When the British Army introduced the WS88 radio set they issued it with an accompanying webbing pouch to allow it to be attached to the recently approved 44 pattern webbing set.
This pouch was supposed to be worn on the left hand side of the webbing, with a similar pouch for the battery on the right. It is made of the same green lightweight cotton webbing as the rest of the 44 pattern tropical webbing.
As can be seen the pouch is secured by a quick release fastener on the front; this example is sadly broken. Whilst sharing many characteristics with the contemporary 44 pattern set, this pouch is not strictly speaking part of that set, as it is not listed in the pamphlets of equipment, rather it is an associated piece of equipment designed to be compatible with the main webbing set.
The rear of the pouch is virtually identical to the 44 pattern ammunition pouches, but is marginally wider to accommodate the larger radio set.
A pair of metal loops are sewn to the pouch to attach it to the waist belt.
The rear also has a radio stores' code of 'ZA33126' and the letter 'L' indicating it is to be worn on the left.
The base of the pouch has a small drainage hole. This combined with the waterproof casing of the WS88 set allowed the operator to wade through water and still use the radio at the end of it.
The top flap of the pouch has a large opening allowing the user to operate the WS88 set.
A small pocket runs down the side of the pouch to hold the aerial when not in use.
This pouch was manufactured by MECo in 1948.
