The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-03-22
CHAPTER 10.
BIiahty to Rest RiIIets.

for me and informed me: "Empey, as
recruiting sergeant you are II wash
out" and sent me to training depot
After arriving at this place was
hustled to the Quartermaster stores
and rece' Jed an awful shock. The
Quartermaster sergeant spread u wa
terproof sheet on the ground and COM
menced throwing miscellaneous as
sortment of straps, buckles and other
paraphernalia into It. thought he
would never stop. but when the pile
reached to my knees he paused long
enough to say, "Next, No. 5217, 'Arris,
B company" / gazed In bewilderment
at the pile of junk in front of me, ard
then my eyes wandered around looking
for the wagon which was to carry II
to barracks. / was rudely brought to
earth by the quarter" exclaiming,
Ere. you, 'op 1t; tyke 1t aw'y; blind
my eyes, 'e's looking for rs batman to
'elp i'm carry It,"
Struggling under the load, with fire.
Quent pauses for rest, l reached our
barracks Qarge car barns), and my
platoon leader came to the rescue. 1t
was a marvel to me how quickly he
assembled the equipment. After he
had completed the task, he showed me
how to adjust II on my person. Pretty
soon / stood before him a proper Tom
/ my Atkins In heavy marching order,
feeling like an overloaded camel.
On my feet were heavy-soled boots,
studded with hobnails, the toes and
heels of which were re-enforced by
steel halfmoons. My legs were in
cased In woolen puttees, olive drab in
| color, with my trousers overlapping
them at the top. Then wooden khaki
tunic, under which was blush gray
woolen shirt, minus a collar; beneath
this shirt woolen belly band about
six inches wide, held In place by tie
strings of white tape. On my head
was 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,
called "D" straps, fastened to the belt
! 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 bayonet and
scabbard, and intrenching tool handle
this handle strapped to the bayonet
scabbard. In the rear was my in
trenching tool, carried in n canvas case
This tool was n combination pick and
spade. A canvas haversack was
| IN hn oft OF nf hn
while on my back was the pack, also
or 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 a neat little
canvas case. My waterproof sheet
looking like jelly ROLL was strapped
on top Of the pack, with wooden stick
for cleaning the breach OF the rifle pro
jecting from each end. On a lanyard
around my waist hung n huge jack
knife with n can-opener attachment
The pack contained my overcoat, ar
extra pair OF socks, change OF under
wear, hold all Containing knife, fork
spoon, comb, toothbrush, lather brush
shaving soap, and razor made of tin
with "Made In England" stamped OF
the blade; when trying to shave will
this II made you wish that you were
at war with Patagonia. so that 70,
could have q "hollow 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 a shoe brush anf
box of dublin, writing pad. indel
ible pencil, envelopes, and pay book
and personal belongings, such as
small mirror, a decent razor and {
sheaf Of unanswered letters. and fass
In your haversack you carry your iror
ratiOns, meaning a tin OF bully beef
four biscuits and can containing tea
sugar and Oxo cubes; couple O,
pipes and pack Of shag, a tin of riff,
oil. and pull-through. Tommy gen
orally carries the oil with his rations
1t gives the cheese sort Of sardin,
taste.
Add to this a first-aid pouch and 6
long, ungainly rifle patterned after tn,
Daniel Boone period, and you have ar
idea OF British soldier in Blighty
Before leaving for France this riff,
Is taken from him and he is ISSUED
with Lee-Enfield short trench riff,
and a ration bag.
In France he receives two gas hel
NETS, sheepskin coat, rubber mack
1ntosh, steel helmet, two blankets, tear
shell goggles, balaclava helmet
gloves and tin Of antifrostbite greas,
which is excellent for greasing tn,
boots. Add to this the weight Of hi,
rations, and can you blame Tommy fol
growing at a twenty-kilo route march