Article 1: Instructions for fitting valise equipment (1882 pattern)

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  1. The equipment consists of:
    • 1 valise complete.
    • 2 pouches.
    • 2 braces (one pair).
    • 1 waistbelt.
    • 1 mess-tin and cover.
    • 1 haversack.
    • 1 water-bottle and carrier.
    • 1 spade (when required).

 

  1. While the object is to provide means of carrying a good supply of ammunition, and the rations and articles of kit which must be borne during a campaign, it is not intended that the full equipment should be always carried in time of peace, or that the whole of the service kit should necessarily be in the valise. On the contrary, on occasions in peace, it is proposed to place in the valise merely such articles of the kit as may be wanted at the time, the residue being carried for the men in the kit bags, &c. When under exceptional circumstances on peace service, a soldier is required to travel without his kit bag (or waterproof bag), and to take with him more than the regulation kit, the extra articles can be carried in the valise, and the great coat carried under the flap.
  1. When neither valise, greatcoat, nor ammunition is carried, the pouch will be worn at the back in the centre.
  1. When only one pouch is carried, and water bottles (with spring clips) are ordered to be taken, they can, if wished, be fixed on the belt in front in the place of the second pouch. When both pouches are carried, the water bottles must be carried on the waist belt, on the right side.
  1. When spades are ordered to be carried, they must be suspended from the belt by a special frog, which is made for the purpose.
  1. When the valise is not carried, and the soldier is ordered to take more than 20 rounds of ammunition in his pouch, or to hang any other articles on his belt, The braces must be worn to support them.
  1. The waist belt, without the braces, will be found sufficient to carry the bayonet and one pouch (with 20 rounds of ammunition, if required).
  1. When the valise is ordered not to be carried, and the greatcoat has to be taken, the latter can be rolled and strapped on to the belt by the coat straps (as explained in paragraph 15). In this case the braces must be worn to support the waist belt.In this order of dress, when adopted for war, any articles of kit ordered to be taken must be carried in the coat pockets. The haversack, with current day’s rations, will be worn on the right shoulder. The clasp knife will be hung round the neck by the lanyard and stowed away in one of the pockets of the frock or trousers. The grease pot, if required, can be carried in one of the pouches.
  1. The following straps are also supplied for use with the equipment:
    • 1 water bottle strap (for water bottle without spring clip).
    • 2 great coat straps.
    • 2 mess-tin straps; also used as supporting straps.
    • The bottle strap attaches the carrier to the water bottle, passing through the metal loop of the latter.
    • The use of the greatcoat straps is explained further on.
    • The function of the mess-tin straps is a double one. When the valise is not carried, they are used buckled together, to fasten the mess-tin on top of the greatcoat. When the valise is carried, they are used as supporting straps, being fastened to the brace ring and to the buckles at the bottom of the valise. On the proper adjustment of these depends the comfort of the wearer. If correctly tightened they tend to distribute the burden over back and front by bringing part of the weight of the valise on the brace ring in front of the body.
  1. To pack Valise for peace.
    1. The shirt, rolled and placed at bottom of valise.
    2. The greatcoat folded 8 inches by 15 inches, and carried under flap of valise.
    3. Brushes, two on each side of the valise, backs inward.
    4. Socks, folded flat and laid longitudinally above shirt, and mitts placed longitudinally above socks, and pocket-ledger perpendicular on right side, next to brushes.
    5. Holdall, complete, rolled and placed flat on top of valise above mitts.
    6. Towel (and soap). Placed flat on top of socks and mitts, covering both.
    7. Tin of blacking, on left hand side of socks, next small brush.
    8. Glengarry, laid longitudinally on top of towel.
    9. Cape, rolled and strapped to bottom of valise.
    10. Oil-bottle and cleaning gear, in side pockets.

 

  1.  To pack Valise for War (Abroad).
    1. Emergency ration, at bottom of valise.
    2. Oil-bottle, in side pockets.
    3. The shirt, rolled and placed next ration at bottom of valise.
    4. Greatcoat folded 8 inches by 15 inches, and carried under flap of valise.
    5. Socks on one side, woollen cap on the other.
    6. Holdall (containing comb, knife, spoon, and fork), housewife, and pocket ledger, where convenient.
    7. Towel and soap, on the top of greatcoat.
    8. Cape, rolled and strapped to the bottom of valise.

    N.B.—haversack, with current day’s ration, worn over right shoulder.

  1. The articles should be packed in the valise in the order given above; the mess-tin, with the grease pot on top, should be placed on the top of the valise, and the whole encircled with the two greatcoat straps buckled together, which should pass through the loops on the valise.

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