SUGGESTIONS FOR "SAMMY"
I cannot end this book without saying something to those who have
boys over there and, what is more to the point, to those boys who
may go over there.
First as to the things that should be sent in parcels; and a great
deal of consideration should be given to this. You must be very
careful not to send things that will load your Sammy down, as every
ounce counts in the pack when he is hiking, and he is likely to be
hiking any time or all the time.
In the line of eatables the soldier wants something sweet. Good
hard cookies are all right. I wish more people in this country knew
how to make the English plum pudding in bags, the kind that will
keep forever and be good when it is boiled. Mainly, though,
chocolate is the thing. The milk kind is well enough, but it is apt
to cause overmuch thirst. Personally I would rather have the plain
chocolate,--the water variety.
Chewing gum is always in demand and is not bulky in the package.
Send a lot of it. Lime and lemon tablets in the summertime are
great for checking thirst on the march. A few of them won't do any
harm in any parcel, summer or winter.
Now about smoking materials. Unless the man to whom the parcel is
to be sent is definitely known to be prejudiced against cigarettes,
don't send him pipe tobacco or a pipe. There are smokers who hate
cigarettes just as there are some people who think that the little
paper roll is an invention of the devil. If any one has a boy over
there, he--or she--had better overcome any possible personal
feeling against the use of cigarettes and send them in preference
to anything else.
From my own experience I know that cigarettes are the most
important thing that can be sent to a soldier. When I went out
there, I was a pipe smoker. After I had been in the trenches a week
I quit the pipe and threw it away. It is seldom enough that one has
the opportunity to enjoy a full pipe. It is very hard to get
lighted when the matches are wet in bad weather, which is nearly
always. Besides which, say what you will, a pipe does not soothe
the nerves as a fag does.
Now when sending the cigarettes out, don't try to think of the
special brand that Harold or Percival used when he was home. Likely
enough his name has changed, and instead of being Percy or Harold
he is now Pigeye or Sour-belly; and his taste in the weed has
changed too. He won't be so keen on his own particular brand of
Turkish. Just send him the common or garden Virginia sort at five
cents the package. That is the kind that gives most comfort to the
outworn Tommy or Sammy.
Don't think that you can send too many. I have had five hundred
sent to me in a week many times and have none left at the end.
There are always men who do not get any parcels, and they have to
be looked out for. Out there all things are common property, and
the soldier shares his last with his less fortunate comrade.
Subscribe when you get the chance to any and all smoke funds.
Don't listen to the pestilential fuddy-duds who do not approve of
tobacco, particularly the fussy-old-maids. Personally, when I hear
any of these conscientious objectors to My Lady Nicotine air their
opinions, I wish that they could be placed in the trenches for a
while. They would soon change their minds about rum issues and
tobacco, and I'll wager they would be first in the line when the
issues came around.
One thing that many people forget to put in the soldier's parcel,
or don't see the point of, is talcum powder. Razors get dull very
quickly, and the face gets sore. The powder is almost a necessity
when one is shaving in luke-warm tea and laundry soap, with a
safety razor blade that wasn't sharp in the first place. In the
summer on the march men sweat and accumulate all the dirt there is
in the world. There are forty hitherto unsuspected places on the
body that chafe under the weight of equipment. Talc helps. In the
matter of sore feet, it is a life saver.
Soap,--don't forget that. Always some good, pure, plain white
soap, like Ivory or Castile; and a small bath towel now and then.
There is so little chance to wash towels that they soon get
unusable.
In the way of wearing apparel, socks are always good. But, girlie,
make 'em right. That last pair sent me nearly cost me a court
martial by my getting my feet into trench-foot condition. If you
can't leave out the seams, wear them yourself for a while, and see
how you like it.
Sleeveless sweaters are good and easy to make, I am told. They
don't last long at the best, so should not be elaborate. Any
garment worn close to the body gets cooty in a few weeks and has to
be ditched. However, keep right on with the knitting, with the
exception of the socks. If you're not an expert on those, better
buy them. You may in that way retain the affection of your
sweetheart over there.
Knitted helmets are a great comfort. I had one that was fine not
only to wear under the tin hat but to sleep in. I am not keen on
wristlets or gloves. Better buy the gloves you send in the shops.
So that's the knitted stuff,--helmets, sweaters, and mufflers and,
for the expert, socks.
Be very moderate in the matter of reading matter. I mean by that,
don't send a lot at a time or any very bulky stuff at all.
