Description
Physical description
Square pouch made of brown waterproof canvas containing First Aid Outfit. Marked: "FIRST AID OUTFIT FOR AIR CREW" "TO OPEN THIS PACK TEAR DIAGONALLY FROM ANY CORNER AS INDICATED BY ARROWS" " NOTE SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE ON EACH PACKET INSIDE" "[Red cross within circle]" "A [Crown] M MK II". Stencilled in various places in either red or black is "L BENNETT"
In one corner are two brass eyelets each with a piece of canvas looped through. Small tears emerges from eaxch corner to ease access. The pouch is sealed. Contents unseen but listed as containing:
Ampoules, syringe, morphia x 2
Anti-burn mittens x 2
Anti-burn jelly in 1oz tubes x 1
Large wound dressing x 1
Safety pins x 1
History note
All aircrew were issued with a personal First Field Dressing of the same type carried by the Army, but in addition also carried the First Aid Outfit For Air Crews. Whereas the former contained a bandage-like dressing, the latter was produced specifically for burns. Though 90% of the man was covered by his flying clothing and equipment, flash burns to the face and hands remained a threat and could result in severe wounds. To counter this the kit contained special burns mittens, morphia ampoules, burn jelly, as well as sterile bandages. The pack was self-contained, waterproof, and could be easily stowed in a pocket of either the War Service Blouse or the flying suit.
This example belonged to Squadron Leader Lloyd Bennett, DFC (Bar). Bennett joined the RAF in 1929, serving initially as an Apprentice Clerk in the RAF Record Office. For most of his wartime service he served with 220 Squadron at Bircham Newton and Thornaby on Tees on the east coast, flying bombing raids over the North Sea to Germany in Wellingtons, Lancasters and Lockheed Hudsons. He had also flown over the beaches of Dunkirk during the evacuation of the BEF in 1940. Promoted Squadron Leader in 1943, he was decorated with a Distinguished Flying Cross and later a subsequent Bar was added.
Inscription
TO OPEN THIS PACK TEAR DIAGONALLY FROM ANY
CORNER AS INDICATED BY ARROWS.
FIRST AID OUTFIT FOR AIR CREWS
...CONTENTS...
AMPOULES SYRINGE (MORPHIA)...2 . FOR SEVERE PAIN
ANTI-BURN MITTENS......................2. FOR HAND BURNS
ANTI-BURN JELLY IN 1os. TUBES...1. FOR BURNS OTHER THAN HAND
LARGE WOUND DRESSING............1.
SAFETY PINS....................................1.
NOTE:- SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE ON EACH PACKET INSIDE.
FOR BURNS OTHER THAN DO NOT USE ANTI-
ON HAMDS SPREAD ANTI- BURN JELLY WITH
BURN JELLY OVER BURN THE MITTENS
AREA AND ALLOW TO DRY
A M
MKII
Inscription
L. BENNETT