Place for pegs in pack

Press, 11 December 1976, Page 23

Place for pegs in pack

By D. W. HODGE Clothes-pegs wiil become an essentia! part of the New Zealand soldier's accoutrement if the use to which they were put by the “Old Digs” in maintaining the peak on the “lemonsqueezer” is any indication. During World War I, and on occasions in World War 11. in base camps and training areas, it was common to see the felt hats bristling with pegs, their creates ironed out by the camp dhobie (laundryman). The “Kiwi” had a soft spot in his heart for the hat, which is to be reintroduced for use on special occasions.

It identified him primarily as an Anzac. It was to the New Zaelander what, the slouch hats were to the Australians, South Africans, and Rhodesians. It had a special meaning to those fledgling troops who on enlistment and posting to the Special Force in September, 1939, retained the badges of the Territorial Force units in which they had served — badges such as those worn by the Wellington, Wellington-West Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Taranaki companies of the 19th Wellington Battalion. The “lemon-squeezer” was part of the old serge uniform — brass-buttoned

' tunic, trousers and puttees > — which was also withi drawn in favour of forage- • cap and battledress when I the 2nd New Zealand Division arrived in the Middle ; East. i The “lemon-squeezer” is ■ not the best head-dress i when sloping or presenting 1 arms with a .303 S.M.L.E. I rifle with fixed bayonet. Today’s soldier, equipped i as he is for ceremonial drill ■ with a 7.62 mm self-loading : rifle will not experience this I difficulty on ceremonial pari ades or in the “bull-ring.” He does not slope arms. ; From the “shoulder” to • the “present" the rifle is I placed in front of the body.