Soldier's Kit
What did the typical British infantryman march around Spain and Portugal with? At some point after the Peninsular War, John S. Cooper of the 7th Royal Fusiliers, recorded the following remembrance[1]:
The following is a list of articles carried by each man during the march.
1 Fusee and Bayonet 14 lbs 1 Pouch ad sixty rounds of ball, etc 6 1 Canteen and Belt 1 1 Mess Tin 1 1 Knapsack Frame and Belts 3 1 Blanket 4 1 Great Coat 4 1 Dress Coat 3 1 White Jacket 0 ½ 2 Shirts and 3 Breasts 2 ½ 2 Pairs of Shoes 3 1 Pair Trowsers 2 1 Pair Gaiters 0 ¼ 2 Pairs Stockings 1 4 Brushes, Button Stick, Comb 3 2 Cross Belts 1 Pen, Ink, and Paper 0 ¼ Pipe Clay, Chalk, etc. 1 2 Tent Pegs 0 ½ Weight of Kit without Provisions 53 lbs Extra Weight for Marching-- Three days' Bread 3 Two days' Beef 2 Water in our canteens 3 61 lbs Besides this weight, the orderly Serjeant of each company had to carry the orderly book, whose weight was perhaps two pounds; and in turn the regimental colours.
John Green, of the 68th Light Infantry, recorded in his journal the following:
Every man had, or should have had, two spare shirts, two pair of good shoes, two pair of stockings or socks, three brushes, one razor and soap box, one screw driver and worm, two pair of gaiters, and one great coat, with several other smaller things.