Puttee Collection

British Army uniforms, 1933. Creator: Unknown
British Army uniforms, 1933. " Tommy s" New Uniform [left]: The tight " soldierly" collar is replaced by an open-necked shirt

French army uniforms, World War One, 1914. Uniforms of the French infantry at the start of the war

Theatre for the Armies of the Republic, French soldier kissing the hand of an actress, 1917 (colour litho)
661491 Theatre for the Armies of the Republic, French soldier kissing the hand of an actress, 1917 (colour litho) by Arnoux

The Song of the Poilus, Collection of songs and poems written and sung by Lucien Boyer in the armies of the Republic
661492 The Song of the Poilus, Collection of songs and poems written and sung by Lucien Boyer in the armies of the Republic, published by Francis Salabert, Paris (colour litho) by Arnoux

Theatre for the Armies, front cover illustration from La Baionnette, No 82, 25th January 1917 (colour litho)
661490 Theatre for the Armies, front cover illustration from La Baionnette, No 82, 25th January 1917 (colour litho) by Arnoux, Guy (1886-1951); Private Collection; (add.info.: le theatre aux Armees)

The Soldier Ploughman, 1917 (colour litho)
698827 The Soldier Ploughman, 1917 (colour litho) by Arnoux, Guy (1886-1951); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; (add.info.: soldat laboureur;); © Archives Charmet

Photographic postcard of soliders in World War One at Verdun, July 2018. Creator: Unknown
A photographic postcard of Oscar Calmeise (far right) and five other unidentified soldiers during World War One. The group is posed sitting atop a pile of stones in Verdun, France

The Poilus Achievements, pushing the German beyond the Rhine, cover of a boardgame
698826 The Poilus Achievements, pushing the German beyond the Rhine, cover of a boardgame, c.1914-15 (colour litho) by French School

Soldiers marching in shorts in Wales, September 1939
British soldiers marching in Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. The Sphere comments on their bare knees and puttees but assures the reader of their spirit and ability

Colouring book for children, The Relief of Poilus, 1917 (colour litho)
698825 Colouring book for children, The Relief of Poilus, 1917 (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: album a colorier)

Trying to sell British soldiers swagger sticks
Very good, very nice sticks -- two Egyptian street traders try to sell British soldiers sticks or riding crops, while an elderly Jewish trader holds up a flag of the Allies

The War in the Soudan, making Clothing at Pimlico for the Troops going to Souakim (engraving)
1590982 The War in the Soudan, making Clothing at Pimlico for the Troops going to Souakim (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in the Soudan)

French troops shaking hands and giving floral bouquets to the Indian soldiers as they make their way to their forward camp. Frances admiration for the Indian troops is absolutely boundless

Troops from the 3rd Indian Division moving up to the front admire the statue of a " French Soldier Firing" as they pass by

Frances admiration for the Indian troops is absolutely boundless. Wherever they go they are given bouquets of fresh flowers, while the people stand at their doorways with baskets of fruit

Soldiers from the 3rd Lahore Indian Division seen here with mules loaded with bails of hay making their way up to the front. Circa October 1914

Group of youthful admirers. Lessons are interrupted to enable the children to offer their welcome. Frances admiration for the Indian troops is absolutely boundless

Elements of the 3rd Lahore Indian Division seen here moving up to the front. Circa October 1914

Soldiers from the 3rd Lahore Indian Division seen here at the railway station at Orleans, France. Circa October 1914, prior to them going up to the front

This simple cross marks the last German grave on the road to Paris. Circa October 1914

Royal Marine of the Naval Brigade seen here talking to two women ambulance drivers on the outskirts of Antwerp. Circa October 1914

Advert for Foxs spiral puttees 1899
Foxs new patent spiral puttee, spiralling from the ankle to the knee. Date: 1899

A Standing Grenadier of the Municipal Guard, 1891. Creator
A Standing Grenadier of the Municipal Guard, 1891

Gent from Buckeburg, Germany - in Lower Saxony on the border with North Rhine Westphalia. Date: circa 1920

Lieutenant Kent receiving the Military Cross, First World War, 1915-1916, (c1920)
Lieutenant Kent receiving the Military Cross, Western Front, First World War, 1915-1916, (c1920). Canadian soldier Stanley H Kent distinguished himself both in raiding the enemys trenches

Territorials from Summer Camp - Terriers entraining at Waterloo, 1914-1918, (1933). British soldiers from the Territorial Army boarding trains at Waterloo Station in London

Troops of the Sirhind Brigade, Flanders, First World War, 1914, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
Troops of the Sirhind Brigade, Flanders, First World War, 1914, (c1920). The Struggle for Givenchy: Part of the Sirhind Brigade which took part in the desperate fighting round the Indian positions in

Types of the British Army, 1919. Creator: Richard Simkin
Types of the British Army, 1919. Soldiers serving in the First World War, 1914-1919: Royal Dublin Fusiliers (service dress)

