Description
Physical description
Daysack: pack of rucksack form with large central top-opening stowage compartment and two side pockets. Made of standard DPM (disruptive pattern material) printed nylon, the pack is of lightweight construction and all fastening points are of the black plastic push and slide type. The upper cover features an extra compartment for stowage of smaller items, closed by a horizontal zipper. The pack is heavily stained through field use.
History note
The PLCE CBT 95 (Personal Load Carrying Equipment Combat 1995) was designed and developed to enable the infantry soldier to carry ammunition and other necessaries when armed with the 5.56mm SA80 personal weapon system. As in previous sets of infantry equipment, the PLCE system is modular and components can be added or subtracted to suit the task. The nylon and plastic construction has made the equipment waterproof, lightweight, and durable in most environments. This example was worn in action by Corporal Moore MC on 13 April 2007. In an interview with the Uniform Curator, Corporal Moore explained that this daysack, carried over his Osprey body armour, was stowed to capacity with ammunition and communications equipment with an extra multi-pouch 'manbag' slung over his right shoulder to carry more rifle magazines, and a 3-litre capacity Camelbak hydration pack. Ammunition, water and protective body armour were the priority items to be carried by fighting patrols (each man carrying in excess of 60 lbs weight of equipment), replenishment of rations, etc being made in the field as appropriate. In addition to his personal weapon, Corporal Moore carried the standard bayonet, two personal fighting knives, a kukri, and a pouch containing two first field dressings, a tourniquet and some morphine syrettes.
Corporal Robert ('Billy') Moore MC of Southend on Sea joined the British Army in 1993. After completion of basic training he joined the 1st Battalion (the Vikings), The Royal Anglian Regiment, serving two tours in Northern Ireland, 1996 -97 and 1999-2001, respectively, Bosnia in 1995, Iraq 2005, before being deployed to Afghanistan during Operation HERRICK 6 in March 2007. It was there that as a Section Commander in 3 (Corunna) Platoon of A (Norfolk) Company that Corporal Moore's Section encountered five Taliban who were setting up an ambush east of Nowzad on 13 April (A Company's first contact). In the ensuing fight, Corporal Moore's gunner, Private Chris Gray was mortally wounded having killed two enemy, whilst Corporal Moore rushed forward to kill the remaining three with grenades and Gray's automatic weapon. Corporal Moore was wounded in the right upper arm by a 7.62mm round fired from an RPK, losing a large part of his deltoid muscle. Despite the severity of his wound he remained focused, and maintained command of his section, preventing further enemy cohesion and extracting Private Gray to the designated casualty evacuation point under constant harassing fire. After receiving initial first aid Corporal Moore was later flown to Camp Bastion where he was examined by surgeons before being sent to England for further medical attention. Indeed, after receiving treatment at Headley Court and a further spell at Pirbright Barracks (the Vikings' garrison) on light duties, Corporal Moore rejoined the Battalion in the field in late August to complete the tour, his wound healed and his physical fitness restored. For his acts of leadership, determination and courage, Billy Moore was awarded the Military Cross by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 1 May 2008.
