Jonathan. You have a very smart-looking, polished DIII. It is a good picture and feel I can reach out for the key and start sending VE Z [dot dot dot dash - dot - dash dash dot dot] 'offer of a written message'. The message would read Good to hear from you! It is a long time ago, some seventy years, since I had a cable reeler in my hands and can't remember if the frame was wood or metal, the latter I think. We did have linesmen's belts and for an 18-year-old felt really professional wearing the kit but again cannot recall the style of pliers we used but had clasp knives. I do remember the care we took when joining two cables: after baring the cable ends, tying the two lengths of cable together with the much practiced reef knot and then having provided a longer length of the copper wire we would bind the joint before covering it with insulating tape. We did this in order to cut down the resistance. We liked the Fullerphones and the facility of using them on lines simultaneously being used for speach transmission. As they operated on DC we had to compensate by fitting a Superimposing Unit (One Transformer) on the switchboard 10-line Universal to cut out interference with AC equipment. Personally thought they had a nice easy morse key and felt like a Rolls-Royce compared with DV. Of course, most of us as young lads preferred to be operating the 18WS. We were very much into radio and having a radio set that could transmit was a fascinating novelty. Netting the sender to the receiver was a technical challenge and then tuning into control and getting 'netted' to all the outstations was very satisfying. Then when we had the artillery link into us, it was great to be in contact with other guys outside our unit although 'chat' was ruled out. The Artillery had to be on listening watch to what was being transmitted, essential during operations so that they could anticipate our needs in the way of opportunity fire support. It was drilled into us never to use the word 'repeat' in radio transmissions or on line as it was a fire order and instead use the phrase 'say again' when you wanted to hear the whole transmission or when for part of it 'say again all after ???' As a signallers manning the Signals Office at Battalion Headquarters when stationed in Lowestoft on the East Anglian coast which was an active Naval small boat station frequently in operation against German shipping, we had a line to the 'Crows Nest' and delightful WRENS operated their switchboard. Chat was excellent, especially during the long hours of the night and many favourable contacts were made. One of our lads got married to a WREN, but he didn't operate the switchboard he was a Despatch Rider! I liked being a infantry signaller as it put you at the heart of things, either at Bn HQ or being close to the Company Commander because he relied on your ability to keep in touch with the Battalion CO. First and foremost, of course, as a signaller you were an infantryman and had to be able to use your rifle and bayonet, throw grenades, and that was especially so when you were attached to a Rifle Company Commander and things got tough. Cold morning here in Worcestershire, but not too bad for the second half of November . . . alas, as an 91-year-old always feel the cold! Regret never got to visit New Zealand but twice to Australia, the last occasion in the late 1970s when I retired and had a three months trip starting in Hong Kong but very much regret my wife and I did not spend time in your lovely country. It was our intention to do so later, but later never came . . . Warm regards, Joe
Joe Thanks again for you're your replies and insight. Very nice to talk to you, I can see you would have inspired confidence in your men. With all of my equipment I keep it well looked after, usually with the big clean when I first receive an item, and repair anything and take it apart. I like to see how it is constructed and worked. Here is the hand held cable winder I have seen some dated 1938 before this one has no date, but Must be from around 1938 to 40s I have see some photographs of men laying cable with this type in action. I have the reeling handle in another box otherwise I would have photographed it attached. Do you no what the small leather pouch could be for? I can find no reference. You must have seen a few of these the "S' cells and dry cells of different types. I was very lucky to get a batch of unused WW1 and WW2 dates "S" cells. You must have learnt allot of skills in your role as a infantry signaller. Yes, New Zealand is a very beautiful country, with some Similarities Scotland I have been told in the countryside. It has been a nice warm day on this side of the world. Most of the early of immigrants were of Scottish Irish and English decent Best regards Jonathan
Here are examples of the Pliers frog the original leather still used in WW2 plus the later web type. Joe one other question about watches as an officer did you have to supply your own or were you supplied one? Also were signals supplied with the GSTP pocket watches to keep time or were they for the signals office or supplied with wireless equipment ? Sorry if to many questions Best Regards Jonathan
