No names, no pack drill

Origin of: No names, no pack drill

No names, no pack drill

This expression derives from the British Army and means that if people are not named there can be no recriminations or censure. It dates from around the time of the First World War. Before this, pack drill had long been a punishment fatigue in the army. It was usually carried out at the double i.e. twice the marching speed, and with up to 30 kg of pack weight, it was extremely strenuous and much abhorred by the average soldier. But, if a soldier could not be named or identified, there would be no pack drill.