Soldiers' kit from 1066 to 2014

[Still Waters]

While the First World War was the first modern war, as the Somme kit illustrates, it was also primitive. Along with his gas mask a private would be issued with a spiked 'trench club' - almost identical to medieval weapons.

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http://www.telegraph...66-to-2014.html

[freetoroam]

While the First World War was the first modern war, as the Somme kit illustrates, it was also primitive.

http://www.telegraph...66-to-2014.html

The kits may not be as primitive anymore, but the mentality of war is still just as primitive. Today we just got better equipment to kill with.

[Taun]

Very interesting collection... I wonder if it will go on permanent display - or if the pieces will be returned to the donors...

Also - it's interesting to note that while the amount of gear in the "kit" has increased, the weight is about the same as a Roman legionnaire would have carried... As technology lightens the

infantryman's load - the demands of fighting a higher tech war increase the quantity of the load...

-Stillwaters... The American Civil War was called the first "modern war" (and the last ancient war)... The Crimean War (there's an ominous name these days!) was close to being it, due to steam powered ships (some anyway)

the telegraph and somewhat more widespread use of rifled muskets.. but the tactics had never evolved from Napoleonic warfare, and "modern weapons" (breech loading-rifles, snap ring bayonets, breach loading artillery) were

not used in any great numbers... Britains first modern war was probably the Zulu Wars...or the Sudan Campaign to avenge Gordon...

[dr no]

1066-the last time Britain got invaded,not bad for a small island

[Ealdwita]

1066-the last time Britain got invaded,not bad for a small island

If you ignore the French invasion of Fishguard in 1797.

[questionmark]

1066-the last time Britain got invaded,not bad for a small island

Not quite, the Dutch occupied Sheppey for two days in 1667...

[Ealdwita]

Not quite, the Dutch occupied Sheppey for two days in 1667...

Yup...that too...I completely forgot about Sheerness. Well spotted.