The private soldier in this illustration is in marching order, wearing the Slade Wallace equipment first introduced in 1888. The improvement on the previous 1882 pattern meant that the valise was worn higher on the back. The white leather straps came over the shoulders and fastened to two ammunition pouches on the waist-belt at the front. At the back they crossed over and were long enough to strap up the rolled greatcoat at the waist. A mess tin was kept in a waterproof cover and strapped on top of the greatcoat.
The slim belt on his left shoulder was for the water-bottle, and the strap on the right shoulder was white canvas for his haversack which, when not carrying rations, was neatly folded on his left hip. His waist-belt also supported a bayonet which had a 12 inch blade, for all ranks. The rifle is the Lee Metford, magazine .303 bolt action pattern. The magazine held 8 rounds and he had 50 rounds in each front pouch.
His uniform is as for dress parades, with the scarlet tunic, blue facings, collar badges and eight brass buttons down the front. The feather bonnet in this illustration demonstrates the fact that the diced head-band was kept hidden. This may have been a matter of pride to the regiment as the Cameron Highlanders, along with the Black Watch were distinguished by having no diced band on their undress glengarry caps.
