Pattern 1903 - 90 round bandolier : Bombadier Karl Klu, 1 Divisional Ammunition Column, AIF

Pattern 1903, brown leather 90 round (nine pouch) bandolier, Mark II. The pouches are designed to hold 10 rounds of .303 calibre ammunition in two chargers. A small internal guard strap prevents the second charger from falling out when the first has been removed. Both the strap and the pouch flap are secured to a brass post on the front of the body of the pouch. The pouches are attached to a curved strap, designed to fit the shape of the wearer's shoulder, by means of four copper rivets per pouch. The strap, which is partially voided behind each row of pouches, is cut in two pieces and is joined by three rivets behind the fifth pouch on the front. The section of strap which passes around the back of the wearer can be adjusted for length at the left side waist by means of a brass buckle. The end of the loop formed by the strap and buckle bears a brass triangle. The opposing end of the bandolier has a single brass buckle. Attached to this, with four rivets, is a leather strap which is passes through the brass triangle and is looped back to the buckle. Stamped on leather inbetween the first pouch and buckle on the proper right side is 'C.G.H.F.' over '[broad arrow symbol]'. Stamped underneath lether strap and buckle on proper right is '[broad arrow symbol] above 'S'.

This bandolier was worn by 3236 Bombardier Karl Klu, 1 Divisional Ammunition Column (D.A.C.) during his service in the field. He would have used this to carry ammunition for his Lee-Enfield rifle.

Klu enlisted on 16 September 1914 and joined 2 Field Artillery Brigade (F.A.B.) reinforcements. He was transferred to 1 D.A.C. on 13 February 1915 and was transferred to Gallipoli on 14 July 1915. He was transferred to 3 F.A.B. and taken on strength (T.O.S.) by 3 D.A.C. on 6 September 1915, disembarking in Alexandria, Egypt from Gallipoli on 16 December 1915. On 11 March 1916 he was mustered as a driver in France and disembarked in Marseilles on the 29th of that month. Klu was later transferred to and T.O.S. by 1 D.A.C. on 15 May 1916. On 24 January 1916 he was transferred to 1 Sub Section. Apart from periods of leave, Klu spent the rest of his service in France before embarking for Australia on 13 October 1918.

First introduced in September 1903 the nine pouch bandolier, worn over the left shoulder, with five pouches to the front and four to the back, was designed for use by the light horse. The first, Mark I version, featured a double buckle fastening and had no triangle. The second, Mark II version, of which this is an example, was introduced at the end of 1905 and was usually worn by members of the light horse until 1942. As demonstrated by Klu's bandolier, it was also worn by members of the artillery. The Mark II substituted a triangle and single buckle in place of the original double buckle. Although the 50 round (five pouch) bandolier of the 1903 pattern bandolier equipment carried a steadying strap to prevent the bandolier slipping, this was not used on the nine pouch bandolier which had to be quickly pulled around the body to give access to ammunition carried on the wearer's back.