Pair of Australian issue leather leggings

Pair of brown leather Australian issue leggings. The leggings are formed from a single panel of shaped leather. The panel is shaped to fit the contour of the lower leg and overlaps at the centre back. Attached at the lower edge is a single strap of leather which winds around the legging and feeds through two flat loops which have been rivetted to the front. At the top of the outer sides of both leggings is a leather securing tab with two buckles. The lower secures the strap and the upper secures a second, shorter strap that wraps around the calf. Incised on the inside of the long leather straps of both leggings is 'E A BAXTER'. Inscribed on the left legging at the top of the proper left side of the centre back is '[illegible]RSHALL / [illegible] CO LTD / [illegible]'. Inscribed at right is the number 4. Below this is inscribed '[broad arrow symbol] over W.K'. Inscribed on the right legging at the top of the proper right side of the centre back 'M[illegible]HALL / SH[illegible]E CO [illegible] / 1916. Left is '14'. Below is inscribed '[broad arrow symbol] over W.K.' The leather has faded around the straps.

These leggings may have been worn by 31196 Gunner Elliot Allen Baxter, 13th Field Artillery Brigade. The artillery were known to have used such leggings during the First World War, as were more well known units such as the Australian Light Horse.