Hi All
Like To Show You Something Which Is Now history.
The Opening of Hildesheim Army Fire Station By
Brigadier M.J. Wilkes.OBE.
Commander 22nd Armoured Brigade, and Hohne Garrison.
In 1985.

Brought this off e-bay a few years ago

His Jaiket's a bit tight! I remember him as an OP Officer in 42 Med Regt RA.

Royal Artillery Officers stopped wearing the Sam Browne around the late 70's early 80's, it probably co-incided with the demise of "The Batman", bit too much for the poor souls to polish! Gunner WOs 1 still wear the Sam Browne (They get the Prisoners to clean theirs).

the brigadier pictured is now,general sir m j wilkes, retired from army service in 1995.he was commissiond into the RA in 1961, [he is not wearing a sam browne,i may be wrong but it looks like a dispatch pouch,common to a lot of regiments].PS he also commanded 22SAS.still a nice piece of history.

I knew that!

Well thanks for all that gents. I thought there was a SAS connection there.

On the subject of the Sam Browne/crossbelt. That change seems to have come about around the time I was demobbed.

It does beg the question though, if officers don't wear the Sam Browne any more then where do they hang their swords ?

(answers in a plain envelope, please !)

Brum, good question - deserves an answer.

Now that it has exceeded the Statute of Limitations, a little anecdote concerning the aforementioned General. In the good old days when we queued outside the Pay Office to purchase our Petrol Coupons, circa 1965, it was De Rigueur that Officers and WOs/SNCO were served on a different day to the Rabble. On this particular day we, the Rabble, were queuing for our Coupons, Capt Wilkes having forgotten to purchase his Coupons on the alloted day decided that he would walk to the front of the Rabble queue to buy them. The Pay Office was situated at the end of the Barrack Block to the right of the Fire Point which was below the windowsill. Capt Wilkes put his briefcase, with his car keys on top, on the windowsill and whilst he was getting his Petrol Coupons I accidentally knocked his keys into the Fire Bucket, out he came, picked up his briefcase and disappeared. some while later I noticed a load of guys on what appeared to be "Outside Areas", presumably sweeping the area for the keys. If you are reading this Sir, I apologise - please don't send "The Boys" round as I have just had the double glazing done.

PS,PS. THE SAM BROWNE BELT,is still part of the uniform,IE when wearing swords on parade.