The Fifth Gurkhas, 1901. Creator: F Bremner
The Fifth Gurkhas, 1901. Nepalese soldiers during the period of the British Raj. Gurkha soldiers have been recruited to the British Army since the 19th century

The Central India Horse, 1901. Creator: F Bremner
The Central India Horse, 1901. Indian soldiers during the period of the British Raj. The Central India Horse was a cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army

Types of the Indian Army, 1919. Creator: Richard Simkin
Types of the Indian Army, 1919. Soldiers serving during the First World War, 1914-1919: Sepoys - 2nd Gurkha Rifles, 4th DO (service kit); Sowar (Sikh)

Model of a Carolingian cavalryman (mixed media) (b / w photo)
XIR217830 Model of a Carolingian cavalryman (mixed media) (b/w photo) by French School; Musee de l Armee, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

Indian camel trooper, Baghdad, 1918

The hot soup man at the front, First World War, 1916, (c1920). Illustration from The Illustrated War Record of the Most Notable Episodes in the Great European War 1914-1918, seventh edition

Body armour of the German Sturmtruppen (Storm Troops), Verdun, 1917, (1926)
Body armour of the German Sturmtruppen (Storm Troops), Verdun, France, First World War, 1917

Stretcher-bearers in a trench, south of Cornillet, First World War, 20 May 1917

The Prince of Wales at the Italian front, 1917. The future King Edward VIII during the First World War. Illustration from George V and Edward VIII, A Royal Souvenir, by FGH Salusbury

Advert for Foxs Puttees 1914
Advertisement for Foxs Puttees, with the new non-fray patented spiral, declared, the best leg gear for sport. Of course, within months

WWI: MOHAWK TROOPS. Native American troops of the Mohawk tribe serving with the Canadian Corps on the Western Front during World War I. Photograph, c1916

A Kenyan Askari - Nairobi, Kenya (then British East Africa), standing to rigid attention in full ceremonial costume Date: 1918

World War One Training
British soldiers on rifle practice. They are all wearing puttees (cloth wound round the lower part of the legs to support the ankles and to keep dirt out of their boots)

Soldier with a bicycle. Date: 20th century

WW1 - Brother, Sister and partners before outbreak of war
A poignant and touching photograph taken on the eve of the First World War as two couples (a brother and sister (far left and second from right)

Khaki puttee footless stockings, WW1
Pattern for some khaki puttee hand knitted stockings to make for soldiers during the First World War to replace shop-bought puttees. Date: c.1915

British Army Issue puttee-winding machine stamped with War Department broad arrow and dated 1918. |The puttee was adopted because of its protection against snake bites in India

Advert for Foxs Puttees military authorities 1914
Advert for Foxs puttees in 1914 asking for the indulgence of private clients should any delay occur in delivery because of the heavy demands of the military authorities. Date: 1914

The Practical Puttee, WW1
Humorous illustration depicting various uses for the puttee, the binding used by soldiers, and particularly officers, to keep warmth in and dirt out of boots during World War I. Date: 1915

WORLD WAR I: INDIAN TROOPS. Indian troops reading illustrated newspapers in their own language while stationed in France during World War I. Photograph, c1916

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"Puttee: A Timeless Symbol of Courage and Camaraderie" Step back in time to the early 20th century with a trade catalogue of cycle accessories from 1911, where you'll find a mention of "puttees. " These sturdy leg wrappings were not just practical but also fashionable, as evidenced by an advert for Foxs Puttees in 1914. During World War I, puttees became an integral part of soldiers' uniforms. In a vivid colour lithograph titled "Theatre for the Armies of the Republic, " we witness a poignant moment between a French soldier and an actress. The soldier kisses her hand while wearing his puttees—a symbol of resilience amidst chaos. Lucien Boyer's collection of songs and poems called "The Song of the Poilus" captures the spirit and emotions experienced by soldiers on the frontlines during this tumultuous period. Published in Paris, these heartfelt compositions are accompanied by striking colour lithographs that depict soldiers proudly donning their puttees. In another illustration from La Baionnette magazine, we glimpse into a theatre performance designed exclusively for soldiers—an escape from war's harsh realities. Meanwhile, "The Soldier Ploughman, " depicted in vibrant colours, showcases how even amidst conflict, life goes on—puttees serving as reminders that duty calls beyond battlefields. Photographic postcards offer glimpses into history; one such card shows soldiers at Verdun in July 2018. Their worn-out puttees tell tales untold—their journeys etched onto fabric wrapped around weary legs. Board games like "The Poilus Achievements" celebrate victories against Germany—depicting troops pushing beyond Rhine boundaries while sporting their trusty puttees. As time progressed and conflicts evolved, British soldiers marching in shorts during September 1939 still wore their iconic leg wrappings—a testament to tradition enduring through changing times.