WW1 Canadian CEF Putties

WW1 Canadian CEF putties are leg-wrapping gaiters issued to members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Adopted as part of standard military uniform, these putties were typically made from long strips of tightly woven wool fabric, about three to four inches wide, and several feet in length. The primary function of putties was to provide lower leg protection, offer support, and keep dirt and debris out of soldiers’ boots during trench and field operations. Worn by wrapping around the lower leg from ankle to knee and secured with a fabric tie or tape, putties became a recognizable element of the Canadian soldier’s appearance. Used on the Western Front and in other theaters of war, they reflect both the practical requirements and material limitations of early twentieth-century military outfitting. Surviving examples show typical period construction techniques and materials, varying in color from khaki to brown.