Hi Joe Hope you had a great St Andrews day. Thanks for the detailed information about your kit, and what you were wearing, good information to have for reference. So the idea was to not stand out to German snipers, to blend in with your troops by wearing the same kit? Or it was just more practical? You mention you carried.. "A German self-loading rifle" was this the Walther G43 with out a scope a scope or a marksman rifle with scope? with semi auto also. A friend of mine has one a very nice rifle. I have always thought the map case with its hard board backing and thin strap form the examples I own must have flapped about on the move. Is this the Bren vest you referred to with the wooden toggles Afghanistan looks like a real night nightmare from the Documentaries that I have seen ,with IEDS and tactics. My cousin who is in the Signals came back safely from his tour, it was good to hear. Thanks Wills for the Blanco links do you no the code of the Blanco under K103. I have some 37 pattern in this shade with British service numbers to it.
MY experience of Blanco was as an Army Cadet - as a Guardsman I came across it again, we used a commercial whitening product on our buff belts,slings and bayonet frogs - a nightmare in the rain! Many would say that they could smell the Guards depot a mile off, whitening,Kiwi boot polish, metal polish (Bluebell)and spray starch. To stop the build up of whitening we would stiff brush with water until we got back to buff leather and started again. -There was a misguided experiment using white plastic, it looked tacky and rubbed the nap off the tunic. The Blanco we used as Cadets was KG103 for our unit- the one you ask about looks to me to be KG97 - My brother who was Air Training Corp used a blue 'renovator' which could be brush polished. If you have brass fittings or badges with a build up of metal polish do not scrape, we would use a non abrasive (ie firm bristle nail brush) and using a washing detergent brush out the debris. Dry after cleaning. My daughters still chuckle when they see my shoes, I still bull my shoes and George boots, to the top lacehole, when asked why - I try and explain, we all have ways of clearing a cluttered mind, a boiled silvo cloth (soft) three fingers a tin of Kiwi with a bowl of water and the world passes me by until a handsome vision appears! Blanco No. 97 Khaki Green (Medium) | Blanco and Bull Guards still do - not sure about the Monkeys'
Well done, Jonathan! That is the style of vest we wore. Do you have one in your collection? Wills: The only time I needed white blanco was after the War when in the TA and had to whiten the spats I wore with dress uniform. The hairy sporran worn with the Hunting Stewart tartan which had a magnificent silver top required the horse hair to be freshened up from time to time and would use my wife's shampoo and hairdryer (that was in the early 1950s when men didn't use these girlish aids!) Joe.
Joe: The dress code of the 'Magnificent Seven'. (7 battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland) The Royal Regiments of Scotland Dress Regulations O why the deuce should I repine, And be an ill foreboder? I'm twenty-three, and five feet nine, I'll go and be a sodger! I gat some gear wi' mickle care, I held it weel thegither; But now it's gane, and something mair- I'll go and be a sodger! Robert Burns
Wills: 1A Ceremonial Dress hasn't changed! The only slight adjustment would be that my sgian dubh would be worn 5 studs showing above the stocking; it was a gift from an old Dandy Ninth officer who had won it as 'Best Shot 1901'! I was also gifted with a Claymore which was my pride and joy as a TA officer who ultimately became Second-in-Command. I was pleased to add to its history by holding it in Salute to The Queen on her first visit to Scotland after her Coronation in 1953, the Honours of Scotland [The Crown, Orb and Sceptre] being carried before her in procession from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood. I was commanding a company of the Dandy Ninth lining the route that glorious day and that afternoon attended a Garden party at the Palace. The GoC being a batchelor put up his invitation to be ballotted amongst all the married officers in his command and I was the lucky one. Joe.
Jonathan: As best as I can remember it was 7.92mm but certainly not equipped with telescopic sight. I had taken it off a P.o.W. and carried right up to the time I was wounded at Heinsberg on 25 January 1945. One of the first actions on being wounded was to throw it away! Joe.
Hi Joe They came without the scope, as long as it served it purpose. Not something you would take home with you. Here is a short Video of the them on the other side, did the army have targets like this but in German Silhouettes? Fusil Walther G43/ K43 cal 7.92mm - YouTube
hi Joe Can you remember if this is the correct way the cells should be set in A Dmk 111? From The limited information I have i set them up. Here is some of my early signals equipment, it may be of interest The first is a MK1 Baseboard consisting of Key, Military pattern Sounder and Galvanometer of the single current type, 1916 The second is two baseboards 1915-1916 dated Transmitter Vibrating Mark IV and Vibrator Telegraph Mk1, it was used with C Mk 11 or 111 handsets. Galvanometer single and Duplex working 1915 Military Telegraph switch 1915 Military Rheostat MK11 for long distant work 1915. Volt-ammeter for accurate Battery checks ,1912 dated Resistance Box Mk IV 1915
