Ammunition boots
Encyclopedia
Ammunition boots, also known as Boots, General Service (BGS), were the standard footwear
for the British Army
from the Victorian Era until the late 1950s.
The term "Ammunition boots" comes from the boots' unusual source; they were procured by the Master Gunner and the Munitions Board at Woolwich
(the Regiment of Artillery's headquarters) rather than Horse Guards
(the headquarters of the British Army).
Ammunition boots were unlined ankle-boot
s with leather laces, "pebble-grained" (dimpled) leather
uppers and sides, leather toe cap and heel cap, iron heel-plate and toe-plate, and an iron-studded leather sole
. They were designed to be hard-wearing and long-lasting rather than comfortable.
The studded soles made a loud crunching sound when the wearer was marching, earning them the nickname "crunchies".
During World War I
, a pattern of ammunition boot with woven cotton laces and lacking the leather toe cap was created to save leather and increase production. During World War II
, a similar pattern was used by the Royal Air Force
, the Royal Marines
, and the Canadian Army.
Soldiers were issued two pairs, both made with a black finish. There was a brief period (1908 to 1914) where they were issued one pair finished in black for parade and drill and one pair finished in brown for fatigue duty and field service, but wartime
manufacture forced the reversion to black leather for Other Ranks. Officers, who purchased their own uniforms, were still required to wear brown boots and matching leather Sam Browne belt
with their field service uniform, marking them apart from their men. Their boots had heel plates, but lacked the sole studs and toe plates.
and attention. Achieving a high polish
was often the aim and required hours of "bulling" (vigorous polishing) until it achieved a deep sheen. Experienced soldiers would "burn-down" the dimpled surface of the boots with beeswax and a heated spoon to make them smooth and easier to shine.
Although the ammo boots were no longer standard-issue, there were still remaining stocks. Regulars were issued one pair of ammunition boots and one pair of DMS boots well into the late 1960s.
The Guards Division
continued to wear ammunition boots for ceremonial
and drill duties. Around the late 1980s, the Guards' ammunition boots were replaced by boots known as "Drill Boots"—similar boots made specifically for drill with some minor variations.
In 1983, the DMS was replaced with the "Boot, Combat, High" (BCH). They were high-lacing versions of the DMS (omitting the leather toe-cap) that went up to mid-calf. These boots were replaced as the DMS was the cause of so many soldiers becoming unfit during the Falklands campaign. These boots had no arch support and were not waterproof not lined. Subsequently they caused trenchfoot and also when loaded with packs of over 100lbs and maybe 150lbs the lack of arch support crippled the feet of many. Battle for the Falklands: Land forces By William Fowler, Mike Chappell
Footwear
Footwear consists of garments worn on the feet, for fashion, protection against the environment, and adornment. Being barefoot is commonly associated with poverty, but some cultures chose not to wear footwear at least in some situations....
for the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
from the Victorian Era until the late 1950s.
The term "Ammunition boots" comes from the boots' unusual source; they were procured by the Master Gunner and the Munitions Board at Woolwich
Royal Arsenal
The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, originally known as the Woolwich Warren, carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. It was sited on the south bank of the River Thames in Woolwich in south-east London, England.-Early history:The Warren...
(the Regiment of Artillery's headquarters) rather than Horse Guards
Horse Guards (building)
Horse Guards is a large grade I listed building in the Palladian style between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade in London, England. It was built between 1751 and 1753 by John Vardy to a design by William Kent. The building was constructed on the site of the Guard House of the old Whitehall Palace,...
(the headquarters of the British Army).
Ammunition boots were unlined ankle-boot
Boot
A boot is a type of footwear but they are not shoes. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece....
s with leather laces, "pebble-grained" (dimpled) leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
uppers and sides, leather toe cap and heel cap, iron heel-plate and toe-plate, and an iron-studded leather sole
Sole (foot)
The sole is the bottom of the foot.In humans the sole of the foot is anatomically referred to as the plantar aspect. The equivalent surface in ungulates is the hoof.- Human sole :...
. They were designed to be hard-wearing and long-lasting rather than comfortable.
The studded soles made a loud crunching sound when the wearer was marching, earning them the nickname "crunchies".
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, a pattern of ammunition boot with woven cotton laces and lacking the leather toe cap was created to save leather and increase production. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a similar pattern was used by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
, and the Canadian Army.
Soldiers were issued two pairs, both made with a black finish. There was a brief period (1908 to 1914) where they were issued one pair finished in black for parade and drill and one pair finished in brown for fatigue duty and field service, but wartime
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
manufacture forced the reversion to black leather for Other Ranks. Officers, who purchased their own uniforms, were still required to wear brown boots and matching leather Sam Browne belt
Sam Browne belt
The Sam Browne belt is a wide belt, usually leather, which is supported by a strap going diagonally over the right shoulder. It is most often seen as part of a military or police uniform.-Origins:...
with their field service uniform, marking them apart from their men. Their boots had heel plates, but lacked the sole studs and toe plates.
Polishing
The boots were the focus of much drillDrill commands
Drill commands are generally used with a group that is marching, most often in military foot drill or marching band. All branches of the military use drill commands.-Command voice:Drill commands are best given when the person has an excellent command voice...
and attention. Achieving a high polish
Polishing
Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by rubbing it or using a chemical action, leaving a surface with a significant specular reflection In some materials polishing is also able to reduce diffuse reflection to...
was often the aim and required hours of "bulling" (vigorous polishing) until it achieved a deep sheen. Experienced soldiers would "burn-down" the dimpled surface of the boots with beeswax and a heated spoon to make them smooth and easier to shine.
DMS Boots
Ammo boots were replaced by Directly Moulded Sole Boots (DMS boots) in 1958. These were lace-up leather ankle-boots with a leather toe-cap (but no heel cap.Although the ammo boots were no longer standard-issue, there were still remaining stocks. Regulars were issued one pair of ammunition boots and one pair of DMS boots well into the late 1960s.
The Guards Division
Guards Division
The Guards Division is an administrative unit of the British Army responsible for the administration of the regiments of Foot Guards and the London Regiment.-Introduction:...
continued to wear ammunition boots for ceremonial
Ceremony
A ceremony is an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin.-Ceremonial occasions:A ceremony may mark a rite of passage in a human life, marking the significance of, for example:* birth...
and drill duties. Around the late 1980s, the Guards' ammunition boots were replaced by boots known as "Drill Boots"—similar boots made specifically for drill with some minor variations.
In 1983, the DMS was replaced with the "Boot, Combat, High" (BCH). They were high-lacing versions of the DMS (omitting the leather toe-cap) that went up to mid-calf. These boots were replaced as the DMS was the cause of so many soldiers becoming unfit during the Falklands campaign. These boots had no arch support and were not waterproof not lined. Subsequently they caused trenchfoot and also when loaded with packs of over 100lbs and maybe 150lbs the lack of arch support crippled the feet of many. Battle for the Falklands: Land forces By William Fowler, Mike Chappell