cessary if one
wishes to be useful.

I also had two pairs of strong brown boots (an emphasis on the brown),
they are far the best; and the soles should be protected with small
nails carefully put in so as not to hurt one's feet. A pair of
rubber-soled shoes for scouting, sporting, or camp work, and a pair of
warm slippers to sleep in are indispensable. Long rubber or sea-boots,
on account of their weight and bulk, are a nuisance. When it rained in
South Africa it so quickly dried up that we found rubber shoes quite
good enough for everything.

It is useful to take three flannel shirts, and under-clothing in
proportion; cholera belts also become necessary to most of us I am
afraid, and are very important; it is also advisable to have plenty of
socks and to change them frequently. Light silk neck-scarves are most
useful and prevent sunburnt necks; and in the cold and bitter winds we
experienced, and when sleeping in the open at night with heavy frosts,
Balaclavas, woollen comforters, Tam-o'-shanters, and Jaeger gloves are
highly desirable. Thanks to our kind friends at home we were loaded
with these articles during the campaign and found them invaluable.

In the hat line our bluejackets' straw hats, smartly covered with
khaki twill and with cap ribbon, did very well for the sun and are
nice and shady; they also last a long time when covered well, or even
when painted khaki colour which stiffens and preserves them. I found
my helmet also useful till I lost it. It is as well to take one
Service cap with khaki covers, and a squash hat of gray or khaki;
these latter are most comfortable and everybody wore them in camp; but
I found that they don't keep out the sun enough during the day, they
stow very close however, and can always be worn if one loses or
smashes one's other hats.

As to bedclothes, this is a most important matter in the freezing
cold. I advise a Wolseley valise to be got at the Army and Navy
Stores, with mattress and pillow and Jaeger bag inside; one should
have over one at night the two Service blankets allowed, and one's
great-coat. Unless one sleeps on a stretcher, which can't be always
got, it is well to cut long grass and put it under the valise in the
cold weather, as it makes a wonderful difference on the frozen ground
and gives one a good night as a rule.

If there are means of transport, it is as well to carry a Wolseley kit
bag to hold one's clothes and boots, etc. I think that every officer
i