Jonathan. Great to see the cable winder. Yes, we used these and they did have a wood frame not metal! The pocket? No idea; possibly for spare insulation tape and/or copperwire for binding joints. We always kept in reserve a store of these inert Leclanche cells; just add water, preferable distilled water. They had a very long shelf-life. Have you come across Telephone L which replaced the DV? Or, the sound-powered head and breast set telephone used in the Mortar Platoon to link 3-inch mortars to the fire controller? Do you have an Instrument Testing No. 1, for testing the circuit of cable reels by tracing and locating faults. For instance not sure of the insulation: testing a drum of cable could save a lot time and energy for the line-laying parties. The Instrument Testing Unit also test voltage of 1.5v cells? Yes, as Signal Officer, I had an issued watch and was responsible for 'Battalion Time'. When the Battalion Commander ended his Orders Group he would usually call on the S.O. to synchronise the watches of all the Rifle Company and special arms officers to ensure we all worked on exactly the same time, which I had previously secured from the Brigade Signals Officer. Later we acted on 'BBC Time Signals' as correct time. Time was the key controlling factor for launching and controlling the elements in an attack, and to conform to firepower plans of mortars and/or artillery (when a barrage started and the precise moment it would lift.) We had an allotment of watches in the Signals Platoon for NCOs and myself. Jonathan, I am very impressed by your collection and knowledge of sigs equipment. Let me know if I can continue to be of help. With warm regards. Joe
What is my greatest joy in life, More precious even than my wife, So comforting 'midst all this strife? My Fullerphone. How well I love your merry tricks; Even when your buzzer sticks; Delighting me with faint key clicks; Oh Fullerphone. How tunefully your buzzer throbs As tenderly I turn those knobs. Most fascinating of all jobs. Oh Fullerphone. Potentiometer, its true I'm not sure what to do with you. Yet even you add beauty to My Fullerphone. Oh how I pity those poor souls Who daily work remote controls, Attached to crazy wireless poles. Oh Fullerphone. They never hear the tuneful tones Of perfect Morse within their 'phones: Just atmospherics, shrieks and groans. Oh Fullerphone. But I must cease to write more verse. Communication getting worse. No wonder that I rave and curse At Fullerphone. Asthmatic buzzers, - crazy keys. How can one live a life of ease, With damful instruments like these Foul Fullerphones! Unknown. Larkspur to Clansman -me and what joy it was.
Joe Glad you are enjoying the pics, thanks that would make sense about the pocket...insulation tape and/or copperwire for binding joints. I have a DV, I have seen the Telephone L, but I have only come across 1950s examples I would like to find a good WW2 example. I have 2, Q and I Detectors they are WW1 dated with leather cases not the same, but the earlier model? Is the Instrument Testing No. 1 metal and Bakelite instrument with a webbing strap? Here is one of my Q and I detectors I do not have the the sound-powered head and breast set telephone, now more things to Look for. Here is a puzzle for you do you remember one of these ? This before I cleaned it up. Regards Jonathan
Wills. Thanks for a great contribution. . . it made my day! I do recall touching the knob tenderly and the buzzer throbbing responsively! I really liked the Fullerphone; beautifully designed as opposed to the D V telephone which was a tin box. As an 18-year-old I was intrigued I could actually send morse at the same time as someone else was speaking on the line and had a desire to prove it by ear-dropping on the conversation. Regards, Joe.
Loved the sigs stuff. I worked on RAF Sigs for too many years even after I became a supplier so its interesting to see how things have moved on. Hope you do many more postings Jonathan
Jonathan. A very nice testing unit. I see it has three terminals like the one we used but ours had a switch on top to select voltage or amperage. If I remember, we used only two terminals as one was for testing 3v and we did not need this. The Signals Stores at Bn. HQ always kept the one Instrument Testing Unit we had and it was regularly used for testing radio valves to find faulty filaments. In the field - say, at a signal terminal with a rifle company HQ - you could only find a faulty valve by replacing each one in turn until you found the one that needed replacement. A tedious procedure not always done in congenial circumstances. Thank you also for the photograph of the powerful-looking morse key unit in the leathercase. Obviously WW1 as I never came across it during my time in the Signals. I like the leathercase, it will polish up well and be a nice piece to have on display. I wonder what other 'signal goodies' you have to show me! Have you had much success in collecting copies of signal messages sent during WW2. I was quite chuffed to have the one to show in my website sent by the I.O. 144 Infantry Brigade to Division alerting about the movement and identification of infantry troops being moved from a reserve area into the battle taking place in Flushing. Warm regards, Joe.
