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Uniform Accoutrements - Issued Boots World War 1 and Until 1941

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Overview

The Australian Army boot issued during World war 1 was an ankle length brown leather boot without toecap. The number of eyelets varied between six and nine pairs depending on size and manufacturer. Soles and heels were of leather, originally with reinforcing nails, before toe and heel plates were added in around 1916. Up until 1916, Australian boots were not hobnailed nor did they use heel or toe plates. The boots did have small rectangular nails on the sole and heel of the boot. These nails were intended to reduce the wear of the leather of the soles.

Historical information

In the First World War, historian Charles Bean described the footwear of the First AIF, simply as being like a "workman's boot". Volume 1 of the Official History of World War 1 (Page 63), states that the boots were as pliable as civilian boots and far stouter. It was also said that in France, countless favours were obtained in exchange for Australian boots, such were their popularity amongst English troops. This basic design with only minor modifications (i.e. number of eyelets etc) was in military service prior to 1914 and remained so, up until 1941.
The boot upper merely consisted of two pieces of leather stitched together (a toe section and the main ‘body' of the boot) with a third piece stitched over the heel - as reinforcing to the back of the boot. There was no toe cap, subsequently the boot had a ‘soft toe' appearance. All of this, stitched onto a full leather sole some with and some without a metal heel plate.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-892

Contextual Information

All boots displayed with World War 1 uniforms on mannequins at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia are replicas. Boots were useful for civilian wear and work after repatriation and often used until no longer serviceable. A number of riding boots or "boots, lion-tamers" worn by officers are on separate display. Leather leggings of the Stowasser pattern on display with Light Horse mannequins or stretcher bearers are original to the period.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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