OFF TO THE FRONT

Evening Star, Issue 16032, 8 February 1916, Page 6

OFF TO THE FRONT

WHAT TO TAKE AND HOW TO ACT. The following advice comes from a returned officer to a friend going to tho front as a private :

Make your pack as light as possible. Bring as much gear as you like, but remember that kit-bags remain at the base, so that moans gond-bvo to the contents while you am at the front. For the voyage have an old pair of sand shoes.

In Egypt you have your black ha"with you.

Label everything and cverv part of everything.

Those are necessary: Cloth bag, rifle cover, small scissors, razor, shaving soap, brush, glass, housewife, washing soap, towel, spare underpants, singlet and military shirt, pair sox, pencils, envelopes, paper, boot-laces, tin of Keatmg's powder, six packets baking powder, £1 in your pocket, a diary, tin of curry powder, the ogg powder; earrv cigarettes in tins, the tins make good shaving mugs; take quinine and aspirin tablets, a wristlet watch with luminous dial, reading material, books and magazines; don't break leave; allot money homo 4s a day.

If aggrieved with N.C.0., you can complain to higher authority,"but get an N.G'.O. to parade you. Get vaccinated ami inoculated. Be sure and have well-fitting boots and equipment. The best way to wear your pack in the field is to make two slings, with straps supporting. Garry it separate from equipment, like a girl's school bag.

Save wliite tucker bags. Bring mosquito nets and a collapsiblo aluminium mug.

In making short rushes learn to got up and down quickly. Learn to dig in quickly with entrenching tools, and lie absolutely flat. Learn telephone work and to repair a field 'phone. Bring only cap (no hat) to trenches. Be prepared for blisters.

Learn to make biscuit porridge, pancakes, and rissoles out of bully beef, biscuits, and onions. Whatever price they ask you in Egypt, give only a, quarter of it/or elso go away without buying. They will not lose your custom, but will call you back. Remember £1 equals 97J piastres. In tli© street they only give 95. Go to the Anglo-Egyptian Bank—it will pav you.

If you send home any parcel register it. Don't use a money belt. Bring an old shaving brush to clean outside of rifle and ammunition. When going into action you don't want to bo overloaded. You have a. good chance of losing your pack. But carry the things I have said.