Clothing and Equipment

1. ref John Boy

Hi! Boots POL (to my knowledge and ones issued to me in a very brief and incomprehensible
period with Royal Sigs in TA) were standard ammunition boots without studs, but with a
black neoprene sole screwed on with brass screws. I assume "POL" indicates they were for
working in areas where a spark from studs could be dodgy. And for R.Sigs, where you were
taught to jump down the last step from a truck which had high voltage stuff in the back,
that procedure and black rubbery soles probably reduced the possibility of earthing.
(That's a guess ! I could never understand all the technical stuff the communicators
found interesting)..

2 . Ref Brum & kit

'Lo again! thanks for the response. I don't think many NS lads had more than two BDs
unless, like me, they were well in with the BQMS. (I used to pick him up a couple of
bottles when I was DR ing or detached with my OP crowd on schemes). He let me have
one of those greenish khaki Canadian outfits, but the Kraut tailors made a balls of it and
it finished up too small.

Best thing I ever acquired was an airborne Dennison smock. I ditched the top stuff on
schemes and rifle shoots and slipped on the camouflage when I was in TAVR.
Not to hide, but for comfort. I still have it. I went to watch one of those re-enactment
do s a short time ago. I asked the lot dressed up as Arnhem warriors what it was worth.
£250 to £350, they said, more if I could prove it had been in action. Weekend schemes
and days at Strensall don't count.

I'm tempted to put a couple of holes in it and rub on a cut finger. I'm still looking for
the bit of paper with the address on it........

' Hi Gordon! 13 studs ? I won't argue with a brigadier.....You are probably right, it's a long time since 1956 ! Though maybe it's either my big feet or the number was reduced to save a copper or two and balance the Army Estimates.

Anyway, I reckon the DMS boots were the best I ever had, always kept my feet warm and dry.
Can't understand why there was a problem in the Falkands..........

Just seen Woody's bit about 37 pattern webbing....... You'll remember you had to make sure there was no blanco lodged in the holes in the rivets that held the brass bits on the end of straps. I smoked a pipe, the pipe cleaners were ideal for the job, better than stuffing a corner of yellow duster round a matchstick.

First thing we had to do after getting our issue was to cut the insides out of the small pack........ otherwise the plywood or cardboard bits couldn't be inserted to smarten them up.
And no! those bits weren't issue, we had to scrounge something suitable. We NS & RA lads were never trusted to have small arms ammunition, so, on schemes, our pouches, sized for Bren mags, were filled with shoe brushes, mugs enamel, fags, matches and half a bog roll. It would have been most inconvenient to be issued with any quantity of 0.303 or 36 grenades..

Hi Fellas,

Been absent for a couple of weeks but during that time I visited the Royal Signals Reunion at Blandford. Great stuff - the parade etc but then came rain and they had to lay on the wet weather programme. So it was the band inside etc.
Whilst there I finally got to the bottom of the Corps RSM saga. Yes, the Royal Signals has a Corps RSM based at Blandford where he is the Commander R Sigs assistant for all discopline matters etc.
Here is a photo of him and the RSM of School of Signals.
Viewers will note that his rank badge has the laurel wreath around the coat of arms.
The subject came up a few weeks ago and no one seemed sure of the rank and its badge.
Regards
Jimsigs1

At first glance I thought it was going to be a picture of you Jim !

That Corps RSM badge is not one I ever remember seeing.

Is that Gordon to the right with the Beret he uses for smuggling plates out of the Cookhouse?

It`s not a badge i would have recognised. I am glad to say i never had a beret like that.It looks like he forgot to take the plate out

Shelldrake wrote:

Is that Gordon to the right with the Beret he uses for smuggling plates out of the Cookhouse?

Come on now gents !

As any MT bloke will tell you, clearly that is the cupola cover from a Bedford RL.

Honestly !

Didn`t know they did them in that colour Brum.

On reflection, it might be General Jim, he sported a Beret like that.

jimsigs1 wrote:

Hi Fellas,

Been absent for a couple of weeks but during that time I visited the Royal Signals Reunion at Blandford. Great stuff - the parade etc but then came rain and they had to lay on the wet weather programme. So it was the band inside etc.
Whilst there I finally got to the bottom of the Corps RSM saga. Yes, the Royal Signals has a Corps RSM based at Blandford where he is the Commander R Sigs assistant for all discopline matters etc.
Here is a photo of him and the RSM of School of Signals.
Viewers will note that his rank badge has the laurel wreath around the coat of arms.
The subject came up a few weeks ago and no one seemed sure of the rank and its badge.
Regards
Jimsigs1

Was that picture taken in the mess Jim ?

