Monday March 4th, 1918
Work in camp, wet again
The Soldier’s Kit
Today Frank and the whole Battalion have their rifles and kit inspected.
The contrast between kit inspection once in the Army and when first joining it was called out by Staff Sergeant William Lee. Making a point about the amount of ‘red tape’ and form filling in the Army, he described the way in which the soldier’s kit was first issued: ‘The recruit presenting himself at the quartermaster’s stores for his first outfit, had the articles dumped at his feet, then a form was presented for signature. He was not allowed time to check his goods and it was usual for short delivery to be made. But the form had been signed and missing articles had to be made good out of his pay. Someone had taken credit for the paper issue, but whether this credit was used for private gain the recruit never knew.’¹
Lee clearly felt it was more ‘cock-up’ than ‘conspiracy’ as he then shared a few lines from a Base Concert party song (to the tune of Sweet Clementine):
‘Every movement of a soldier,
From the time when he is born,
Must be stated, tabulated,
On a special Army Form.’¹
Illtyd Davies, joining up as a driver in the Royal Field Artillery in April 1915, came down on the side of ‘conspiracy’. He had no such doubts about who benefited, ‘The quartermaster’s assistants, all old soldiers, skillfully extracted a few pence from the new recruits. I was handed a pair of hideous rawhide boots, the old soldier quickly noted my dissatisfaction at such monstrosities. He asked if I had ninepence, which I immediately forked out. The rawhides were quickly exchanged for a pair of good looking boots. The same deal was made to the men following behind me. A similar procedure was necessary to obtain a decent pair of riding breeches. Bribery and tricks in all trades.’²
13th (Service) Battalion War Diary – 4th March 1918 – No 1 Sector, Olasli
Rifle and Kit inspection in all Coys also baths. Whilst in Army Reserves all Coys will be inspected weekly by the MO. 1 OR (Reinforcement) having joined is taken on the effective strength from 3-3-18. 4 OR are struck off effective strength under GRO 1011 with effect from 28-2-18, 1 OR from 2-3-18 and 3 OR from 3-3-18. 3 OR having rejoined are taken on from 3-3-18. 1OR wounded in action on 1-3-18 is struck off from that date.
References & Further Reading
¹ ‘Expenses Paid’ by Staff-Sergeant William J. Lee, RAMC (1915-1919), page 40, from a collection of the Salonica Campaign Society
² ‘A Little Account’ by Illtyd Davies, page 7, from a collection of the Salonica Campaign Society