Quite literally – as depicted by photographer Thom Atkinson in thirteen inventory-photos of military kits from various ages between Hastings and Afghanistan.

There is a poignancy, as well as historical interest, in the carry-around world of a soldier: weapons and letters from home, landmines and sewing kits, black powder and playing cards… It is fascinating to see how things change (or don’t change that much) through the centuries.

The kits were reconstructed with the help of historians, reenactors and collectors, and are shown in a great picture gallery on the Telegraph website.