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Has anyone seen one of these before?

Paul Glover

Well-Known Member
Hello to all!,
I have recently been given the below photographed item that once belonged to a gentleman that I knew and aspired to in my early teens.
He was pilot officer 182382 Arnold Halliday, he was a decorated (dfc) navigator in 21 squadron of the RAF VR and flew in the Mosquito ( amongst other aircraft).
It was whilst in a Mosquito on a night mission that he earned his DFC for destroying a train that was later discovered to have been carrying a number of prominent German officers. I hope to find out more detail in due course.
Hopefully below will be a Photo of Arnold standing with a Mosquito.
The item that I am hoping that someone will recognise comprises of 3 pieces of leather each of which is stamped by its maker, D Mason and sons ltd of Walsall and the year 1942 and also the war dept arrow, this leading me to believe that the item is an issued piece of kit as opposed to a private purchase.
Each leather strap and buckle is appx 8 ft long (joined in the middle) these are then held together by a double thickness short strap.
I have photographed them in the only prctical use that I can think of but I have no doubt that someone out there will be able to offer an alternative ?.
Just for affect one of the photos shows the harness securing a pair of Irvin trousers and an early Irvin jacket.
Thanks for looking, cheers Paul.
 

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MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
I’ve seen similar things, on a smaller scale, sold with a picnic blanket and used for carrying it around. If it’s got a Broad Arrow then it’s a Government issued item, but what it was designed to carry I don’t know.
I did a quick Google, it appears Walsall was the capital of the British leather industry before the War, and D. Mason and Son supplied 100,000 saddles to the Army. They made all manner of leather saddlery and also luggage, bags and strapping. So still no further forward, but a bit of background, at least.
 
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Paul Glover

Well-Known Member
This sort of contraptions were used for carrying sleeping bags, blankets, greatcoat and such. So it could be used for carrying an Irvin but it's not an RAF issued item.
Thanks for your replies, in one of the photos next to the makers name there is an arrow stamped into the leather (not sure if its considered a broad arrow).there are other officers names crossed out as if its been handed down, I think it is a luggage carrying item, unless it is sometthing that is of particular use to the crew of a Mosquito?, thanks again for your suggestions.
 

jack31916

Well-Known Member
Thanks for your replies, in one of the photos next to the makers name there is an arrow stamped into the leather (not sure if its considered a broad arrow).there are other officers names crossed out as if its been handed down, I think it is a luggage carrying item, unless it is sometthing that is of particular use to the crew of a Mosquito?, thanks again for your suggestions.
Oh it's military for sure and there is a Broad Arrow indeed. Most likely it is something for Mounted Troops. If it would have been something for RAF (crews) there would have been an AM (= Air Ministry) marking.
 

Paul Glover

Well-Known Member
I’ve seen similar things, on a smaller scale, sold with a picnic blanket and used for carrying it around. If it’s got a Broad Arrow then it’s a Government issued item, but what it was designed to carry I don’t know.
I did a quick Google, it appears Walsall was the capital of the British leather industry before the War, and D. Mason and Son supplied 100,000 saddles to the Army. They made all manner of leather saddlery and also luggage, bags and strapping. So still no further forward, but a bit of background, at least.
Thanks for the info, cheers Paul.
 
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