| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Aisne, St Quentin |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM00998 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Canvas, Cotton, Kapok |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Sinai Palestine 1918: Final Battles |
| Maker |
Boddy Pty Ltd |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1910-1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Lifejacket : 46th (North Midland) Division, British Army
Description
Cotton canvas lifejacket with kapok filling. Stamped on the front with black ink is 'ADULT OR CHILD / 'BODDY' / LIFE JACKET / FRONT'.
History / Summary
Lifejacket used by members of the British 46th (North Midland) Division in the crossing of the St. Quentin Canal on 29 September 1918. It was found at St. Souplet, 20 miles from the Canal, in November 1918 and had apparently been used as a pillow.
The British 46th (North Midland) Division was a 1st Line Territorial Force Division in the First World War. In February 1915 it was sent to France and served on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.
On 29 September 1918, the Division used lifejackets and collapsible boats to cross the St. Quentin Canal. They used scaling ladders to surmount the steep gradient of the opposite bank and captured multiple hostile machine gun posts covering that point.
The Territorial Army was reformed in 1921-22 but the 46th Division was disbanded in 1936.