Boer War Oliver Pattern Water Bottle Carrier - RCR marked with number to Casualty

These Oliver pattern carriers are near impossible to find on their own. However this is the first one I've ever seen regimentally marked to the Royal Canadian Regiment with service number. 313 being the last three digits of 7313 Carleton Woodford ALLEN. He enlisted in 1899 having served in the QOR in Toronto. He was at Paardeberg, Driefontein, Cape Colony and Transvaal, being wounded in action at Cronje's Laager, Feb 17th 1900.

http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/south-african-war-1899-1902/Pages/list.aspx?RegimentNumber=7313&

These carrier held a pint sized soda water bottle which could be replaced commercially. They were extremely unpopular and most were discarded in favour of the British Canteen in theater. Hence, they are near impossible to find today. The leather remains quite pliable. A period glass soda water bottle is readily available on eBay for a small price.

Code: 53056