field dressing, consisting of
an antiseptic gauze pad and bandage and a small vial of iodine, sewn in
the lining of his tunic, completed the equipment.

Physically, the men were "in the pink," as Tommy says. They were
clear-eyed, vigorous, alert, and as hard as nails. With their caps on,
they looked the well-trained soldiers which they were; but with caps
removed, they resembled so many uniformed convicts less the prison
pallor. "Oversea haircuts" were the last tonsorial cry, and for several
days previous to our departure, the army hairdressers had been busily
wielding the close-cutting clippers.

Each of us had received a copy of Lord Kitchener's letter to the troops
ordered abroad, a brief, soldierlike statement of the standard of conduct
which England expected of her fighting men:--

You are ordered abroad as a soldier of the King to help our
French comrades against the invasion of a common enemy. You have
to perform a task which will need your courage, your energy, your
patience. Remember that the honor of the British Army depends
upon your individual conduct. It will be your duty not only to
set an example of discipline and perfect steadiness under fire,
but also to maintain the most friendly relations with those whom
you are helping in this struggle. The operations in which you are
engaged will, for the most part, take place in a friendly country,
and you can do your own country no better service than in showing
yourself, in France and Belgium, in the true character of a British
soldier.

Be invariably courteous, considerate, and kind. Never do anything
likely to injure or destroy property, and always look upon
looting as a disgraceful act. You are sure to meet with a welcome
and to be trusted; and your conduct must justify that welcome and
that trust. Your duty cannot be done unless your health is sound.
So keep constantly on your guard against any excesses. In this
new experience you may find temptations both in wine and women.
You must entirely resist both temptations, and while treating all
women with perfect courtesy, you should avoid any intimacy.

Do your duty bravely.
Fear God.
Honor the King.

Kitchener,
_Field-Marshal_.

It was an effective appeal and a constant reminder to the men of the
glorious traditions of the British Army. In the months that followed, I
had opportunity to l