Other Ranks 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment waist belt : Victorian Military Forces

Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March and April 1891) with Victorian Other Ranks cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is made from one piece of leather (measuring 1 3/4 inches in width). An adjustable billet and brass buckle lie at each end so the length can be adjusted while keeping the loops in their proper positions for braces when worn. Three brass buckles are secured between two layers of stitched leather in the centre back section of the belt. The two outer buckles attach to braces when worn; the centre one attaches to a mess tin strap. A running loop with a brass D loop is provided at each end of the belt for the front of the brace to pass through. The belt has a rectangular safe (tongue) behind the buckle which is attached to the belt with a running loop. This type of safe would normally be found on an 1882 Pattern waist belt. Another running loop lies behind the proper right side buckle matching the one on the safe.The locket (tongue) of the buckle depicts a crown similar to St Edward's and used during Queen Victoria's reign. The circular surround has the words ‘AUT PACE AUT BELLO VICTORIA’ (In Peace and in War). The belt has a number of illegible handwritten markings.

The 1888 Pattern Valise Equipment was also known as the Slade-Wallace equipment, after its two designers, Colonel Slade and Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Wallace. The complete equipment consisted of a waist belt, two ammunition pouches, a pair of braces with movable buckles and a keeper, two greatcoat straps, a mess-tin strap, and a valise to carry clothing, cutlery and other personal equipment. This pattern was issued to British and colonial forces but was replaced with 1903 Bandolier equipment after its performance was criticised in the Boer War. The 1888 Pattern equipment was in service at most for 15 years though some parts such as waist belts, were retained for ceremonial purposes. The Mk II pattern waist belt varies from the Mark I in that the belt is made of one piece of leather but the buckles along the centre back are encased in a second layer of leather. The Mark III belt was made in three sections of leather joined by brass rings. In 1893 the Victorian Military Forces adopted the motto 'PRO PATRIA ET DEO VICTORIA' (For God and Country) and waist belts made from this date use an updated locket. However, the older version of the waist belt would have continued to be worn for some years until replaced.