The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-03-14
CHAPTER II.
BIighty to Rest BiIIets
2


The next morning the captain sent
for Inc and informed me: "Empey, as
recruiting sergeant you are wash
out" and sent me to a training depot.
After arriving at this place, I was
hustled to the quartcrmnSter stores
md received IN awful shock. The
quartermaSter sergeant spread wa
terprOof sheet on the ground and COM
menced throwing q miscellaneous as
sOrtmcnt OF straps, buckles and other
pnraphcrnalia into 1t. l 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" gazcd in bcwlldermcnt
at the pile Of junk in front Of me, and
then my eyes wandered around looking
for the wagon which was to carry 1t
10 barracks. was rudcly brought to
earth by the quarter" cxclniming
Ere, you, 'op 1t; tyke II uw'y; blind
my eyes. 'c's looking for is bntman to
'elp lin carry it,"
Struggling under the load, with fire.
quent pauscs for rest, I reached our
barracks Qnrge 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 stood before him proper Tom
my Atkins in heavy marching order.
feeling like an overloaded camel.
On my feet were heavy -soled boots,
studded with hobnnils. the toes and
heels Of which were re-cnforced by
steel hnlf-m0ons My legs were In
cnsed in woolen puttees, olive drab in
color, with my trousers overlapping
them at the top. Then wOolen khaki
tunic. under which was blush gray
woolcn shirt, minus collar; beneath
this shirt wOolen belly band about
SIX inches wide. held In place by tie
strings Of white tape On my head
was n heavy wooden trench cap. with
huge earlaps buttoncd over the top.
Then the equipment: A canvas belt,
with ammunition pockets, and two
wide canvas straps like SuSpendcrs,
called I'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 bayonct and
Scabhnrd. and intrenching tool handle
THIS handle strapped to the bayOnet
scabbard. In the rear was my in
trcnching tool, carried in n canvas case.
rms tool was combination pick and
spade. A canvas havcrsack was
strapped to the left side of the belt.
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 nv
mess tin or cantcen In neat little
canvas case. My waterproof sheet.
looking like Jelly roll, was strapped
Oh top or the pack. with q wooden stick
1or cleaning the breach of the rife pro-
Ject,ng from each end. On LANYARD
around my waist hung a huge iock.
kiiiie WIN 4 cnn-opcncr attachment.
ihc pack contained my overcoat nm
extra pair or socks. change OF under.
wcnr, hold al! Containing knife. forl,
spoon, comb, toothbrush, lather hrnsh
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
mt war with Patagonia, so that Won
could have a "hollow ground" stamped
"Mndc in GcrmnnyD then your house.
wife. buttoncleaning outfit, consisting
OF y brass button stick, two stiff
brushes, and box OF "Soldicrs'
Fri@,d" paste; then shoe brush ana
b0.e Of dublin, writing pad, indcl-
ible pencil, envelopes, and pay book,
md personal belongings, such as n
small mirror, decent razor and n
shcaf Of unanswered letters, and fngs.
In your haversnck you carry your iron
rntiOns. meaning tin of bully beef,
four biscuits and can containing tea.
sugar and Oxo cubes; couple OF
pipes and pack Of shag, tin Of rifle
oil, and pull-through. Tommy gen
orally carries the oil with his ratlons;
1t gives the cheese sort Of sardine
taste.
Add to this flrst-aid pouch and
ong, ungainly rifle patterned after the
Daniel Boone period, and you have an
dea Of British soldier In Blighty.
Before leaving for France, this rifle
g taken frora iln and he Is issued
With Lee.Enfeld short trench rife
md ration bag.
In Francs av koesives two gas hel.