Historical information

Owner unknown. The entrenching tool was a standard issue to Infantry men during World War Two. Then entrenching tool cover held the helve of the tool on the outside and the tool was held on the inside. Soldiers regularly carried other items in the entrenching tool cover, for example shoe polish, rifle pull-throughs, shaving kit. The personal entrenching tool allowed soldiers to dig shell scrapes and holes when larger picks and shovels were either not appropriate or unavailable. The pattern of the entrenching tool cover was known as 37.

Significance

The entrenching tool was a standard issue item to Infantrymen in World War 2. The entrenching tool cover allowed for the storage of the tool on the inside and the helve on the outside. The 37 pattern used for this entrenching tool cover had a number of improvements from the previous pattern, including versatility of position when carrying on webbing. The 37 pattern was used by UK and Commonwealth Forces.

Physical description

Kidney shaped webbing bag. Twigg buckles to allow for attachment to webbing. A longer strap and buckle on the front side to allow for the holding of the helve of the entrenching tool.

Inscriptions & markings

D (broad arrow) D indicating Department of Defence
RMB
1945
Picture of Crown?