In 2014, The Telegraph published a pictorial series showing the kit of a British soldier at various times throughout modern history from The Battle of Hastings to Helmand Province. The actual work was done by well known London based photographer, Thom Atkinson. This author believes that this series merits being re-shown as a definitive reference for military historians, artists, toy soldier, and military miniature collectors. A few of the numerically annotated images were inadvertently cropped, and in one case the image and text (The Alma 1854) were completely omitted. Where possible these have been augmented with full images. Each image can be enlarged by double tapping your mouse.With full acknowledgement and gratitude to the Telegraph and Thom Atkinson, the full series is again presented herein.
The Battle of Alma in 1854
The Battle of the Alma was the first battle of the Crimean War fought between British, French and Turkish troops against the Russians. The allied army defeated the Russians, blocked their advance on Sebastopol, and forced them to retreat, which largely shaped the rest of the Crimean War. The author has lost the numerically annotated image and listing.
Addendum: The following three images, unfortunately without annotated text, are added to at least complete the photographic series. If text is found, will be included.
Norman Knight, Hastings 1066
Longbowman (Yeoman) 100 Years War, Early 15th Century
Private, War of the Spanish Succession, First Decade 18th Century
Second Addendum: An additional set of images from various nations and periods of history
Reconnaissance Soldier, 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment ‘The Poachers’, Exercise Steadfast Defender, 2024
This belongs to a soldier who had his bag packed and was ready to ship off to Poland as part of a Nato exercise A drone, camera and heat map are essential for a reconnaissance soldier. The weapon is a very precise rifle with long-range sight. A Ghillie suit (centre, above the protective vest) acts as camouflage for undercover reccies on the front line.
Ukrainian recruit, Operation Interflex UK-led training, 2024
This brand new kit comes from all over the world, supplied by countries supporting Ukraine – all survival and protection gear, no weapons. It includes a minesweeping kit, entrenching tools, waterproof boots for snow, heavy duty boots for trenches, and trainers. Plus a Ukrainian translation of a book about the Spartans.
Union Army 2nd Sergeant, Battle of Gettysburg, 1863
The American Civil War was a precursor to the First World War; both involved trench fighting and the use of bayonets, such as the one pictured here. Regardless of the country, in the West, says Atkinson, issued kit tend to be very similar. Likewise the creature comforts.
Blackfoot Horse Raider, Montana, 1875
The colourful, decorative nature of this kit belies the fact that it contains the same essentials: food and a way to cook it; tools like a knife or scissors; and warmth with the blankets and furs.
German Private Soldier, Battle of the Somme, 1916
The First World War started with soldiers riding horses and carrying lances, and ended with tanks, artillery and trench warfare. This German uniform is from the latter end of the conflict and contains, says Atkinson, ‘the ghost of the Second World War in there as well – a lot of things stayed the same.’
US Army Paratrooper, Operation Market Garden, 1944
A paratrooper had much more kit than any other soldier, because they were being dropped behind the lines, where they had to survive for longer. ‘You’d get a whole bag strapped to your legs… full of stuff to carry you through a few days.’ The kit here straddles the old and the new: a wooden rifle, but also knuckledusters and grenades.
Close Support Sapper, Royal Engineers, Helmand Province, 2014
No reproduction material here: this is genuine British Army kit. The metal detector would have been used for minesweeping; there are also explosives. Sandals were issued kit; soldiers might have needed to run for cover even when they were showering.
US Marine Machine Gunner, Battle of Hue City, 1968
Weaponry had started to develop by the Vietnam War, with rapid firing weapons like this automatic machine gun. Atkinson adds: ‘I like the camera, because it seems that Vietnam was the first war where you could see it – it was the war of the photojournalist.”
Mladshi Unteroficier, 1st Russian Women’s Battalion of Death, Kerensky Offensive, 1917
‘War is so associated with men in our minds – I find it really moving [to see a woman’s kit]’, says Atkinson. This Russian woman’s uniform, however, is virtually identical to what her male counterpart would have received.
