The Huttig news., 1918-03-16
CHAPTER II.
BIighty to Rest BiIlets.

Blighty to Rest BlIets.
 The next morning the captain sent for me and informed me: "Empey, as a recruiting sergeant you are wash, out" and sent me to a training depot.
 After arriving at this place, I was hustled to the quartermaster stores and received an awful shock. The quartermaster sergeant spread Wa terproof sheet on the ground and com menced throwing q miscellaneous as sortment of straps. buckles and other paraphernalia into it. I thought lie would never stop, but when the pile reached to my knees he paused long enough to say, Next, No. 5217, 'Arfis B company" l gaZed in bewilderment at the pile of junk in front of me, and then my eyes wandered around looking for the wagon which was to carry it to barracks. 1 was rudely brought to earth by the quarter" exclaiming Ere, you, 'op it; tyke it aw'y; blind my eyes, 'e's looking for lis batman to 'elp i'm carry it."
 Struggling under the load. with ire quent pauses for rest, l reached our barracks Qarge car barns), and my platoon leader came to the rescue. It was marvel to me how quickly he assembled the equipment. After he had completed the task, he showed me how to adjust 1t on my person. Pretty soon l stood before him proper Tom my Atkins in heavy marching order. al
 On my feet were heavy-soled boots. studded with hobnails, the toes and heels of which were re-enforced by steel half-moons My legs were in- cased in woolen puttees, olive drab in color, with my trousers overlapping them at the top. Then woolen khaki tunic, under which was q bluish gray wooden shirt, minus q collar; beneath this shirt wooden belly band about six inches wide. held in place by tie strings of white tape. On my head was a heavy woolen trench cap, With huge earlaps buttoned over the top. Then the equipment: A canvas belt, with ammunition pockets, and two wide canvas straps like suspenders, tdiltu D SlIdpSf ldSltiitu lO lllI bNit in front, passing over each shoulder, crossing in the middle of my back, and attached by buckles to the rear of the belt On the right side of the belt hung water bottle, covered with felt: on the left side was my hayonet and scabbard, and intrenching tool handle this handle strapped to the bayonet I,a ho in trenchng tool, carried In canvas case. This tool was q combination pick and spade. A canvas haversack was strapped to the left side of the belt, while on my back was the pack, also of canvas, held in place by two canvas straps over the shoulders; suspended on the bottom of the pack was my mess tin or canteen in neat little canvas case. My waterproof sheet looking like a jelly roll, was strapped on top of the pack, with wooden stick for cleaning the breach of the rifle pro- jeeting from each end. On lanyard around my waist hung a huge jack knife with Il can-opener attachment. The pack contained my overcoat, an RAlTd IldtI OI SONkS, NIldllSt ti wear, hold all (containing knife, fork, spoon, comb, toothbrush, father brush, shaving soap. and razor made of tin, with Made in England" stamped on the blade; when trying to shave with this 1t made you wish that you were nj war with Patagonia so that you could have "hOlIow ground' stamped "Made in Germany') then your house. wife. button-cleaning outfit, consisting of brass button stick, two stiff brushes, and box of "Soldiers. Friend" paste: then q shoe brush and box of dubbin, writing pad, indel- ibe pencil, envelopes, and pay book, and personal belongings, such as a small mirror, a decent razor and q sheaf of unanswered letters, and flags. Tn your haversack you carry your iron rations, meaning tin of bully beef, four biscuits and , can containing tea, sugar and Oxa cubes; q couple of pipes and pae} If shag, a tin of rifle oil. and a pnli-'a,ough Tommy gen. erally carries hn oil with his rations it gives the q csc sort of sardine taste.
 Add to this ! first-aid pouch and a long, nDga.aiy rifle patterned after the Daniel Boone period. and you have an idea of q British soldier In Blighty.
 Before leaving for France, this rifle is taken from him and he is issued with q Lee Enfield short trench riiie and ration bag.
 In France he receives two gas hel- nets, a sheepsldn coat rubber mack intosh, steel helmet, two blankets, tear shell goggles, balaclava helmet gloves and tin of antifrostbite grease which Is excellent for greasing the