OFFICER'S BAGGAGE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 282, 17 August 1918, Page 9

OFFICER'S BAGGAGE

« WHERE THE GOOD BATMAN IS PROVED. On active service, an officer's ings not "carried on tho person" aro contained in a piece of baggage known as a Wolseley valise. Opinions differ, as to tho origin of tho name, some attributing its design to the lab, Viscount Wolseley; but it was used first in his campaigns and thus possibly derived its name. ' It is made of stout waterproof Willesden canvas, and having an inner lining or apron of waterproof stitched to the bottom and one side and fastened by straps to the other side it serves the double purpose of bed and carry-all. It measures 7ft. by 3ft. fiat, rolling up into a compass depending on tho degree of its owner's familiarity with the quartermaster or tho cunning of tho owner's batman, but usually having a diametor of 2ft. The permitted weight to officers below field rank on proceeding to France is 351b., but if tho expedient of decking the person with kit extra to tho standard laid down as to what should be carried on the person be adopted—resembling a glorified Christmas tree-so that the valise will pass the quartermaster's males. Its packing is an art given to the few: the appearance of «, straight edsed, bulgcless valise' on the trnnspdrt-limbGr betokens the master-batman (I havo person nlly_ superintended' my packing since the price of tunics became six guineas each and since a former servant's spiral nffect in rolling occasioned the loss of a Ixiot and exposed to tho vulgar gaze the bright hues of priceless pyjamas). The smaller articles, such as boots, underclothing, books, etc., are packed in tho compartment (it the head of tho valise, and tho larger ones—"flea-hag" (the popular name for the three-fold sleeping-bag), coats, together with articles that crease easily, like tunics and v slacks, aro placed flatly and evenly on the valise, insido tho edges—and thinly; at the bottom, which will bo outermost when rolled. The apron is then strapped over tho whole and the valise rolled as tightly as possible. It serves excellently the purpose of trouser-presser if tho slacks be packed and folded carefully. ■ When used as a bed the valiso is emptied and the waterproof apron is strapped over the sleeping-bag; underclothing placed in a pillow-slip makes an excellent pillow. It is used uio.ro frequently at home (especially if one's brigadier has a passion far "Night Ops") than in France; where billots often conlain a pukka bed. It is indispensable at home, also in some of tho Army's •''Furnished Quarters." The Wolseley valise possesses many advantages over tho usual cight-cornemi variety of baggage—it is more easily' handled and stowed, stands rough uaago better, and is waterproof, But it is not without anxiety one sees lus vali6e dumped in pine inches of Flanders mud. A good batman will havo it loaded among tho first on the baggage-wagon on a wet day, so that it gets the protection of its fellows during the journey, and avoids the mud at unloading by coming out on top when stacked. Another advantage is its clastic capacity; it is not claimed it will accommodate a bicycle, but mine lias held a trouser press, tennis racket, arid flying boots, -in addition to its usual complement.—Mari Demur, in the "Daily Mail.")