If it is possible to get a louse pomade called Harrison's in this
country, send it, as it is a cooty killer. So far as I know, it is
the only thing sold that will do the cooty in. There's a fortune
waiting for the one who compounds a louse eradicator that will kill
the cooty and not irritate or nearly kill the one who uses it. I
shall expect a royalty from the successful chemist who produces the
much needed compound.
For the wealthier people, I would suggest that good things to send
are silk shirts and drawers. It is possible to get the cooties out
of these garments much easier than out of the thick woollies. There
are many other things that may be sent, but I have mentioned the
most important. The main thing to remember is not to run to bulk.
And don't forget that it takes a long time for stuff to get
across.
Don't overlook the letters,--this especially if you are a mother,
wife, or sweetheart. It is an easy thing to forget. You mustn't.
Out there life is chiefly squalor, filth, and stench. The boy gets
disgusted and lonesome and homesick, even though he may write to
the contrary. Write to him at least three times a week. Always
write cheerfully, even although something may have happened that
has plunged you into the depths of despair. If it is necessary to
cover up something that would cause a soldier worry, cover it up.
Even lie to him. It will be justified. Keep in mind the now famous,
war song, "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile,
smile, smile." Keep your own packed up and don't send any over
there for some soldier to worry over.
Just a few words to the men themselves who may go. Don't take
elaborate shaving tackle, just brush, razor, soap, and a small
mirror. Most of the time you won't need the mirror. You'll use the
periscope mirror in the trenches. Don't load up on books and
unnecessary clothing. Impress it upon your relatives that your
stuff, tobacco and sweets, is to come along in small parcels and
often and regularly. Let all your friends and relatives know your
address and ask them to write often. Don't hesitate to tell them
all that a parcel now and again will be acceptable. Have more than
one source of supply if possible.
When you get out there, hunt up the Y.M.C.A. huts. You will find
good cheer, warmth, music, and above all a place to do your
writing. Write home often. Your people are concerned about you all
the time. Write at least once a week to the one nearest and dearest
to you. I used to average ten letters a week to friends in Blighty
and back here, and that was a lot more than I was allowed. I found
a way. Most of you won't be able to go over your allowance. But do
go the limit.
Over there you will find a lot of attractive girls and women. Most
any girl is attractive when you are just out of the misery of the
trenches. Be careful of them. Remember the country has been full of
soldiers for three years. Don't make love too easily. One of the
singers in the Divisional Follies recently revived the once popular
music-hall song, "If You Can't Be Good Be Careful." It should
appeal to the soldier as much as "Smile, smile, smile", and is
equally good advice. For the sake of those at home and for the sake
of your own peace of mind come back from overseas clean.
After all it is possible to no more than give hints to the boys who
are going. All of you will have to learn by experience. My parting
word to you all is just, "The best of luck."
GLOSSARY OF ARMY SLANG
All around traverse - A machine gun placed on a swivel to turn
in any direction.
Ammo - Ammunition. Usually for rifles, though occasionally used
to indicate that for artillery.
Argue the toss - Argue the point.
Back of the line - Anywhere to the rear and out of the danger
zone.
Barbed wire - Ordinary barbed wire used for entanglements. A
thicker and heavier military wire is sometimes used.
Barrage - Shells dropped simultaneously and in a row so as to
form a curtain of fire. Literal translation "a barrier."
Bashed - Smashed.
Big boys - Big guns or the shells they send over.
Big push - The battles of the Somme.
Billets - The quarters of the soldier when back of the line.
Any place from a pigpen to a palace.
Bleeder or Blighter - Cockney slang for fellow. Roughly
corresponding to American "guy."
Blighty - England. East Indian derivation. The paradise looked
forward to by all good soldiers,--and all bad ones too.
Blighty one - A wound that will take the soldier to Blighty.
Bloody - The universal Cockney adjective. It is vaguely
supposed to be highly obscene, though just why nobody seems to
know.
Blooming - A meaningless and greatly used adjective. Applied to
anything and everything.
Bomb - A hand grenade.
Bully beef - Corned beef, high grade and good of the kind, if
you like the kind. It sets hard on the chest.
Carry on - To go ahead with the matter in hand.
Char - Tea. East Indian derivation.
Chat - Officers' term for cootie; supposed to be more delicate.
Click - Variously used. To die. To be killed. To kill. To draw
some disagreeable job, as: I clicked a burial fatigue.
Communication trench - A trench leading up to the front trench.
Consolidate - To turn around and prepare for occupation a
captured trench.
