World War II British Backpack
We were cleaning up my Grandfather's bedroom when we found this backpack. It appears to be a World War II period British backpack.
My Grandfather worked for the Royal Air Force as a mechanic in Singapore. During the Japanese Invasion, he buried all his kit, and melted into the civilian population. My Grandmother gave birth to my father during the Occupation.
I do not think my Grandfather would have kept any evidence that he served the British military during the Japanese Occupation, so this is not his own issued backpack. So I can only assume that he got his hands on this backpack after the war. My father mentioned that it belonged to an Australian soldier.
The backpack is pristine and has never been used before. There are buckle bulges on the straps, but that is from being held in that position for many decades, rather than from wear and tear. This is probably very close to its original colour, because the backpack had been wrapped up nicely over the years, and have not seen much sunlight.
The buckles have tarnished over time.
I have placed a 30cm or 12" ruler next to the backpack for scale reference.
I am missing the cross-strap, so I can't rig it up as it is mean to be done. I'll need to find a replacement.
The backpack appears to be a 1908 Pattern Large Pack with 1937 Pattern L-straps. The latter hooks onto the front pouch of the 1937 Pattern webbing.
ZA 27916 B.B & Co
These markings are on the insides of the shoulder straps.
Unfortunately the markings under the flap are very faded. The year of manufacture can vaguely be made out to be 1943 or 1945, and the letters before the year mark the country of manufacture. I am unable to make out what they are.
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