The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-03-07
CHAPTER u.
BIichty to Rest 9ilIets.
?

The next morning the captain sent
for me 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 quartermaster stores
and received an awful shock. The
nuartermaster sergeant spread a wa
terproOf sheet on the ground and COM
menced throwing q miscellaneous as
sortment of straps, buckles and other
paraphernalia into it. thought ne
would never stop, but when the pie
reached to my knees he paused long
enough to say, Next, No. 5217, Arts,
B company" gazed in bewilderment
at the pile of junk in front Of me, and
then nv 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 1t aw'y; blind
my eyes, 'e's looking for is batman to
4elp 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. IL
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 stood before him proper Tom
nv Atkins in heavy marching order,
feeling like an overloaded camel.
On my feet were heavy-soled boots,
studded with hobnails, the toes ana
heels Of which we're REINFORCED by
steel half-moons. Ny legs were in
cased in wooden puttees, olive draD IN
color, with my trousers overlapping
them at the top. Then wooden khaki
tunic, under which was a blush gray
wooden shirt, minus collar; beneath
this shirt q wooden belly band about
six inches wide, held in place by tie
strings of white tape. On my head
was a heavy wooden trench cap, with
huge earlaps buttoned over the top
Then the equipment: A canvas Delt'
with ammunition pockets, and two
wide canvas straps like suspenders,
called I'D" straps, fastened to the belt
in front, passing over each shoulder,
crossing in the middle of my back, ana
attached by buckles to the rear OF the
belt. On the right side Of the Delt
hung q water bottle. covered with felt
on the left side was my bayonet ana
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 combination PICK ano
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. Ny waterproof sheet
looking like jelly roll, was strapped
on top of the pack, with wooden stlct
for cleaning the breach of the rifle pro
jecting from each end. On Lanyard
around my waist hung huge jack
knife with a can-opener attachment
The pack contained my overcoat, al
extra pair of socks, change OF under
wear, hold all Containing knife, fork
spoon, comb, toothbrush, lather brush
shaving soap, and razor made OF I'LL
with made in England" stamped OF
the blade; when trying to shave VIII
this it made you wish that you wer
at war with Patagonia, so that yo'
could have a 'hollow ground" stampe'
Made in Germany then your house
wifa. button-cleaning outfit, cOns1st1n
Of brass button stick, two Still
bru4hes, and a box Of "SoldierS
Friend" paste; then a shoe brush an
a box of dublin, writing pad, 1nde
ible pencil, envelopes, and pay Doot
and personal belongings, such as
small mirror, decent razor ana
sheaf of unanswered letters, and rag
In your haversack you carry your 1rO
ratiOns, meaning q tin of bully pee
four biscuits and q can containing tel
sugar and Oxo cubes; couple {
pipes and a pack of shay, tin OF TIL
oil, and a pull-through. Tommy gel
orally carries the oil with his ratlons
it gives the cheese a sort of sardln
taste.
Add to this a first-aid pouch and
long, ungainly rifle patterned after tn
Daniel Boone period, and you have
idea of a British soldier in Bhgnt
Before leaving for France, this I'll
is taken frOJu him and he is issue
with a Lee-Enfield short trench I'll
and ration bag.
IN Franrs AS EuEsiVes two gas he