peterhogg Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 This is a new question but i think it does fall under the subject of obscure questions. I have read that in locations such as the Glory Hole opposing lines may have been separated by a matter of a few feet or a couple of metres or less. I understand also that during a battle forces may be right around the corner from one another in the trench. In such circumstances but a counter-attack or a retreat would settle things but apparently not always My question is, in the case of the Glory Hole as an example where the close nature of the opposing lines may stay that way for days, weeks or months, how was that sort of situation addressed in practical terms? Other than shooting or bombing one another on a daily basis, would the two bits of close territory not be occupied? How would such a status quo last without one or the other side takiing the opposing position? Would there be an unoffciial live and let live situation? ( I know opposing lines could be quit close but I am inquiring of those cases where two enemies could almost literally touch one another) This could be a rather dumb question so please be kind or kindish! cheers, peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Kastner Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 I was going to ask if the Victoria Cross is actually cast from the bronze of two Russian cannon. I read a brief snip on this a while back. But a Google of Wiki provided an answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Cross. Is it correct ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Kastner Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 Puttees ? That is a good question. I've often wondered what the intented purpose. I've read several Unit Histories and personal diaries (US) and they seem to reference them being used for "support of the lower leg during long marches". I contend that the AEF used puttees because the Brits used them. But like I've read above...that may all be rubbish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 Steven Short puttees..............and did you use an elastic band in the trouser leg and over the puttees to make the whole thing smarter ? Bob Oh yes. No bike chain though - definitely a no-no! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 Would I be right in thinking that a man taken from a Bn and put into the TMB, is more than likely to have been a big strong lad as mortars/base plates etc, tend to be extremely heavy? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 The VC is still made from lumps of Russian cannon. Puttees are used to keep trouser legs out of the mud and stop them catching on any projecting objects. Undergrowth or barbed wire for instance. They saved trouble and money. Much cheaper and easier to replace a pair of puttees than a pair of trousers. Skipman, you are a commander in the field. You are instructed to supply ten men for another unit. This is not a loan and will not be of direct and immediate help to you. You can supply ten big strong strapping lads or the ten daft, shortsighted, troublemakers who generally are in the way or in the guardroom. Who do you send? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 Thanks for answering all the questions Tom. Appreciate that and would never have thought of it that way. It of course makes complete sense. Are you ex forces? It must be a bit of an advantage to know the ways of the Army. Don't be surprised if I come up with some more questions. Excellent. Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 What became of Roger Casements brother, he that served in East Africa? And let us not let Kitchener's brother off the hook! What happened to him after East Africa? Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 The VC is still made from lumps of Russian cannon. The cannon are actually Chinese (but were captured from the Russians) and the only part used was the cascabel knob (the ball thingy at the back) Puttees are used to keep trouser legs out of the mud and stop them catching on any projecting objects. Undergrowth or barbed wire for instance. They saved trouble and money. Much cheaper and easier to replace a pair of puttees than a pair of trousers. Originally intended to protect the lower leg from snake-bites when in India (and then in Africa). dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 5 May , 2009 Share Posted 5 May , 2009 Wouldn't give much protection from an Indian Cobra rearing up. You'd need a puttee on your penis! From my accutely personal knowledge of French vipers; are there any recorded instances of Tommies being bitten by such reptiles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinhat47 Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Here's one. I've heard of Railway Construction companies and Signal companies in the Royal Engineers. But what in the world were the Light Railway Signal companies? There apparently were at least five of them and I can find precious little on any formal source recognizing their existence! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Starlight Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Here's one. I've heard of Railway Construction companies and Signal companies in the Royal Engineers. But what in the world were the Light Railway Signal companies? There apparently were at least five of them and I can find precious little on any formal source recognizing their existence! Probably operated the signals on the Light Railways! Railway signalling was and is a still is a highly specialised form of electrical trade work (if you are just looking after the signals (stop/go/track clear/obstructed type of thing) much of which was also automated (remote) even in those days. They could also become involved in the laying of line required to allow co-ordination of sections of track. There probably were similar companies used in the "Heavy" or mainline tracks but, as these were still mainly under the control of French rail authorities until sections were handed over the British in late 1917 (?), they would have been fewer in number.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john jerome mcmanus Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 G'day all. I have posted in the past, and Raich has recently asked questions about HMAT Medic (A7). Can anyone give me firm affirmation of her departure date from Sydney, Australia when she conveyed, among others, the 12th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion AIF. Was it 30/12/15 or 7/1/16? Thanks in advance for any response Regards Pop (Sean McManus) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Wouldn't give much protection from an Indian Cobra rearing up. You'd need a puttee on your penis! From my accutely personal knowledge of French vipers; are there any recorded instances of Tommies being bitten by such reptiles? So...Geraint..you are admitting to being bitten in the naughty bits by a snake! Explains a lot................... Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 There are lots of adders here, in the hills and on moorland. It is very difficult to even see one far less get close enough to be bitten. They are very sensitive to noise. I would say that normally, any adders or vipers seen in France would be by troops out on a stroll well behind the lines. They would then need to be pursued and handled. At least as rare to be bitten as it is now. At night, they generally hide and go into a torpor. If a man was creeping about in long grass in NML on a hot sunny day, he might put his hand on one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Pop Going to the AWM archives and calling up 30-12-15 for Medic and 12th reinforcements you get lots of names and if you go to 7-1-16 virtually nil so I would think that Medic left Sydney on 30 Dec 1915. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Puttees are used to keep trouser legs out of the mud and stop them catching on any projecting objects. Undergrowth or barbed wire for instance. They saved trouble and money. Much cheaper and easier to replace a pair of puttees than a pair of trousers. Puttees were originally intended to provide support to the leg muscles on route marches. They were derived from Indian civilian leg wear intended for the same purpose - ie leg muscle support. Any saving in tailoring/dry cleaning was merely a by product Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Puttees were originally intended to provide support to the leg muscles on route marches. .............. But by the Great War, were worn as part of the uniform, including being worn by cavalry and senior officers who walked as far as the staff car. No saving in cost was ' merely' for QM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 It's an interesting thread this one Mike. Good idea. The light railways were temporary structures erected by pioneers to carry ammo, water, rations and men. The pioneer companies remained with them, operated them and repaired shell fire damage. Various branches of the railway made it necessary for signallers and points operators to be on post. Another question. Why did cavalry lances have small pennants attached to the lance head socket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 I have a young, local officer, a Jones-Bateman, who died during the last few days of war Not Frank? RWF? If so, we must talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 I didn't read post 21 did I? Just saw the name and went straight to a post. Ignore me. I'll go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Yes Andrew. Frank, and his brother Reginald. Both killed, both RWF, and both on the Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd memorial. Minor gentry of Eyarth Estate, and closely related to the Heatons of Trefnant. Any interest or connections? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james-aitch Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 hi all my Grt uncle Pte Aitchison was in the 1/4 KOSB, a complete novice question but what does 1/4 mean I know he was in 'E' Company and i know the btn was Territorial Btn. Any ideas?? Thanks James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Hi James. The 1/4 were the original battalion. 2/4 were the new men bought into the battalion during the war, and sent off as a new battalion in due course; 3/4 etc etc. Only applied to territorial battalions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 6 May , 2009 Share Posted 6 May , 2009 Geraint - now I am confused. Frank, good mate of Robert Graves? Links with Pentre Mawr in Abergele? And Eyarth. Brother of Llewelyn killed in 1916? You say Reginald? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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