Topic: AIF - Lighthorse
Australian Light Horse Regiments, AIF
Marching or Service Order Field Kit
The following is an extract from the book by Hall, RJG, The Australian Ligth Horse, Melbourne 1967, pp. 33 - 34.
Marching or Service Order Field Kit
(1) Articles worn or carried on the soldier
Articles
Field cap (with badge)
Frock
Breeches, cord
Braces
Flannel shirt
Flannel belt
Drawers
Socks
Ankle boots
Putties
Jack spurs
Field dressing and description card.
Haversack with balance of day's ration.
Water bottle (filled) with strap.
Clasp knife and lanyard.
Bandolier, waist-belt and attachment with 100 rounds of .303 in ammunition. Rifle, with sling, pull through, clearing rod and full oil bottle.
Bayonet and scabbard.
Waist belt and frog.
Total carried by soldier - 39 lbs 8 ¼ ozs.
If mobilization takes place during the winter months, the jersey will be worn. Wagonmen carry their rifles; batmen (riding spare horses) wear them slung. In the case of Lancers the lance will be carried as a subsidiary weapon, and with other corps a pistol.
(2) Articles worn or carried on the horse
Articles
Saddle, complete with headrope, bridle, and breast-plate
Shoe case, with 1 fore and 1 hind shoe
Nose- bag, with 6 lbs corn
Forage net
Picketing gear
Surcingle pad
Great Coat
Mess tin and strap
Wallets, packed
Total carried on horse – 76lbs 5¼ozs
Weight of rider - 140 lbs
Total on horse – 255 lbs 13½ ozs
(3) Articles packed in the wallets
Articles
Harness
Horse brush and curry comb
Horse rubber
Stable sponge
Emergency ration
Tin of grease
Socks (1 pair)
Flannel shirt
Holdall, with comb, knife, fork, spoon, shaving brush, razor and case
Worsted cap
Towel and soap
Boot laces (1 pair)
Wallets, empty, and straps
Total weight (included in total on horse - 9 lbs 5¾ ozs
(4) Articles packed in the valise
Articles
Breeches, cord (pair) - 1
Housewife, fitted - 1
Drawers (pair) - 1
Canvas shoes - 1
Cloth brush - 1
Small book - 1
Valise - 1
Total weight - 6 lbs 12½ ozs
If not in wear the jersey will be carried in the valise.
(5) Articles packed in the kit bag*
Articles
Frock - 1
+ Boots ankle (pair) - 1
Putties - 1
Notes:
* The kit bags will be taken as far as the base only, and be there left in charge of the storemen who remain permanently attached to a general depot.
+ The boots will be tied together with the soles outwards, the regimental number of the man and the name of the unit being chalked or otherwise legible marked on the soles. The boots will be packed last, and placed in the mouth of the kit bag to admit of their being readily withdrawn should it be necessary to order them to be forwarded to the front.
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Further Reading:
The Australian Light Horse, AIF, Contents
Citation: Australian Light Horse Regiments, AIF, Marching or Service Order Field Kit
