Puttees

This object relates to the service of William Rawlings, Douglas Grant, Harry Murray, Richard Kirby and Daniel Hodgekiss.

A puttee is a cloth band that was wound round a soldier’s leg from their ankle to their knee. Worn in the First World War, they were designed to provide support when walking, and to protect against harsh weather conditions.

Private William Rawlings and Private Daniel Hodgekiss were both admitted to hospital with trench foot during their service on the Western Front. The primary causes were wet feet and unsanitary conditions but puttees were also partly to blame. Why?

Return to Memorial Box 3 object list