The WHITE HBT APRON BAG is a cross-shoulder bag for daily wear, constructed from raw, undyed herringbone twill fabric and features a reinforced single large apron pocket, one-size waist lashings, single needle construction and bar tack reinforcements.

The Red Cross Apron Bag, on which this is based, or ‘Ditty Bag’, as it was commonly known, was used for both field and personal items by soldiers during the First and Second World Wars, as well as later conflicts in Vietnam and Korea. This example can be worn as a small apron tied around the waist, or tied around the shoulder. These bags were made and filled by volunteers who would pass them on to soldiers being treated at Red Cross Hospitals. On occasions where a soldier would have areas of their uniform cut away such as pockets, the Ditty bag could also be on hand to transport any personal items that they were carrying.

Herringbone Twill Fabric

Before the outbreak of WWII, soldiers in the US Army were issued a blue denim jumper, trousers, and hat for fatigue duties, while they used the cotton khaki shirt and trousers as their summer uniform.

However, by the late 1930s, the Army realised a more practical uniform in a better colour was needed. In 1941, a green uniform made from cotton herringbone twill (HBT) fabric, recognisable for its distinctive V-shaped weaving pattern was introduced to replace both the denim and khaki cotton uniforms for work and field operations. Shirts, trousers, coveralls, and caps were produced and issued to all Army personnel in all theatres of operation. It is this Olive Green HBT fabric which serves as the reference point for the undyed herringbone twill used here.

Cotton Herringbone Twill

Drawstring Closure

Raw, Undyed Fabric with no additional processing

Made in Japan