If so, that bloke with the remarkable lid should get himself a few "extras" I think !

Two smart looking chaps ! Wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of either. But the rank badge with the wreath....... Is it the Royal Coat of Arms in the middle or something else ?

And a bit naughty criticising the chap with the bin lid to keep the rain out........ He comes from a different era (mine, perhaps ! ) when shrinking a beret was an art about which little was known.

In fact, when you see some of those wartime pics, when the fore & aft ( the c.... cap, from its shape. Adaptable for cold weather, ears could be hidden behind bits that unfolded) was on the way out and the one piece beret hadn't arrived yet, none of the different ways adopted to wear the thing bodged together out of half a dozen bits of khaki cloth can be said to be becoming to the late WW2 wearer. You could really nick a plate with one of those.

I can tell most of you hated the No.1 Dress cap, I never had an OR pattern, but I had a similar dislike of the beret and can remember checking my shadow on the tarmac to make sure it was at the right angle. I think nearly all the caps the Army adopted were the worst items we had to wear.

MESS Brum ? Not likely! Sam Brownes, furled umbrellas, Legion members with caps ........ No Way ! And conclusively..... Not a pint pot in sight.

Few will agree, but the one I liked most of all was the peaked, Afrika Korps style topping which came with combat kit. Not much good in the rain, and dodgy when pushing through scrub when the peak hid eye- level branches, but comfy in sun and, until the peak collapsed,
something that could be squashed into a pocket and quickly shoved back in to shape when necessary.

Quote :

But the rank badge with the wreath.......

I`ve been trying to get a clearer picture of the badge,without succes.Perhaps Jim could give us a description.

Cartav,
The picture was taken in the main theatre hall which was being used for the wet weather programme.

Gordon,
The Corps RSM's rank badge is the coat of arms with a sprig of laurels either side of the badge.

I only sent the photo as the subject cropped up a few weeks ago. It was not really intended for those eagled eyes amongst you that missed the main picture and seemed more interested in the chap wearing the beret and the subject of copolas on Bedford QLs.

Jimsigs

jimsigs1 wrote:

Cartav,

I only sent the photo as the subject cropped up a few weeks ago. It was not really intended for those eagled eyes amongst you that missed the main picture and seemed more interested in the chap wearing the beret and the subject of copolas on Bedford QLs.

Jimsigs

Jim !,

This forum is populated with "those eagle eyed".

The photo of the badge of rank has allready sparked off a lot of discussion.

Yer' man's beret was bound to attract some ribald comment.

The RL's cupola cover was inclined to blow off at high speed, I bet that beret never will !

Funny there were no comments on the guy with the umberella or why the two ladies had their hands on hips ..........................do

Jimsigs1

jimsigs1 wrote:

Funny there were no comments on the guy with the umberella
Jimsigs1

Now you mention it Jim, that bloke with the umbrella, isn't he the editor of Private Eye ?

Mess Brum ? Not likely! Sam Brownes, furled umbrellas, Legion members with
caps ........ No Way ! And conclusively..... Not a pint pot in sight. ....QUOTE !


Fairs fair ! Credit where it's due !

Quote :

The RL's cupola cover was inclined to blow off at high speed,

I don`t remember ours ever being fitted.We were up and down like bloody yo yo s.

And why did the ladies have their hands on hips???

Hands on hips Brum, must be the Blandford air - you remember it Brum don't you !

Sorry Brum, should have meant Gordon.

Jimsigs1

Lost me with this one Jim

jimsigs1 wrote:

Sorry Brum, should have meant Gordon.

Jimsigs1

I should think so TOO sir !

Donkeywalloper I may once have been but Scaleyback ?

Niemals !

Gordon,

The hands on hips remark reminds me that since Google says Blandford is famous for its ' Blandford Fly' it may have a strange effect on its inhabitants hence the hands on hips stance, standing guard with umberellas and even wearing berets like the cupola of a WW2 Bedford QL.
Your places served does say you served in Blandford - be careful Gordon, its catching.

Jimsigs1