SOLDIERS’ “CIVIES”

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 145, 23 October 1942, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ “CIVIES”

A Difficult Wartime Problem Almost as vexing as the age-old query of “Where do flies go in the winter time” is the question of what happens to soldiers’ “civies” in wartime. In the early stages of the war many soldiers erred 'in disposing of all their civilian clothes to find themselves in a difficult position on discharge when they had only the mufti grant (then £7/10/- and now increased to £l2/10/-) to outfit themselves completely. When-troops are mobilized for overseas service the Army now sends back to the civil address nominated by the soldier any civilian clothes he has in camp. Few soldiers, however, take a full wardrobe into camp, and it is still in their own interests to .make adequate arrangements for the care of their civilian clothing while they are away. This is not always easy for single men, and it presents some difficulties for the wives of some married men. For instance, wives who stay “put” sometimes find that their husband’s clothes take up too much room whether left in a wardrobe or carefully folded in a trunk. Those who decide to go home to mother for the duration or move into smaller or cheaper living quarters are faced with the prospect of lugging a heavy suitcase about. Unless careful attention and frequent airing are given to stored clothes there is the probability that in time they will go mildewy or become hope lessly crushed. There has yet to be inaugurated in New Zealand a “park your civies” service, but one exists in Sydney where a big department store provides it for 7/6 a year. This firm first dry cleans and thoroughly deodorizes a suit. Then it is pressed, hung on a wooden coathanger and sealed in a bag. All possible precautions are taken against moths and the suit is periodically inspected. There may not be much profit in such a service for 7/6 a year, but it is a boon to soldiers. When it comes to refitting themselves for civilian life after discharge from the Army, New Zealand soldiers are generously treated with coupons. Those with six months’ service and under 12 months get a book of 26 coupons in addition to 'the full, 26 M (in the new books, O) coupons in the civilian ration book. Personnel with more than 12 months’ service receive an issue sufficient to cover the pur chase of a complete new wardrobe. On discharge a soldier is allowed to retain the articles of military kit issued to him on loangreatcoat, battledress, cap, hat and kitbag. This leaves him with two sets of underclothing, and boots. While the coupon allowance is very fair, it stili would be an impossible job for a soldier to refit himself on the £l2/10/- mufti al lowance. A good new suit would account for most, if not all, of this sum While clothing cannot be purchased without coupons, the most generous supply of these is still not much use without money.