During the First World War (still known as "The Great War" to inhabitants of Hereford 1938), troopers and NCOs were issued with uniforms, but officers - in a Very British way - were instead granted a 'uniform allowance' to spend at their personal tailors. This practice continued, at least in the Regular Army, during the VBCW - and lead to considerable innovation and advertisement:
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| The Burberry Trench Coat (or "Trench Warm") A standard to this day. |
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| The Wilkinson Sword "Bullet Proof Jacket". Back to making razor blades, gents.... |
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| Officer's Service Kit completed in 3 days if necessary at Chas.Baker & Co. of High Holborn. |
VBCW researchers have been disappointed to learn that Chas. Baker & Co.'s elegant Victorian premises at 271 - 274 High Holborn have now been swept away and redeveloped in the usual steel and glass and intimate scale :
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| 271 - 274 High Holborn today. Officers (or VBCW Re-Enactors) in need of uniforms now have to look elsewhere. Possibly Camden Market ? |
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