13 replies to this topic

[Andyshep]

I hope I've put this in the right place.
Looking for pictorial reference for the so called 'leg-iron' worn by Royal Artillery drivers to stop their right legs being crushed between a pair of horses. I know it's mostly steel with leather straps but some of the reference I've seen seems to contradict itself in terms of how much of each material is used. This could of course be down to different patterns of the gaiter. I know there's one on display at the R.A museum in London (I'm in Glasgow) and the clearest example of one is on the R.A memorial at Hyde Park Corner but again, it's hard to decipher what is what.

Any help would be appreciated.

Andy

[michaeldr]

Here's a blow-up from the RA Memorial if it will help in any way




Good luck
Michael

[Andyshep]

Hi Michael
Thanks for the excellent enlargement. I spent several hours last night on the web looking for images and descriptions and I think I've got it. The legging gaiter is made of stiff leather and the only metal part is the raised strip that travels from the knee to the ankle.
Just have to make it now!

Andy

[michaeldr]

Andy,

The enlargement is from one of my own shots: I just happened to pick the right angle for you
Glad to have been of some help here

regards
Michael

[Andyshep]

Really appreciate it. It's a great shot.

[squirrel]

Leg iron worn by the number 3 driver, or wheeler (driving the pair nearest the limber), to stop his leg being crushed by the pole on tight turns.

[johnreed]

Here is a photo of it.

John

Attached Files

•  Leg Iron.jpg   82.97K   2 downloads

[Andyshep]

John
That's excellent. Thanks very much.

Andy

[Andyshep]

I contacted the R.A. Museum in London to ask if they had any reference for the leg iron and had a very nice reply from Mr. Paul Evans in the library at Woolwich.
Here's what he sent me:


(Image copyright RAHT)


(Image copyright RAHT)


(Image copyright RAHT)


(Image copyright RAHT)

Thought these would be an interesting addition to the already exhaustive archive of WW1 equipment here.
Many thanks to Paul Evans for his invaluable assistance.

Andy

[squirrel]

Great photos and thanks for posting them.

[Bruce n]

I'll attached a Commonwealth of Australia Department of Defence tender specification circa 1913 for leggings, Drivers Mark II, which pretty well match the photo's.
 30.1.jpg   183.26K   3 downloads

[Andyshep]

That's a great narrative to go with the photos. I don't think we can get more comprehensive than that.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far.

[RobL]

Stunning - very nice of the RA Museum to go to such effort, many museums wouldn't

[Andyshep]

I wasn't expecting such a helpful reply mainly due to, as you say, the fact most museums don't bother even to reply. I was first offered the opportunity to view the gaiter but as I'm in Glasgow that wouldn't have been possible, so I was delighted to receive the photos. It certainly made my Monday. Once again a big thankyou to Mr Evans for going out of his way to help me out.