The 1958 pattern webbing yoke includes a large metal stud between the shoulder blades. This is used to attach either a pick handle or a short general service shovel for use in entrenching, as explained in the fitting instructions:

To the outer side of the padded apex of the ‘V’ is attached a wide strap, with spigot and metal link and left and right straps, with quick release links and tongue, for attachment of the pick handle, or the shovel handle.

The shovel that attaches to this stud is a heavy duty tool, of conventional shape, with a much shorter handle than is usually seen on a civilian example:The handle is a ‘t’ shaped type, note the hole directly below it for the webbing stud:The blade is made of black painted steel, with the top edge turned over for strength and to provide a wider surface for applying boot pressure:This example is /|\ marked and dated 1989:A crowned ‘SJ’ above the markings is the manufacturer’s logo: This indicates the shovel was made by Spear and Jackson. The company’s website gives some history:

If there is one word that people associate with Sheffield it is steel. The city (then a mere town) was known for the production of knives in the 14th century, and by 1600 had become the main centre for cutlery manufacture in England. In the 1740s, a form of the crucible steel process was discovered that allowed the manufacture of better quality steel than had previously been available, and this innovation spurred the growth of Sheffield as an industrial town. And it was not long after – in 1760 – when the foundations of the one of the city’s best known firms, and one synonymous with steel; Spear & Jackson, were laid.

It was in this year that a draper named John Love and a Wakefield merchant, Alexander Spear, decided that steel offered a better living than cloth and went into business together. By 1814, the business had passed down to Alexander’s nephew John, who took on an apprentice – Sam Jackson – to learn ‘ye art, trade or mistery of sawmaking’. Sam’s first job was carrying blades from the forge to the grinding wheels yet, by 1830, he had obviously proved his worth as a new partnership was formed – Spear & Jackson. Neill Tools bought Spear & Jackson in 1985, renaming the business Spear & Jackson plc in 1995.

The 1958 pattern webbing fitting instructions gave details of different options for carrying the shovel, noting The shovel may be worn with the blade facing inwards or outwards according to unit preference.