General Service Whistle.

[findabetterole]

Hello Chums,

Many of us.. including myself... have always been under the impression that the General Service Whistle was issued to Sgts and above. Well, after browsing through a few of my HMSO period publications this afternoon, I found out a detail that really surprised me. On page: 22, of: Field Service Manual, 1914 - INFANTRY BATTALION (Expeditionary Force) - HMSO... at the bottom of the page from section 'D' = Additional articles carried by certain Dismounted Men.. it reads: Whistles, Infantry [N.C.O's, not below the rank of corporal].

Now, there's an Owe-te-do!

Seph

[PhilB]

I seem to remember a previous thread in which several examples were given of private soldiers having whistles though it wasn`t clear whether or not they were official issue. What do the figures 85, 0 & 11/2 signify on the list?

I think the whistle may have had a significance in the WW1 army that was later lost. I was in REME, not infantry, and I only ever heard one used by a PTI. Do the infantry still have much use for them?

[findabetterole]

QUOTE (Phil_B @ Dec 1 2009, 02:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the whistle may have had a significance in the WW1 army that was later lost. I was in REME, not infantry, and I only ever heard one used by a PTI. Do the infantry still have much use for them?

In answer....

'85' = no. per battalion.

'0' - lbs. [approximate weight of each]

'1.1/2' = oz's [approximate weight of each]

"Do the infantry still have much use for them?"

Haven't a clue.... but the RM, RN PTI's certainly make good use ef them! .. on yer spots, GO!... Peeeeep!, Running on the spot, GO!... Peeeeep!, Exercise, with me, begin... peeeeep!

Seph

[PhilB]

85 per battalion? Sounds like all senior NCOs and above (inc officers) and some corporals. Not quite enough for all cpls?

[findabetterole]

I would guess that it was one Cpl per troop, and that he was the senior in line for promotion.

Seph