Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
CHAPTER II.
BIlqhty to Rest BlIlets.

BIlshty to Rest BlIlets.
The next morning the captain sent
Tor me and informed me: "Empey, as
/ recruiting sergeant you are a wash
,ut," and sent me to q training depot
After arriving at this place, I was
hustled to the quartermaster stores
md received an awful shock. The
,uartermaster sergeant spread wa
.erproof sheet on the ground and COM
menced throwing a miscellaneous as
sortment of straps, buckles and other
paraphernalia into it. I 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" I 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 II
to barracks. I was rudely brought to
earth by the quarter" exclaiming,
"Ere, you, 'op it; tyke it aw'y; blind
my eyes, 'e's looking for, is batman to
'elp i'm carry it,
Struggling under the load, with fire.
quent pauses for rest, reached our
barracks Qarge car barns), and my
platoon leader came to the rescue. It
was a marvel to me how quickly he
assembled the equipment. After ne
had completed the task, he showed me
how to adjust it on my person. Pretty
soon I stood before him proper Tom
my Atkins in heavy marching order,
feeling like IN overloaded camel.
On my feet were heavy-soled boots
studded with hobnails, the toes and
heels of which were REINFORCED 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 blush gray
woolen shirt, minus collar; beneath
this shirt a woolen 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,
called ID" 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 a canvas case
This tool was a 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. a 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 rife pro.
jecting from each end. On a lanyard
around my waist hung huge jack
knife with can-opener attachment
The pack contained my overcoat, an
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 on
the blade; when trying to shave with
this it made you wish that you were
| ut war with Patagonia, 80 that you
could have hollow ground" stamped
'sMade in Germany then your house
wife, button-cleaning outfit, consisting
Of a brass button stick, two stifI
brushes, and q box Of "Soldiers
Friend" paste; then shoe brush and
q box Of dublin. writing pad, indel'
IIble pencil, envelopes, and pay book
-e-'--- .