quently it can easily be used on the
march during short halts, and whenever water is passed to
fill up water-bottles, and it is quickly packed up again. For
any individual who wishes to carry a filter on his own
person, I would recommend a small "Berkefeld Cylinder or
porous candle" and small "Pasteur pump" with the necessary
rubber tubes; this makes a very small parcel; it would only
take up about one quarter of the Service haversack, and is
well worth taking I am sure. The "Berkefeld Filter" should be
supplied to ships in case of landing Brigades--one to every
unit of 100 is the proper proportion as recommended by the
firm.]

A few remarks may not here be out of place as to the best fighting kit
to have ready for an officer who wishes to be comfortable, and also
perhaps at certain times smart, when stationary in a standing camp for
some time or on lines of communication. Needless to say that when
actually marching or fighting one wears anything and everything that
first comes to hand. Khaki has certainly done us very well; twill at
first during the heat, and serge or cord later on when the cold came
on; but it is well to avoid khaki twill in cold weather as it becomes
clammy and uncomfortable. Personally I should say that a serge or
cord, thin for heat and thick for cold weather, is much the best for
general wear.

I started the campaign with two pairs of khaki twill riding breeches
and two serge tunics (thin); these supplemented by a thick pair of
khaki riding cord breeches that I got made at Durban when the cold
came on, lasted me well through the campaign. For camp wear one can
always use the ordinary twill or serge trousers, as served out from
time to time by the Ordnance to all hands if required. On one's legs
one should wear ordinary brown leather or canvas riding gaiters, only
_not_ the Naval Service gaiters, as they are of no use for hard work
or much riding. Many of us wore putties, and the men all did, but I
don't like them myself as they are too hot in hot weather and make
one's legs sore in cold.

Riding breeches should be strapped inside the knee and doubled, and
perhaps to lace up at the knee would be more comfortable than
buttoning. Here I should mention that all the Naval officers
commanding guns were mounted, and eventually all got mounts in some
way; so riding plays a great part and is absolutely ne