| Place | Europe: Western Front |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/04214.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Cotton, Cotton tape |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
P gas hood carry bag : Private J A K Pratt, 2/Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), British Army
Description
The carry bag is worn and is made from cotton that is suffering from mildew damage. It has a large vertical tear on one side. A partially torn mustard coloured cotton tape strap is attached to the carry bag at one end to act as a shoulder strap. A pair of cotton tapes attached to the folding flap secure the contents of the carry bag.
History / Summary
During the First World War the British response to German gas attacks evolved to deal with the increasing range of chemical agents the Germans were introducing.
One response was the 'P' hood or 'Tube helmet' in 1915. This bag held one of these gas hoods and was collected by Private James Arthur Kirby Pratt of the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) British Army in 1915.
Pratt was born in Derby, England on 20 December 1896 and he was working as a shop assistant when he enlisted in the British Army on 12 August 1914, aged 18. He was allocated the regimental number of 3886. Pratt saw service with on the Western Front and survived the war. At some stage after the war he immigrated to Australia.
He enlisted into the Australian Army Militia in Queensland early in the Second World War with the service number Q67091. He transferred to the Australian Imperial Force on 18 March 1941 in Brisbane and was allocated the new service number, QX38812. Pratt was discharged from the Second AIF with the rank of warrant officer class 1 on Christmas Day 1942.