Name/Title
Water bottle and leather carrier c1939Entry/Object ID
69Description
Dark blue enamelled military style water bottle, with dark blue fabric cover and white metal topped cork stopper, in black leather harness.Use
To be carried for drinking waterContext
Historically the UK police have not had water bottles as part of their normal uniform equipment. Bottles such as this however were standard issue to the St. John's Ambulance Brigade during the Second World War, a voluntary organisation which assists with first aid services and training to this day. Before and during the war the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, along with the Red Cross, played a key role in training the public and the emergency services in first aid, as well as providing first aid on the Home Front, especially in the aftermath of air raids.
This type of water bottle, is probably a Mark 7 military example which date from 1939. When found in a blue cover and held in a 1905 military leather bottle holder such as this, they formed part of the St. John's uniform equipment. If this item originated from Sussex Police, it was most likely acquired during the war when the police were working closely with the Civil Defence services, which included the St John's Ambulance Brigade, and who were often trained in first aid by them.