The belt was sized by using hooks fitted to the brass ends of the belt; the ends of the belt were doubled back, and these hooks were then inserted into cloth loops running the length of the interior of the belt. (Postwar versions of this belt had velcro substituted for this system of hooks and loops, both the 1964 Pattern field belt, and later versions of the 1937 Pattern waistbelt issued specifically for walking out, right up into the 1970s).

The belt was secured, normally, by a set of brass buckles with both a male and a female end. These buckles were slipped over the belt, and retained by folding the belt over as described above, and also through the use of a pair of brass "keepers". As the Second World War progressed, the brass buckles, keepers and tabs on most components of web gear were replaced with painted steel, usually of a brown shade resembling tarnished brass.

The cotton webbing was supposed to be treated with "blanco", a form of cleanser that came in cake and powder form which also coloured the webbing. There were several shades, which are not easy to distinguish in black and white period photos, with shade 97 (light green), and shade 3 (Khaki Green) - a shade of dark green - being most common. Other common shades are shown at right (image from the Blanco and Bull website). The "Buff" shade is probably indistinguishable from the colour of raw webbing in photos.

(Photo courtesy Ed Storey).

Contemporary colour photo of British paratrooper, showing webbing treated with KG3 blanco, which appears to be wearing off, showing the raw webbing underneath.

Contemporary colour photo of British armoured crewman, with webbing
treated in what appears to be light khaki green blanco (shade 103).
 

Some units used specially coloured belts - the Canadian Provost Corps used white webbing so that traffic control policemen might be highly visible. White was also a colour traditionally associated with infantry equipment, and for ceremonial purposes, some white belts may have been employed by some units, including musicians. Rifle Regiments traditionally have been associated with black equipment, and some belts may have been blackened by them for ceremonial or walking out purposes in the Second World War.

Two common styles of Brace Attachment existed the "gate" style as shown at left with hinged central bar, and the one piece style shown at right.

Variations on the Basic Pouch. Ed Storey photos.

The contents of the Basic Pouch were usually restricted to ammunition. Loops on the inside of the top flap were designed for .303 calibre ballistite cartridges (used for firing grenades from a cup discharger on the Lee Enfield rifle). The pouches could hold bandoliers of rifle ammunition, various types of grenades, bombs for the 2-inch Mortar, magazines for the Bren Gun or Boyes Anti-Tank Rifle, or magazines for the Thompson machine carbine. When the Sten Gun was introduced it was found the 30 round magazines were too long to allow the Basic Pouch to be done up. A water bottle could also be carried in the pouch, in lieu of suspending it from the brace ends or wearing it in the haversack. Photos below courtesy of Ed Storey.

The length of the Sten Gun magazine shown in the center photograph is evident. While a longer Basic Pouch was designed to accommodate them, few of the new pouches actually saw issue by the end of the war.

Slipped over the waistbelt and worn on the left hip to carry the bayonet. The early bayonet frog was designed for the long sword bayonet used on the No.1 Mk III Lee Enfield. This frog was also modified for use for the smaller spike bayonet used on the No. 4 Mk 1 Lee Enfield. The method of conversion was usually to poke a hole in the uppermost web loop in order to secure the retaining post on the bayonet sheath. Unlike the 1908 pattern frog upon which it was patterned, the 1937 frog had a small loop near the top to secure the handle of the bayonet in place.

A purpose built web frog, similar in appearance to the earlier one but much smaller, was introduced by Canadian manufacturers.

Several variants were used during the war; when the first No. 4 rifles were introduced, the older bayonet frogs were sometimes used to carry the new spike bayonet in.

Fitted to the waistbelt as part of the basic Officer's set, on the right front. Used to carry one pair of 6 x 30 issue binoculars. Generally discarded in the field in favour of slinging the binos around the neck. Not only did it draw the attention of snipers, but the stiff construction made it difficult to go to ground. The second pattern had two 1-inch buckles on the side of the case, the first pattern did not.

The haversack, or "small pack", could be worn suspended on the brace ends below the waist, as was done in full marching order, or worn on the back with the addition of a pair of "L" shaped straps (which were interchangeable with the Large Pack. The haversack was originally intended to carry the water bottle and mess tin (and had internal pockets for same) though these were often worn outside the haversack in web carriers, especially by infantrymen. The haversack was used to carry necessities for a 24 hour period; photo at right (courtesy Ed Storey) shows some typical contents, including white towel, sweater, wool shirt, water bottle, mess tin, knife/fork/spoon, spare socks, rations, and shaving holdall. Other contents might include cleaning kit, polishing kit, housewife, iron ration, or spare ammunition. As well, the groundsheet was carried by regulation in the haversack and tucked under the flap. In action, it was often left with personal kit in the unit baggage, and the rain cape substituted as a waterproof garment, despite repeated orders not to undertake that practice.

The Large Pack remained unchanged from 1908 Pattern Web Equipment and was primarily used when changing station or transferring between units. Normally, the pack was left with unit transport, and contained items necessary but not immediately needed, such as sports clothing, sleeping gear (blankets) and greatcoat rolled and attached to the outside, spare Battle Dress, etc. The "L" straps used with the haversack were also used on the large pack, attaching to the large brass tags on the upper rear of the pack, and interfacing with the blanket straps via 1-inch buckles.

