Khaki canvas bag with shoulder strap, Europe, 1914-1918

Small khaki canvas bag with shoulder strap, belonged to Lt. Col. T.R. Elliott of Royal Army Medical Corps., probably used during 1st World War, 1914-1918

On the back of this small khaki-coloured canvas bag is the name of the owner, Lieutenant Colonel T R Elliot, of the 1st Canadian division, Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). During the First World War, the bag was probably used to carry first aid supplies such as bandages and dressings or an anti-gas hood. Lieutenant Colonel Elliot appears to have survived the war.

The RAMC was formed in 1898 and provided medical care to wounded soldiers on the front lines during the First World War. Such were the demands of the conflict that the number of RAMC officers increased from 9,000 in 1914 to 113,000 by the end of the war.