LIGHTWEIGHTS
In the 1960's a new style of overalls was introduced as work trousers which
in essence were the first lightweights and inspired the later pattern
lightweights which are more commonly seen in photographs. Made of cotton these trousers became popular for wearing during exercises
and the Falklands Conflict as they tended to be hard wearing, light
and when wet dried very fast. Lightweights are associated with
the parachute regiment who adopted them for use in the field over the
heavier '68 pattern combat trousers and with the Royal Artillery.
Overall Trousers
TROUSERS, OVERALL, GREEN
The trousers, Overall's had a map pocket on the left leg and
unlike the '60 pattern combat trousers stopped at the waist line and
was not lined.. They
were popular with troops due to there comfort and quick drying. They
are made with a button up fly, Brace buttons and loops, and the map
pocket flap has rounded edges. The label will only say Size.
Light Weights or Olive's
Based on the earlier Overall trousers these come with a Zip and the
pocket flaps are more square. The label will show the size as Size as
well as NATO.
'85 Pattern Light Weights
TROUSERS, MEN'S, LIGHTWEIGHTS
The only real difference between these and the previous pattern is
the labels. In every other respect they are the same but the label
will only show NATO sizing. Of note though, that Lightweights without
the map pocket are more than likely the '90 pattern variant and there
for totally unsuitable. There is also available commercially
made reproductions found on the internet and some outdoor shops, that
are slightly darker in colour, but have the map pocket and can accommodate
larger sizes.
*
SHIRTS
Until the introduction of the cotton based
general service shirt; troops had to put up with a shirt made from
wool. The most common shirt used was the Khaki Flannel (KF)
shirt derived from the war time shirt which was Brown in colour.
in the mid to late 1960's the KF shirt was redesigned and designated
Shirt, Man's, Combat and was an Olive colour. Although this was
not a KF shirt it was still commonly known as the KF shirt along with
the nicknames "Hairy Mairy" or "Itchy
Shirt". It was not uncommon - if not by the Regs - to wear No.2 shirts and earlier US issue shirts that had been issued for
tropical use (of which the latter was a prized possession and were
very sort after).
Royal Marines and Para's that were cold weather
trained were issued Norwegian (Norgi) Shirts to help keep warm.
By the mid 1980's a lot of troops had the Norgi shirt, either issued,
traded for or private purchase.
With the introduction of the '85 pattern Combats came a new cotton
based Olive green shirt.
KF Shirt
Although not officially called the KF
shirt. Shirt, Man's Combat was referred to as the KF so the
name stuck along with the nicknames "Hairy Mairy" or Itchy
Shirt". Soldiers tried everything to avoid wearing the
woolen based shirt due to its ability make the wearer itch under warm
conditions.
Some had there shirts tailored to have short sleeves or the
Shirt shoulders and collar, along with the cuffs, were removed from
the shirt and sewn onto another softer shirt so that when worn with
the Combat Jacket it would look like they were wearing a normal issue
shirt. Some even shaved the inside of the shirts in an effort to
make them more comfortable.
SHIRT, MANS, COMBAT
'85 pattern Shirt
SHIRT, MAN'S, GENERAL SERVICE OLIVE
In an effort to increase the
wearers comfort, with the introduction of a new uniform came a
new cotton based shirt again in an olive colour.
*
Olive Jumpers
There are several patterns of the
round neck Olive woolen jumpers available. At
the moment we know of 5 varaints, 'Jersey, Man's, Wool',
'Jersey Man's Wool Heavy, 1968 Pattern', 'Jersey Man's, Heavy,
Woolen' and 'Jersey, Man's, Heavy, Olive, Round Neck'.
JERSEY, MAN'S, WOOL HEAVY, 1968
PATTERN
JERSEY, MAN'S, HEAVY (without
Epaulets)
JERSEY, MAN'S, WOOL HEAVY, 1968
PATTERN
JERSEY, MAN'S, HEAVY (with Epaulets)
JERSEY, MAN'S HEAVY OLIVE, DRAB
JERSEY, MAN'S HEAVY OLIVE, ROUND
NECK