The 1908 Pattern Large Pack came with two blanket straps, these were used to attach not just the blanket, but also the greatcoat and steel helmet to the outside of the large pack when in full marching order. The blanket straps were probably also adopted to a variety of other tasks, such as securing the gas cape to the waistbelt when in Fighting Order.

Since many of the First World War-vintage .455 revolvers were still in use during the Second World War, a pattern of holster was made to accommodate such revolvers (e.g. the Canadian-issue .455 S&W Hand Ejector) with British/Commonwealth P'37 webbing. Made with an internal slot for a cleaning rod. Shown mounted on a P"37 web belt, with revolver cartridge pouch attached (which, in this configuration, would in turn be attached to the shoulder brace.) Various manufacturers - this example was made by Zephyr Loom and Textile Limited - Canada's primary WWII web equipment manufacturer; marked "Z. L. & T. Ltd" and dated 1942. Photo by Grant Rombough.

Standard P'37 Web Equipment "pistol case", designed to fit the British .380 Enfield revolver and, in the Canadian context, our standard-issue .38/.380 S&W M&P revolvers. Made with an internal slot for a cleaning rod. Also known to have been used with the 9mm Inglis High Power. Various manufacturers - this particular example made by "Z. L. & T. Ltd" and dated 1940. Photo by Grant Rombough.

A special holster pattern introduced with the P'37 Equipment as the "Pistol Case R.A.C.", i.e. for use by Royal Armoured Corps personnel. Note the six cartridge loops and external cleaning rod slot. Also designed to accommodate the .38 caliber revolvers, it hung well below the waistbelt and was kept snug to the leg by the thigh strap; this configuration was intended to minimize interference in going through armoured vehicle hatches. Not a particularly successful or popular design, it was replaced by the shortened and simplified pattern shown below. Many of the earlier pattern were converted to this configuration, with the result that this type is now relatively scarce. Various manufacturers - this particular example, a first pattern holster, was made by "Z. L. & T. Ltd." and dated 1940. Photo by Grant Rombough.

This is the simplified, shortened version of the Armoured Corps holster mentioned above. Various manufacturers. This particular example is well used, and any maker stamp and date is no longer visible. (Note: this modified pattern holster appears to be non-Canadian manufacture, likely British. Canadian web-equipment, though made to standard P'37 dimensions, is generally easily recognized by its noticeably more "golden" hue.) Photo by Grant Rombough.

"Holster No. 1" (made to specifications supplied by China) for the Inglis High Power pistols supplied to them. Internal compartments for cleaning rod and spare magazine. These holsters were also utilized by Canadian and other Commonwealth troops. They were not popular, being excessively stiff, and too tight - such that it was difficult to insert and remove the pistol, or even to secure the flap over the pistol. Made by "Z. L. & T. Ltd."; this example is dated 1944. Photo by Grant Rombough.

Canadian-designed "Type F" or "No. 2" holster for Inglis semi-automatic pistol. Double flap closure, and also has internal compartments for cleaning rod and spare magazine. Manufactured by "Z. L. & T. Ltd."; this example is dated 1945. Photo by Grant Rombough.

The standard service respirator at the start of the Second World War had changed little from that worn in 1918. The large rubberized mask was connected to a filter by means of a rubberized hose; both were carried in a canvas satchel. This respirator case could be worn in the "alert" position on the upper chest, or slung over the shoulder.

In 1943, a "Light Respirator" was introduced, with a filter integral to the face mask. A much smaller respirator case, also in canvas, was introduced. The case measured 9-3/4 inches by 5-1/4 inches by 5 inches and was suspended on a narrow web strap over the hip. By 1943, very often the light respirator was left with unit transport as the threat of enemy gas attacks was deemed low.

Drill order, consisting of belt and side arms (bayonet, or pistol for officers) was used on special parades and duties in camp/barracks. Jack Summers noted in The Tangled Web that "This order has come to be associated with ceremonial parades and duties, but in wartime many ceremonial parades...were performed in battle order with respirators at the alert!"

Battle Order, as originally conceived, was designed so as not to have anything hanging below the waistbelt; the water bottle was to be carried in the haversack.

In reality, the haversack was usually filled to capacity, leaving no room for the water bottle. It, and the entrenching tool were usually suspended below the waisbelt on the brace ends.

Variations on wearing the web equipment began to evolve while the Canadians trained in England, as Battle Drill put men and gear through increasingly more challenging situations. In Sicily, however, contacts with battle experienced soldiers of the British 8th Army led to quick revisions in how best to carry equipment in action, leading to the adoption of "Fighting Order." The small pack, or haversack, was quickly discarded due to its distinctive outline and the mess tins were instead added to a water-bottle carrier, and worn suspended from the brace-ends, in a spare water bottle carrier, on the left side of the waistbelt, opposite the water bottle. The gas cape was used to wrap spare clothing, rations and kit, then tied to the back of the waistbelt with spare blanket straps.