Cootie - The common,--the too common,--body louse. Everybody
has 'em.
Crater - A round pit made by an underground explosion or by a
shell.
Cushy - Easy. Soft.
Dixie - An oblong iron pot or box fitting into a field kitchen.
Used for cooking anything and everything. Nobody seems to know why
it is so called.
Doggo - Still. Quiet. East Indian derivation.
Doing in - Killing.
Doss - Sleep.
Duck walk - A slatted wooden walk in soft ground.
Dud - An unexploded shell. A dangerous thing to fool with.
Dug-out - A hole more or less deep in the side of a trench
where soldiers are supposed to rest.
Dump - A place where supplies are left for distribution.
Entrenching tool - A sort of small shovel for quick digging.
Carried as part of equipment.
Estaminet - A French saloon or cafe.
Fag - A cigarette.
Fatigue - Any kind of work except manning the trenches.
Fed up - Tommy's way of saying "too much is enough."
Firing step - A narrow ledge running along the parapet on which
a soldier stands to look over the top.
Flare - A star light sent up from a pistol to light up out in
front.
Fritz - An affectionate term for our friend the enemy.
Funk hole - A dug-out.
Gas - Any poisonous gas sent across when the wind is right.
Used by both sides. Invented by the Germans.
Goggles - A piece of equipment similar to that used by
motorists, supposed to keep off tear gas. The rims are backed with
strips of sponge which Tommy tears off and throws the goggle frame
away.
Go west - To die.
Grouse - Complain. Growl. Kick.
Hun - A German.
Identification disc - A fiber tablet bearing the soldier's
name, regiment, and rank. Worn around the neck on a string.
Iron rations - About two pounds of nonperishable rations to be
used in an emergency.
Knuckle knife - A short dagger with a studded hilt. Invented by
the Germans.
Lance Corporal - The lowest grade of non-commissioned officer.
Lewis gun - A very light machine gun invented by one Lewis, an
officer in the American army.
Light railway - A very narrow-gauge railway on which are pushed
little hand cars.
Listening post - One or more men go out in front, at night, of
course, and listen for movements by the enemy.
Maconochie - A scientifically compounded and well-balanced
ration, so the authorities say. It looks, smells, and tastes like
rancid lard.
M.O. - Medical Officer. A foxy cove who can't be fooled with
faked symptoms.
Mess tin - A combination teapot, fry pan, and plate.
Military cross - An officer's decoration for bravery.
Military medal - A decoration for bravery given to enlisted
men.
Mills - The most commonly used hand grenade.
Minnies - German trench mortar projectiles.
Napper - The head.
Night 'ops - A much hated practice manoeuvre done at night.
No Man's Land - The area between the trenches.
On your own - At liberty. Your time is your own.
Out or over there - Somewhere in France.
Parados - The back wall of a trench.
Parapet - The front wall of a trench.
Patrol - One or more men who go out in front and prowl in the
dark, seeking information of the enemy.
Periscope - A boxlike arrangement with two mirrors for looking
over the top without exposing the napper.
Persuader - A short club with a nail-studded head.
Pip squeak - A German shell which makes that kind of noise when
it comes over.
Push up the daisies - To be killed and buried.
Ration party - A party of men which goes to the rear and brings
up rations for the front line.
Rest - Relief from trench service. Mostly one works constantly
when "resting."
Ruddy - Same as bloody, but not quite so bad.
Sandbag - A bag which is filled with mud and used for building
the parapet.
Sentry go - Time on guard in the front trench, or at rest at
headquarters.
Shell hole - A pit made by the explosion of a shell.
Souvenir - Any kind of junk picked up for keepsakes. Also used
as a begging word by the French children.
Stand to - Order for all men to stand ready in the trench in
event of a surprise attack, usually at sundown and sunrise.
Stand down - Countermanding "stand to."
Stokes - A bomb weighing about eleven pounds usually thrown
from a mortar, but sometimes used by hand.
Strafing - One of the few words Tommy has borrowed from Fritz.
To punish.
Suicide club - The battalion bombers.
Tin hat - Steel helmet.
Wave - A line of men going over the top.
Whacked - Exhausted. Played out.
Whiz-bang - A German shell that makes that sort of noise.
Wind up or windy - Nervous. Jumpy. Temporary involuntary fear.
Wooden cross - The small wooden cross placed over a soldier's
grave.
End of Project Gutenberg's A Yankee in the Trenches, by R. Derby Holmes