Impressions on pair of No1 Mk3 Enfields

[Peter Laidler]

It LOOKS like there's the remains of the yellow band around one of those butts.

[browningautorifle]

the remains of the yellow band around one of those butts.

Yes it does...

[Savannah1948]

I should have written 1000 for full strength of the battalion

[browningautorifle]

1000 for full strength

Yes, we knew that though...

[nicolesman]

It LOOKS like there's the remains of the yellow band around one of those butts.

What would be the significance of the yellow paint?

[nijalninja]

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=24762

Bottom of the first page.

[22SqnRAE]

41 IB could be 41st Infantry Battalion an Australian unit in WW I. It would have been at full strength a little over 100 men of all ranks. This unit had 444 killed and 1577 wounded. It fought in France and would probably have been issued British made rifles.

Savannah1948,

I'll buy in to your suggestion about the rifle possibly belonging at one time t the 41st Bn AIF. The typo was noted, you've decimated the Battalion! The other 900 blokes would be most put out by being overlooked!

The 41st Bn AIF was formed in Brisbane, near the current Enoggera Barracks, home to HQ 1 Div and 7 Brigade. The volunteers were a mixture of North Queenslanders, Queenslanders and Northern Rivers New South Welshmen. A volatile mixture, with plenty of vigour and capability, need we say more?

Some details can be found in this link to the Australian war Memorial: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51481

41Bn Formed and trained in Australia, then sailed to the UK where it assembled and trained with the other Bns of its Brigade, before the Division moved to France in November 1916. During that time, it is highly likely that the Diggers were issued with UK procured rifles, as the fledgling production of Small Arms Factory Lithgow was not keeping up to the rapid expansion of the Australian Army. So, your suggestion certainly has merit. Is it right? I can't say, for sure. But it is a credible and plausible suggestion.

[henry r]

The other 900 blokes would be most put out by being overlooked!

with those casualties they would probably be rather pleased at missing all the "fun".