216 Parachute Signal Squadron
Dress - Battle Order 1944   

(An extract from 6th Airborne Divisional Signals Operational Standing Orders dated May 1944)
  • On the Man
    • String Vest Next to skin
    • Shirt
    • Blouse
    • Trousers AV (or breeches for DRs)
    • Socks
    • Boots
    • Underpants(Summer Issue)
    • Gaiters
    • FaceVeil
    • Helmlet P type (Sanded and scrimmed)
    • Smock (Pullover - spare string vest and one pair of socks in seat pocket)
    • Gloves para (para only))
    • Identity Discs
    • Webb belt
    • 2 x Webb straps
    • Pouches basic (Bren or sten mags)
    • Toggle rope
    • Respirator
    • Clasp knife and lanyard
    • Water bottle (slung till 1st 24hr ration is consumed)
    • Knifes fighting
    • 1st Field Dressing (In correct trouser pocket)
    • Two Shell Dressings (Right hand lower smock pocket)
    • 1 Morphine Ampoule
    • Water Sterilising Tablets
    • Rifle or Sten and full mag - Revolver
    • Mae West
    • 2 x 36Grenades
    • 1 lb plastic
    • Emergency ration
    • Gloves silk
    • Mug
  • Small Pack
    • Entrenching Tool
    • Gas Cape
    • Mess Tin
    • 2 x 24 hr rations
    • Knife, fork, spoon
    • Change of underclothing
    • Small Towel (½ or ¼ large towel)
    • Holdall - Soap, comb, nail file, shaving brush, razor, razor blades (many as possible), shaving soap, toothbrush and paste, spare laces, small ball of string or twine, housewife, stick of candles.
    • Dubbin and dubbin brush
    • 2 Spare handkerchiefs
    • Elastoplast
    • Foot Powder
    • Beret
    • Pencil
    • Few nails
    • Safety pins
    • Short length of special twine for tying Para Strop (for para only).
    • AB 64 (ie, Pay Book)
    • Spare Chocolates and cigarettes as space permits