British in pith helmets and sweaters

I guess it got cold. Everyone is in sweaters and long home service pants.

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Perhaps this photo was taken in the Mesopotamian campaign of World War I - it gets pretty darn cold at night in Iraq. Friends who have served there over the past few years have told me that it can go below freezing at night during the winter months especially in the Kurdistan region, and along the Syrian & Turkish borders.

There were a number of areas that were cold in the winter months but because you are overseas a Wolesley is essential. North West frontier, Tibet, Nepal, China, and so forth. Could be any of these. The style of the 'plus fours' and putties make me think its post-WWI

What what I have read, the Western Desert during WWII was well known for getting very cold at night, with both sides wearing heavy coats and/or woolen tunics and the purchase of Hebron coats made of goat skin was fairly common among the British troops. You also see lots of pics of British troops wearing the Leather Jerkin.

Regards,

Jerry

Hmm - they do look a bit too tidy and uniform for WWI Tommies. Creased knickerbockers and neatly wound puttees (reportedly measured against cigarette packets) would be more typical of peacetime regulars during the 1920s and 30s. Home service khaki serge was worn as cold weather field service order by British troops in India and the Middle East during that period, when temperatures warranted it. Even Gurkhas appeared in it - presumably smaller sizes.

Look like very warm