Many of the first men to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force slept rough, warmed only by their own coats and blankets. In training camps, while under canvas in winter, pneumonia would take its toll. After the hard slog of training marches during the day, the cold desert winds of Egypt would chill to the bone. The European winters of the Great War were reported to be the worst for over sixty years. Men died of pneumonia or froze to death in the flooded, muddy trenches, unable to move and restore circulation lest they invite sniper or shellfire. In the finest Australian tradition, their people at home did not sit back, they responded with a practical solution of their own.
APPEAL FOR SHEEPSKINS - 20 November 1914 Raymond Terrace Examiner
An appeal for the purpose of providing not only the men of the Australian Expeditionary Forces but as many as possible of the British “Tommies” on active service, with a tanned sheepskin waistcoat has started. The waistcoats will prove of great value to the troops during the winter in Europe, and a sample garment has met with the approval of the military experts. It was decided to push ahead with the work of organisation without delay.
TANNED SHEEPSKIN CLOTHING COMMITTEE - 20 November 1914 Raymond Terrace Examiner
A circular from the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney explained that a committee was buying skins from Sydney wholesale butchers, getting them tanned and made into vests.
The committee was seeking donations of money to be used pending donations of skins from the country. A donation of 6s would provide comparative comfort for a soldier at the front and would be instrumental in saving his life.
By 1916, there were 75,510 waist coats and 61,193 insoles were sent to soldiers at the front.
At the time it was said, "Australia rode on the sheep’s back". However, wool and sheepskins were being exported to overseas mills for processing. Governor Sir Gerald Strickland said “the movement behind the ingenuity and design of the waistcoat had taken a typically Australian product direct from the producer to the consumer. I hope that when the war is over this movement will be the means of establishing a new permanent industry in Australia.’
The ‘Diggers Vest’ was a practical gift of caring and community support that saved many lives of the soldiers at the Front. Significantly, the vests also gave birth to a new Australian Sheepskin Industry which would in time serve Australian servicemen during World War I, World War II and benefit all Australians. The following letters illustrate these points.
