Clothing and Equipment

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There was also the "24 Volt, 2 Stage, Axial Starter Motor" as fitted to the Ferret Scout Car. I got a "School Standard" for my TP on that one at Bovington! [/quote]


"Bovvy" was the place to go for courses all right.

Anything you couldn't understand, like how the fluid coupling works for example, off you went, into the Model Hall. There it all was, cutaway, working models of engines and components.

Excellent !

Picture of my shoe-brushes in use during basic training.

Got a three cornered linen basket which I had in my single room as a young Sgt. When I got married in 1961 I took it with me to my married quarter on the back of my motorcycle.
It was full of dhobi which my new wife kindly processed (what a rotter). It has the part number KA 16686 - any eagled-eye QM type recognises this number !! I'm only joking.

Jimsigs1

Jim, I recently retired after 24 years as a Barracky Bill and I recognise that Part Number, it has now been superseded by the NATO Number 7105 99 910 2583!

Hi Sheldrake,

That's amazing. I'm godsmacked. Anyway, can you please arrange a replacement as this one is getting a bit worn after 50 years.

Jimsigs1

Hi All,

Just thought I would include a photo taken at the Berlin Reichkanzler Platz NAAFI in 1953. Nice shot of the BAOR flash used by us in HQ BAOR Signals Regiment - Herford

There you go, Jim. Tidied it up a bit for you.

If you want a larger copy, I can email it to you.

jimsigs1 wrote:

Hi Sheldrake,

That's amazing. I'm godsmacked. Anyway, can you please arrange a replacement as this one is getting a bit worn after 50 years.

Jimsigs1

No problems Jim, if you let me have your address I will pop round some time to ascertain whether I need to raise a charge or if it's "Fair wear an Tear".

Oh dear.Box creases and whitened tapes,That brings bnack memories.

Hi Dolmetscher,

That's fantastic. I'm afraid that the original photo had faded and gone somewhat sepia, but you have done a great job.and I thank you for all your hard work. A copy would be appreciated if I give you my email address.
Also in transferring the photo I only had full size and thumbprint size to choose from using Photobucket.

Jimsigs1

Hi Shelldrake,

Will I get a one for one and will it be in the original design given that the basket now enjoys a Nato part number.

Jimsigs1

Gordon,

I'm afraid the pleats & whitened stripes were the order of the day then. That was before the smaller ready whitened stripes wre issued for the No 2 dress.
With regard to the OWL (wireless) badge above the stripe, I seem to remember that a local B1 upgrade course was held in Germany around 1953 and these was a L/Cpl who passed and wore a sparky badge on both sleeves.

Jimsigs1

jimsigs1 wrote:

Hi Dolmetscher,

That's fantastic. I'm afraid that the original photo had faded and gone somewhat sepia, but you have done a great job.and I thank you for all your hard work. A copy would be appreciated if I give you my email address.
Also in transferring the photo I only had full size and thumbprint size to choose from using Photobucket.

Jimsigs1

Jim. PM me your email address and I'll send you a full-size JPG.

Hi Dolmetscher,

Email sent by PM.

Jimsigs1

I think its better in some respects now with the kit we were getting issued...but i know myself i preferred to buy my own boots and stuff especially boots as i ave funny feet.
The only trouble with this is some SSms got tetchy about it. Saying if its not issued it shouldnt be worn.

Personally think this is wrong but understand the reasoning about uniformity and all looking the same. So we just stuck to wearing non issued kit mainly on exercise when we could get away with it.

I started with 58 patttern webbing and i think the stuff we have nw is a slight improovement although i did like the old stuff as you could configure it better and stitch it together easier to make it more comfortable. Used mainly waterbottle pouches on mine for a real snug fit.

I remember when the boots DMS (Directly Moulded sole) came in at AAS Chepstow in 63, we lads thought we were 'Commandos.'

Also recollect the combat jackets coming in. Actually in 1966, When the Army Apprentice Schools were renamed Army Apprentice Colleges, A/T's then wore their future corp badge, at Chepstow, 95% RE and a few RAOC - Ammo Techs, who passed out as CPL's. Aged 18 years ! Can you imagine a 18 yr old Cpl, coming into man's service, they would have copped some.
The RE lads just as mere Sappers.

Was a bit like that when i joined in 87 Les started training as AR at Arborfield....yes was reme first then transferred. At teh time there you had PMC who had there own junior RSM and most othere ranks. Blow me did they think they were gods gift and i bet they got a shock when they got to a proper regiment.

Remember the boots with moulded soles we were issued with in Korea. The yanks would give you anything for a pair of those as they had ordinary leather soled boots - which leaked. Quite a bit of business going on with the QM stores.
The yanks had the money and we had the goods.

Jimsigs1

jimsigs1 wrote:

Remember the boots with moulded soles we were issued with in Korea. The yanks would give you anything for a pair of those as they had ordinary leather soled boots - which leaked. Quite a bit of business going on with the QM stores.
The yanks had the money and we had the goods.

Jimsigs1

They sound like the ones that were around late 50s/early 60s in Nienburg and Paderborn, Jim.

We knew them a Boots CWW and called them "Cobbly Wobblys".

Great big clumsy things, I recall and they had an insole which reappeared in the DMS boots later.

(Imagine the Brits actually having better kit than the Yanks !).

I went ski-ing (adventure training) to Feldberg, which is situated about 20 miles from Freiburg, in Bavaria. Before we went we were kitted out with the latest in Ski Haute Couture, Boots CWW and white ski suits and to complete the ensemble, wooden planks which we were told, were Skis! We must have looked a right bunch of numpties. The problem with the Boots CWW, as Brum says, were the insoles, if they were too small your big toe hung over the front of them resulting in humungous blisters.

That was it Brum, cobbly wobblies. Great boot and yes they were one of the only bit of kit that was better than the Yanks had.
Another bit of useful kit was the long johns, only because when you went for a sh*t you didn't have to undresss completely, down with the combat trousers and undo the button on a flap at the back. Wonder what the womens services used during the bitter weather (no, don't go into grafic detail fellows).

Lastly, what about those funny plain khaki caps we had. They had a peak and your worw your cap badge in the centre.

Jimsig1

Jim, they were replaced with an identical one only in DPM, they didn't catch on either. We also had the Cap, Comforter which was designed to be worn under the Helmet, Steel, don't know of anyone who could wear both at the same time.

Quote :

Can you imagine a 18 yr old Cpl, coming into man's service

Yep...Lots of Signals techs went straight in as L/Cpls and many made Cpl still aged 18..I got my second the day before my 19th birthday..
Should add ,,they were all ex brats.

Quote :

the Cap Comforter

Only ever used it as a scarf

Quote :Can you imagine a 18 yr old Cpl, coming into man's service

Left Harrogate July 1952, three stripes on March 19th 1954. Far too early and I was tuck for years, firstly 3.5 years as acting and 8 years as substantive, before making SSgt.

Jimsigs1