Charley

Charley: A familiar name for the infantry soldiers' pack. Suggested by the hump-backed appearance of a soldier in heavy marching order laden with the whole field-service equipment. Derived from an old saying that a hunchbacked man was carrying his little brother Charley on his back. "Young Charley" or "Little Charley" – a haversack. [1]

References / notes

  1. Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.52.

Glossary of words and phrases

The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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