Kit List

Updated 4 April 2002

The following is a list of the required kit for a Guardsman in the Irish Guards.  If possible, kit may be loaned out to new recruits until all the kit is obtained. 

click below to go to the kit list for each kit.

Winter Walking Out Kit

Winter Field Kit

Summer Walking Out Kit

Summer Field Kit

Winter Walking Out Kit:

Uniform:

• Black Ammo Boots:   Leather soled with a pebble grain finish and a toe cap.  The boots must be hobnailed.  This can be done by the unit.  This walking out pair will be kept spit shined at all times.  British ammo boots are still made for use by the Guards.   The thickness of the leather soles on boots for the Brigade of Guards would be double the thickness of normal boots.  It is not required to have this thickness but highly encouraged.  The boots must be worn ladder laced.  British shoe sizes run ones size bigger than American.  If you are a US size 10 you will wear a British size 9.  There are no half sizes.  Swedish boots of the same style as the British are acceptable.
• Web Anklets:  Sometimes known as gaiters.  Khaki British anklets only are acceptable.  Most have brass buckles but some have steel.  Blackened brass or blackened steel buckles are not acceptable.  Only webbing or brown leather tabs are acceptable.  Black leather or plastic tabs are not.  Canadian anklets can be identified by the brass tips on the ends of the tabs. 
• BD Trousers:  Only British or American War Aid battledress is acceptable.  You may use either the 1937 or 1940 pattern of trousers or the 1949 pattern trousers converted by an approved tailor to the earlier styles.  This pair of trousers will be kept clean and pressed at all times.
• BD Blouse:  Only British or American War Aid battledress is acceptable.  You may use either the 1937 or 1940 pattern of blouse or the 1949 pattern blouse converted by an approved tailor to the earlier styles.  This blouse will be kept clean and pressed at all times.  The Irish Guards shoulder titles and Guards Armoured Division patches will be worn on this uniform and nothing else without express permission.  The blouse will always be worn buttoned and hooked at the neck.  Never open at the neck while walking out.
• Walking Out Web Belt:  A clean khaki web belt with brass fittings or the war-time economy belt with metal fittings and web sliders.  If the brass fittings are used, it will be kept polished at all times.  No blackened brass or blackened steel fittings are acceptable.
• General Service Cap:   Only an original GS Cap or a reproduction from an approved tailor made with original wool is acceptable.  The Irish Guards cap badge will be worn on the cap.  
• Irish Guards Cap Badge:   Only brass badges are acceptable.  No staybright, anodised aluminium, or plastic may be worn.  Silver cap badges are reserved for wear by senior warrant officers and officers.  This cap badge must be highly polished at all times.
• Irish Guards Shoulder Titles:   Modern or original titles may be worn.  They must have rounded and not squared off edges.  They will be worn on each sleeve of the battledress blouse centred at the top of the sleeve where the shoulder meets the sleeve.  The top of the titles will be sewn even with this seam.
• Guards Armoured Division Patches:  Only original or approved reproductions may be worn.  The divisional patch will be worn centred on each sleeve 1-2 inches below the Irish Guards shoulder titles.

Winter Field Kit:

Uniform:

• Black Ammo Boots:  Any black ankle boot with a toe cap is acceptable.  If it is rubber soled, it must be smooth and not treaded.  No speed lacing hooks are allowed.  Hobnailed and leather soled ammo boots are still highly encouraged.  The boots must be worn ladder laced.  British shoe sizes run ones size bigger than American.  If you are a US size 10 you will wear a British size 9.
• Web Anklets:  Sometimes known as gaiters.  Khaki British anklets only are acceptable.  Most have brass buckles but some have steel.  Blackened brass or blackened steel buckles are not acceptable.  Only webbing or brown leather tabs are acceptable.  Black leather or plastic tabs are not.  Canadian anklets can be identified by the brass tips on the ends of the tabs. 
• BD Trousers:  Only British or American War Aid battledress is acceptable.  You may use either the 1937 or 1940 pattern of trousers or the 1949 pattern trousers converted by an approved tailor to the earlier styles.
• BD Blouse:  Only British or American War Aid battledress is acceptable.  You may use either the 1937 or 1940 pattern of blouse or the 1949 pattern blouse converted by an approved tailor to the earlier styles.  The Irish Guards shoulder titles and Guards Armoured Division patches will be worn on this uniform and nothing else without express permission.   The neck may be worn open during tacticals only with an approved scarf or collarless shirt.
• General Service Cap:  This may be the same cap as used in the Winter Walking Out Kit.  See Gereral Service Cap above in Winter Walking Out Kit.
• Irish Guards Cap Badge:   This may be the same cap badge as used in the Winter Walking Out Kit.  See Irish Guards Cap Badge above in Winter Walking Out Kit.
• Irish Guards Shoulder Titles:   Modern or original titles may be worn.  They must have rounded and not squared off edges.  They will be worn on each sleeve of the battledress blouse centred at the top of the sleeve where the shoulder meets the sleeve.  The top of the titles will be sewn even with this seam.
• Guards Armoured Division Patches:  Only original or approved reproductions may be worn.  The divisional patch will be worn centred on each sleeve 1-2 inches below the Irish Guards shoulder titles.

