Port Pirie RSL & Military Museum
294 The Terrace
Port Pirie SA 5540
As a soldier of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), your kit bag held all your belongings. Made of strong canvas, the bag was versatile, cheap to produce, easy to carry, took up little room and, if needed, served as a pillow.
Soldiers were issued with their uniform and kit in accordance with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Order No. 2 of 26 August 1914 before embarking for overseas service. The prescribed uniform included AIF badges, two service jackets, two pairs of breeches, a dungaree jacket and trousers, braces, a field service cap, felt hat, great coat, two pairs of boots, puttees and shoe laces.
The kit comprised two identity discs, two sets of underclothes, socks, basic toiletry items, a field dressing, eating utensils and some small useful items. Each man was responsible for the items issued, and regular inspections were carried out to ensure they were in order. While the men were at the front, only absolutely necessary items were carried in haversacks. Their bags were placed in kit stores.
Driver Charles Berry's mate Bob originally had enlistment number 1 in the 43rd Battalion until he was transferred to another unit and Charles was given Bob's number. Charles enlisted at Morphettville, South Australia, in February 1916. He embarked from Adelaide for overseas service on HMAT Afric 4 months later. The 43rd fought in Belgium at the Battle of Messines and later were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as'Passchendaele'. In 1918, the unit served on the Somme, at places such as Villers-Bretonneux, Hamel, Mont St Quentin and the Hindenburg Line.
Charles, with his teams of horses and mules, carted ammunition, water, supplies and equipment to troops in the lines. On 29 September 1918, Charles received a gunshot wound in the leg and his horse was killed. He was hospitalised and by the time he had recuperated the war had ended. He returned to Australia in May 1919 with his kitbag that been with him to Egypt, several times to England, France and Belgium.
References
- Diary of L/Cpl C B Berry, 43rd Battalion, Port Pirie RSL & Military Museum
- Service Records of Charles Bowyer Berry, NAA: B2455; BERRY C B.