Fullerphone Mk IV - 1939 (STV3 P21) Manual Telephone Set F Mk I - 1939 (STV3 P23) Telephone set D Mk III - 1926 (STV3 P1) Telephone Set J - Working Istructions (1945) Telephone Set F H.P. No 1 Mk II - Working Istructions (1944) This model was one we took onto firing point to butts : Telephone set UK PTC - 404 (1979) One of many mysteries in an army career - along with the hiding place where sink and bath plugs end up. Trying to think of a course I was on that the instructors did not hand a training pamphlet or precis to me without a sheet of amendments needing to be 'cut and stuck' into my new bedside reading material. Para 1 sub para a, line four (4) - delete 'do it that way' and insert 'do it this way'. Can I do it all again - please!
Good Morning Wills. A great find! Forgot about the Potentiometer Switch which I think altered the flow of current but can't remember its use. Anyway I think I kept it permanently on 'Neutral'. I think it had to do with neutralising interference on the line. It all happened so long ago . . . but fond memories. Regards, Joe
Thanks oggie hope others are enjoying this also. Wills thanks again for more documents, as a collector I always find the F. Mk 1 telephone a bit of a strange one, they say "portable", what were they thinking, lets make the largest phone we can and stick it in a box so heavy to give a man a hernia. Maybe your generation was just stronger..... Was this a good Telephone? Or it looked good at headquarters? Joe Good evening to you The Q and I detector above is 1915 it was the standard for Linemen In WW1 I am sure it lasted longer in use until it was replaced. The other unit is deceiving, it looks WW1 with all the Leather and some brass it is the Remote control unit for the Wireless Set No1 1938 dated. It did clean up really well, the whole unit is shinning. I have Signals forms from both was ABC some full pads, but as for sent or received messages they are really hard to find, you had a procedure to destroy them in a time frame? I only have one WW1 message form filled out and on the carbon paper of a WW2 field message book it has some messages that were sent, but they are not very interesting or significant. I have not seen the Envelopes for messages for WW2, anyone have an example I have only found WW1 items. I will add some more items and questions that I would really like to no the answer if possible Regards Jonathan
My own experience with field telephones was plugging one in on a range firing point to speak to the butts, range controller or safety sentries. I started on the A40- A41 and C42 radios. The A41 and I fell out with my boss, the KK (company commander) was making his way downhill with me following (we were a mechanized infantry battalion) and he decided on a lengthy advance to contact on foot! The hill was one of those where with full kit an A41 and an SLR I was hopping and digging my heels in - the KK one Major C stopped, I had my SLR (rifle) in my left hand and my right hand over my shoulder holding the spring on the ten foot whip antenna. In attempting to stop the weight of my kit kept the forward momentum - Instinctively I let go the antenna as I stopped my right hand extended to break what I was sure was going to be a headlong dive - the whip in a moment of indiscipline carried on -Whack! It hit the KK in the face - he was not happy and called me a few things! He calmed down later when he needed a Johnny Player weed to smoke - one of mine! Some years later we met up again he was commanding a UDR battalion, I asked if he needed a signaler - you can '**** off!' When we went into a hide in BAOR we would cam up and leave the driver with the AFV432 (he would keep the vehicle safe (get into his maggot -sleeping bag!) My vehicle had an A set and B Set with a J box - (coy/bn) We would dig in and a remote handset would be run out to my trench. I always got someone else to do it, the damned D10 cable had it in for me I only had to pick it up and it would stab my fingers. One memorable occasion one officer who is now a cabinet minister wandered over to my position - I asked - have you not been listening in? No, Well 9 has been calling for Sunray 32 to get to the O group. He cantered off into the woods as one of my Guardsmen said Sergeant look - he was holding up a Sterling SMG - it belongs to Funky (Dunky) IDS! He arrived at the COs O group like a bloody tourist sans shooting thing.
