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From: "peter.fellowes" <>
Subject: [WW1] Re Trench Foot
Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 11:41:45 +0100


Hello to all listers,
I wonder if I may add my thoughts and ideas to this most interesting
thread based on my 25 years service (1964-89), and what seems to me in
hindsight as having stood in every muddy hole from the Brecon Beacons,
Plains of North Germany and the Falklands. This may also be of some
assistance to Taff and the other Khaki Chums.

We know the causes of trench foot as prolonged immersion in water or
wetness to the feet. This in part is caused by the conditions and in
part by the boots themselves. The boots of the day were of two general
types (although there were exceptions) and these were "Boots Ammunition"
or Boots Leather Ankle". Both these types of boots had the same basic
and general design in that of a leather sole supplemented by a steel toe
and heel plate and a number of studs and leather uppers joined to the
sole by stitching. These boots in basic forms with the odd modification
remained in general service until about 1965/66 (there were the odd
exceptions during WW2 for commandos who had "Boots CWW") when they were
replaced by "Boots Leather Ankle DMS" which had a rubber moulded sole,
and these in turn were replaced in general service in about 1975/76 with
"Boots Combat High".

The problem is how to stop the feet becoming wet in the first place and
the main problem with Boots Ammunition and Leather Ankle was the leather
sole. This acted like a "Wick" so when standing in even wet grass the
leather sole would become wet and given time "wick" the dampness into
the boot. The other weak points of these boots was the stitching around
the welt area joining the uppers to the sole and the lace holes.

The best care of these type of boots is to get some Bees Wax and place
the jar in a saucepan of warm water until the bees wax becomes a liquid
then with a small paintbrush "paint" this onto the leather sole, instep
and heel of the boots, allow to soak in and in drying it hardens again
into a wax, you may wish to repeat this two or three times and in any
case should be done perhaps once a week as routine. This will reduce any
"wicking effect" through the sole of the boot but will never stop it
completely. The same should be done around the welt area were the upper
is stitched to the sole. As for the uppers and the lace holes then ample
applications of a good quality boot polish, allowing each coat to dry
and be polished to a shine before the next coat is applied

Even carrying out this type of boot maintaince on a regular basis will
never stop water or mud entering the boot and allowing the feet to
become wet thus allowing the onset of trench foot, (no boot of this type
could hope to cope with the conditions in the trenches or even the use
by "The Khaki Chums"), but it does go someway to reducing it.

Care of the feet; the feet should be where possible, inspected at least
once in every 24 hours and first of all dried off, then they should be
washed in COLD WATER this has a refreshing effect and cools the feet,
the feet should then be dried again paying attention to between the
toes. A light dusting of chalk should then be applied to act as an
absorbent and any excess dusted off. To obtain a good supply of chalk go
to any stationary store and purchase a box (or boxes) of white chalk
sticks, the sort used by schools (they come in boxes of 50 sticks for
about £ 3). Place the chalk sticks into a plastic bag and crush up to a
dust/powder and place this into a tin or even a "puffer" bottle, these
then may be safely carried in your equipment and should be readily to
hand.WARNING GLASS JARS OR CONTAINERS SHOULD NEVER BE CARRIED IN SMALL
PACKS OR POUCHES.

After the excess chalk has been dusted off then apply a thin application
of Vaseline, this should be rubbed well into the feet, between the toes
and right up to the ankle. This has two effects, by rubbing the Vaseline
well in until it is all absorbed is placing a waterproof layer onto the
skin and also this is acting as a foot massage and warms the feet and
restores the blood circulation, were possible this should be done in
pairs on the "you do mine I will do yours principle" this is when you
find out who your friends are. Put on a dry pair of socks, replace
boots and your ready for your next days or nights duties.

A word of caution, because you are applying Vaseline to your feet and
thus in part a waterproof barrier to the skin remember it works in the
reverse as well, when your feet get hot and start to sweat with marching
or normal trench routine the moisture has no where to escape to, this
may give an uncomfortable feeling at times of itchy feet but nothing
that can not be lived with providing you wash your feet as described at
least once every 24 hours.

On a note of authenticity for Taff and the other Khaki Chums, Beeswax
and Chalk would certainly have been available during and before WW1, not
sure about Vaseline but seeing as you can not get Whale Oil it seems a
similar alternative and would have the same effect.

Hope this may be of some help or interest to listers and to the Khaki
Chums of whom I have the utmost respect and admiration.

Regards.
Peter.




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