Q994810 Major Neil John (John) McNutt made and used these items during his SAS field training in the Coromandel during the late 1990s. During the exercise, John procured the raw materials in the field and fashioned items out of them to protect himself from the weather, help evade capture, and complete various tasks. They include several handmade from hessian including a hooded rain jacket, a small open top pouch, and a backpack. Other items are made from light green synthetic material including a vest and a small hand drawn map. Also included are a length of braided rope and a pair of fingerless gloves made from animal fur.
They showcase the problem solving, MacGyver-style skills of the NZSAS, and the grit and determination of the soldiers to survive and succeed. After passing the New Zealand SAS selection course in 1999, McNutt was deployed to Kuwait where he served as the New Zealand coalition force liaison officer. Tragically, on 13 March 2001, Major John McNutt was killed alongside five United States Army soldiers whilst observing a live fire training exercise in North West Kuwait. He was only 27 years old. His body was repatriated to New Zealand where a full military funeral was held at Burnham Military Camp.
We are incredibly grateful to have his SAS training items in our collection – they really tell the tale of the ingenuity, adaptability, and resilience of the NZSAS soldier – as well as Major John McNutt’s medals on display in the Medal Repository.
Gallery of SAS Training Equipment, John McNutt
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