Wills. Thanks for putting up the pamphlets. It is good they still exist and now to have them on my computer, that's tremendous. I am contemplating [in my wildest dreams] of trying to and get my hands on a couple of DIII, two Fullerphones, a decent length of cable and then dig in the garden two slit trenches a decent distance apart and try and interest my great-grandchildren in sharing in a signals network. However, no night-exercises and the for day operation the weather must be right, and finally I have to be the S.O. P.S.: Forgot: will need a superimposing unit! Joe.
When we cleared out my fathers shed after he passed on we found a handset harness and a set of leather straps with spikes. My father was a survey officer with the government. We asked a friend of my fathers and he was pleased to take them. He explained, when he was in remote places he would put the straps on and climb a telegraph pole and using the handset link up ? Using it to ring back to his office. One of dads friends wired up phones around the house for us to use as kids - at first we had a black bakelite box with a winding handle which rang the phones - for some reason dad removed it! Pleased that the manuals are useful - will have another scan.
Wills. Thanks for kindly going to the trouble of putting up these manuals. They are very interesting and found myself dahditdah-ing. I am sure there will be others on the Forum who will find them of use. Joe.
Sir, in the words of The Poet: I will not wind a lang conclusion, With complimentary effusion; But, whilst your wishes and endeavours Are blest with Fortune's smiles and favours, I am, dear sir, with zeal most fervent, Your much indebted, humble servant. From the third Foot Guards to the Royal Regiment 1st of Foot. (1945) Graphic Survey of Radio and Radar Equipment Used by the Army Air Forces - Section 1 - Countermeasures Equipment WWII Radar & Comm Equipment
Hi Just a quick view of my small NZ signals jackets and BD collection. Starting far right WW1 Mounted Rifles sergeant, with signals qualification 1940 New Zealand signal corps SD 1941 KD new Zealand Signal corps KD as worn in Egypt 1942 dated battle dress Sergeant of new Zealand Signals corps with service stripes Hi Joe not sure if you saw my questions in my previous post.
Jonathan. Must confess I have never seen a WS1, but impressed when I saw the picture of its remote control unit. Can you enlighten me? I do remember a bit about Signal stationery we used, especially Army Form 2504 which was the Signal Register. All out and through traffic was registered, given a serial number, originator's number noted along with its date-time of origin (221230.) We entered the time the message was handed in or if a 'through' message when it was received for onwards transmission. There was also a couple of columns to note time when a message was handed in to the cipher office, which we didn't use as messages to be coded would go to the Intelligence Office then the coded message handed in to the Signals Office and we would note that time as 'in'. There was a column to note priority to be given to a message [see website p.44 for list of priority levels]; a column to tick when message cleared through the Signals Office. The Signals Register also had columns to record system of transmission used [DR, R/T, O [orderly], V, L/T, W/T, Phonogram, Pigeon] and to note the office it was addressed to. There was a space for remarks to show when a message was delayed and for how long. If the message was sent by Despatch Rider we noted number of the DR's docket [AF 2501] which listed all the messages he was carrying and noted the time of DR left. A NCO would be in charge of the Signals Office and would be responsible for determining how the message would be transmitted. There would be signallers manning telephones, switchboard, wireless terminal and also orderlies to take messages to lamp terminals, Brigade wireless terminal or deliver messages to Bn HQ offices. A Signal Office Diary would be kept to record events: 0745 W/T to Bde failed; 0910 line party left for A Coy; 1050 line to A Coy through; 1300 off duty K. Jones L/Cpl on duty R. Jones L/Cpl. Each wireless terminal would keep its own Wireless Log [see website p. 43] Jonathan you have a great array of tunics. It was my experience that an NCO passing a Signals Instructors Course at either Catterick or near-by Wetherby would wear crossed flags above the chevrons. I was delighted when Wills kindly put the Signals Pamphlets up on the Forum, particularly the one about the Fullerphone, as previously my knowledge was all based on 'word of mouth' and now I was able to read it all about it. To quote Wills lines and my own reaction to the mysterious potentiometer: "Potentiometer, its true | I am not sure what to do with you. | Yet even you add beauty to | My Fullerphone. Glad to try answer any questions you may have. Meantime, with warm regards. Joe.
