What is the meaning of No. 1 mess kit?

[macwilkin]

Since we're discussing Mess Dress, we shouldn't forget "Red Sea Rig" for those somewhere "east of Suez...where a man can raise a thirst". (with apologies to Mr. Kipling)

http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/r...es/msnrsr1.jpg

The Clan Campbell Society has this brief discussion of the Highland version of RSR:

For those occasions where black tie is required but where the climate makes jackets uncomfortable, the Highland regiments adopted what the British Services term "Red Sea Rig" for officers mess dinners in the tropics. Tartan trews are worn with an evening long sleeved shirt and black bow tie. The top of the trews are hidden not by a belt but by a silk cummerbund. The cummerbunds were of regimental tartan but with the dark Campbell tartan a red, green or blue cummerbund could be effective. British miniature decorations were not normally worn with this less formal rig.

-- http://www.ccsna.org/jsep46.htm

Regards,

Todd

[Bob C]

No. 1 mess kit:



No. 2 mess kit:



Sorry! Just couldn't resist...!

My Boy Scouts mess kit was the first thing that came to my mind, too.

Enjoy your event, Beck.