Equipment:

• Helmet:  Any British, Commonwealth or Belgian helmet of the WWII style may be used.  A helmet net is not required but the chin strap must be of the early type with a buckle for adjustment and the internal springs on each end.  No insignia should be on the helmet.
• Enlisted Webbing Set:  The enlisted webbing set must not have blackened brass or blackened steel on any parts.   All metal should be of brass or the war time economy steel.   All fasteners must be of the snap and not the tongue in groove variety.  Post war parts may be used if they are identical to the war time pieces.  This webbing set must be blancoed Khaki Green No 3.  The individual pieces of this webbing set which are required are listed as such:
  • Web Belt:  A khaki web belt with brass fittings or the war-time economy belt with metal fittings and web sliders.
  • Basic Pouches:  Two matching basic pouches with metal attachments at the rear for attachment to the belt and at the top for attachment to the web braces.  They will have snap closures.   Tongue and groove closures are not acceptable.
  • Web Braces:  One web brace will have a loop for the other brace to slip through.  Should be of matching length.
  • Bayonet, Sheath and Frog:   The spike bayonet of any variety is acceptable.  Must have any variety of sheath and webbing frog.
  • Water Bottle and Carrier:  Green enameled water bottle with green felt cover and either the skeletal or sleeve carrier.
  • E-tool, Helve, and Carrier:  The carrier may or may not have a snap to hold the helve handle in the carrier.  The helve handle may or may not have the attachment for the spike bayonet.
  • Small Pack and L-straps:  Must not have any additional loops sewn on to it which were or post-war style.
  • 1943 Pattern Light Respirator Bag:  Only the bag is required.  Not the mask.
• Rifle and bolt with Sling:  The Enfield No 4 Mk I rifle of any manufacture with a khaki web rifle sling.  The sling may not have blackened brass or blackened steel parts.

Summer Walking Out Kit:

Uniform:

• Black Ammo Boots:  This may be the same pair used for the Winter Walking out kit.  See Black Ammo Boots above in Winter Walking out kit.
• Hose Tops:  These are basically knee high socks without the feet folded down at the knees.  Any khaki variety may be worn.
• Web Anklets:  Sometimes known as gaiters.  Khaki British anklets only are acceptable.  Most have brass buckles but some have steel.  Blackened brass or blackened steel buckles are not acceptable.  Only webbing or brown leather tabs are acceptable.  Black leather or plastic tabs are not.  Canadian anklets can be identified by the brass tips on the ends of the tabs. 
• KD Shorts:  Any variety of British manufacture shorts.  Original or reproduction pieces are acceptable.
• KD Shirt:  The pullover airtex or cotton khaki drill shirt.  Half buttons down the front.  Only approved reproductions are accepted.  The Irish Guards shoulder titles will be worn along with 1st Infantry Division slip on insignia.
• Walking Out Web Belt:   This may be the same Walking out web Belt used for the Winter Walking out kit.   See Walking Out Web Belt above in Winter Walking out kit.
• Field Service Cap:  The field service cap must be obtained in a size one bigger than your normal hat size.   The Irish Guards cap badge will be worn on the hat.  Regimental buttons are optional.
• Snap on Shoulder Titles:   Modern or original titles may be worn.  They must have rounded and not squared off edges.  They will be worn on each sleeve of the KD shirt centred at the top of the sleeve where the shoulder meets the sleeve.  The top of the titles will be even with this seam.  They will not be sewn to the shirt.  Two snaps, one on each end of the title, will be used to attach the titles to the shirt.
• Slip on Div Insignia:  A pair of khaki slip on 1st infantry division insignia will be worn on each shoulder strap.
• Irish Guards Cap Badge:   This may be the same cap badge as used in the Winter Walking Out Kit.  See Irish Guards Cap Badge above in Winter Walking Out Kit.

Summer Field Kit:

Uniform:

• A Denim BD Blouse may be worn in place of the wool BD Blouse.
• Denim Trousers may be worn in place of wool BD Trousers.
• No insignia will be worn on the denims.

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