight 3lb. 8oz;. 78 inches long by 36 inches wide and made by the Victoria Rubber Co. Edinburgh. They were used again during WWII 1939-45 Today the Army uses the hootchie - a sheet of 70D nylon or PU-coated cotton with various press snaps and webbing tape loops attached around the outside which allow it to be used in a variety of configuration. During WWII Australian forces fighting the Japanese in the Islands had an urgent requirement for a decent individual shelter. The rubberized canvas groundsheets and rain capes continued to be used, but these were less than effective in the tropics. Towards the end of the war in the Pacific Australia began issuing its troops a lighter weight version of the groundsheet manufactured from polyurethane-coated cotton – During the Malayan Emergency of the 1950s, Australian troops were issued with hooded ponchos. Unlike the WWII US pattern ponchos which always had a hole in the dead centre of the poncho sheet, the Australian-issue hooded ponchos made an effective shelter – especially when two where clipped together. The problem of course is that the rubberized canvas ponchos were far too heavy for jungle use. 1960s Australian units in Borneo were issued with the first pattern lightweight hootchies. 1 Kg. 1970 the Vietnam War, a second pattern lightweight hootchie was issued made from nylon, but retaining the hardware and loops. This lightweight hootchie weighed a mere 680 grams, still heavy, but suitable for tropical use. Currently the hootchie is made from AUSCAM nylon material . Historic significance; representative of the type believed to have been issued to Australian servicemen in World War II, possibly in World War I.Waterproofed Canvas rain cape, also used as a groundsheet in the Australian Army, press studs to close as a cape, collar to cover neck.NILuniforms, australian army, world war ii, army surplus, scouts australia, bentleigh, moorabbin, world war 1, hooded ponchos, borneo, auscam nylon material, hootchies, malayan emergency, vietnam war, groundsheets

This rubberised waterproof sheet was introduced in 1917 and intended primarily for lying on or wrapping around bedding rolls but it also served as a rudimentary rain coat. Combining two of these sheets made a very primitive bivouac shelter. They soldiered on well into the 1960s in all theatres of war.Waterproof groundsheet/cape, green rubberised material. waterproof

Western Front Digger (Helmet U475, Groundsheet, U074 Jacket, Water bottle EQ063, Tin cup EQ176, Belt EQ050, Trousers U638, Boots U299, Puttees EQ113, Bayonet scabbard)uniform, ww1, army

Ground sheets such as this were typically used as rain protection by German troops. Two or more zeltbahn (ground sheets) could be attached together via the button holes to form a tent for two or more people. Some models of ground sheets, particularly those which are triangular in shape, could also be fashioned into personal raincoats worn by soldiers. Grounds sheets have also been known to have been used to wrap deceased bodies in prioir to burial.This groundsheet, despite a lack of clear provenance, is a representative example of the types of ground sheets used by the German forces during wartime. The zeltbahn (ground sheet) also has social significance in that they were known to have been used to wrap deceased bodies in prior to burial.Large square sheet constructed of biege/brown coloured water resistant material. 67mm hem folded over and sewn along all edges with brown stitching. Metal buttons are spaced at 200mm intervals along parallel edges, next to a button hole which can be used to attach to another ground sheet. Four corners bear a large round eyelet in silver-coloured metal in between three smaller eyelets; two of four corners have short lengths of brown cord attached to these eyelets. One corner has only two smaller eyelets surrounding the larger.Printed in black ink in the centre of the sheet is the incriptions "OVS 1298."ground sheet, zeltbahn, tent, raincoat, german

khakiequipment, 1990, army

Poncho styleuniform, ww1, army

rain cape