TRANSPORTING THE VICKERS MACHINE GUN

MAN CARRY:

No. 1:

The No. 1 was responsible for the gun and was the senior 'operator' of the section. He was responsible for the carriage of the tripod and the placement of it within the gun position. When it became available, he also carried the Dial Sight.

The No. 1 sighted and fired the gun.

With the mechanisation of the MG Battalion from 1943, the No. 1 also performed the role of sub-section commander.

1912 - 1938

This Airlanding Bn No. 1 has his 1937 Pattern equipment, Airborne (Denison) Smock and Airborne Mk. II Helmet. As he is in the midst of training, he is wearing denim trousers without gaiters. The photographs show two different ways of carring the tripod, as well the dial sight. He is not carrying his personal weapon at this time but would have been armed with a Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I (or Mk. I*) Rifle, Mk. 5 Sten Machine Carbine, Colt .45-inch Automatic pistol or Mk. IV .38-inch Revolver.