The Canadian Army also had bedrolls for officers. I have my father's one
which he took overseas in 1942. The Canadian one has two LONG leather
straps. There is a bit of a hood at the head which one can prop up with a
couple of sticks to provide a rain shelter for the head. Snaps down one
side. On the upper surface, by the feet are some pockets for gear. My Dad
kept his big issue clasp knife in there until one of my brothers (I presume)
lost it. A sewing kit may also have been kept in there. Bedroll probably
mainly used on a cot in a bell tent. Mine has a grey 'mummy' sleeping bag
inside but that may have been added later as he travelled in the arctic
extensively in the 1950s.
The BSA airborne bicycle instructions in the RAF Airborne Forces Manual
reprint p.223 states " 7. Strap both wheels together, securing them to the
rear chain stays to prevent them from rotating. (An Army-issue valise strap
ins most suitable for this). " This may be one of the straps referred to
above.
Our local club President, Dan Jahn, acquired an identical bedroll which had
been used by a Canadian Army Padre.
Both made by WOODS in Ottawa as I recall.
Colin Macgregor Stevens
MVPA Member 954 (since 1977)
Editor MAPLE LEAF UP (Est. 1977) newsletter
of Western Command Military Vehicle Historical Society
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
E-mail: colin@pacdat.net
Personal web site: http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net
1944 Willys MB
1942 BSA airborne bicycles (2)
----- Original Message -----
From: <GIjeepsWW2@aol.com>
To: Military Vehicles List <mil-veh@skylee.com>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 7:53 PM
Subject: Re: [MV] Bed Roll
> In a message dated 8/21/00 7:28:18 AM Central Daylight Time,
> john.hutterer@deltec.com writes:
>
> << On the item is stenciled: U.S.
> Bedding Roll
> Model 1935
>
> Elsewhere, there is some additional lettering. The first part is smudged
but
> the legible part reads "Cab Co 1943". >>
> Its a WWII Army officer's bedroll.
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