Radio Equipped Cavalry Horse

[PhilB]

This photo is entitled "Cavalry horse wearing a field radio (BT Archives cat ref: TCB 475/YK 9)" in a National Archives First World War telecommunications article. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/first-world-war/telecommunications-in-war/  It`s an unusual looking radio and something I`ve never seen mentioned before. Can anyone add anything?

[Chasemuseum]

This is the petrol driven generator of a 500W pack set. You are looking at a 2 cylinder horizontally opposed 2 3/4 hp, air cooled Douglas stationary engine and the fuel tank above it. On the other side of the pack saddle frame is the electric generator with a coaxial HV spark generator. To use the unit the pack saddle frame is removed from the horse and a drive shaft fitted between the motor and generator. Another pack saddle carried the two boxes of the transmitter/receiver, another steel pole sections for two 9m masts to support the aerial and a fourth for two fibre suitcases holding cables, wires and various accessories.

Cheers

Ross

 

Genset pack saddle. Note that there are several minor production variations, with latter models arranged for transport in lorries and unable to be used for horse-pack transport

 

 

 

 

[Chasemuseum]

This is a synchronised spark gap transmitter. The lower box of the wireless holds a transformer and early capacitors (Leydon Jars), with the upper box holding a crystal receiver and some of the transmitter tuning equipment. Of course this is a morse only wireless station. The 500W pack station was adopted in 1913 and with some minor upgrades remained in use through the whole of the war. It featured extensively in the more mobile campaigns away from the Western Front.

Cheers

 

The two boxes of the station configured as normally used. This photo is thought to be from the operators manual

 

The upper box open showing tuning equipment on the lefty and the receiver on the right.

 

 

The lower box open showing internals. In normal use, the panels of the box are closed, with the low voltage connection from the motor/generator plugged into the left side and the high voltage connection from the synchronised spark wheel of the generator plugged into the right side.

 

500W pack set station operating with AIF engineering personnel during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. Photo taken on the island of Lemnos, at Mudros Harbour. Photo is probably prior to the deployment of the AIF wireless troop to Cape Helles.  

 

The AIF wireless troop were the only field wireless deployed at Gallipoli, no British army wireless equipment was available. The 6 stations they possessed had been purchased by the Commonwealth in 1913 and delivered to Australia in the early months of 1914.

 

Royal Navy aircraft and shipping, was equipped with wireless during the Gallipoli campaign. Wireless was used extensively to correct naval gunnery fire against land targets, in support of army operations. 

 

[Steven Broomfield]

I'd be interested to see the view of a uniform expert - the bloke at the bitey end of the horse is certainly not wearing wartime uniform. Pre-war yeomanry?

[PhilB]

Thanks, Chase, for a most comprehensive reply!

[michaeldr]

9 hours ago, Chasemuseum said:

500W pack set station operating with AIF engineering personnel during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. Photo taken on the island of Lemnos, at Mudros Harbour. Photo is probably prior to the deployment of the AIF wireless troop to Cape Helles.

 

From The Mitchel Report, p.192

Extracts relating to co-operation between Navy and Army.

To remedy the deficiency of wireless sections, four pack W/T detachments were extemporised for G.H.Q. by withdrawing four Marconi pack W/T sets, and personnel to work them, from the Australian and New Zealand Light Horse Brigade Signal Troops, already in Egypt. These detachments were sent early in April to Mudros to practise with the Royal Navy. Part of their old pattern apparatus was exchanged later on for two new pack W/T sets found among the stores brought out by the Royal Naval Division.

 

Thanks for pointing this out;

an aspect of the Gallipoli campaign which I had not come across before

 

Michael

 

edit to add: the four pack W/T detachments were split-up as follows

one each to 'V' and 'W' Beaches [W 2 & W 3] and two to Anzac [W 5 & W 6]

(W 1 & W 4 were the RN Base Stations at respectively 'W' Beach and Anzac)

Edited 16 February , 2019 by michaeldr

[PhilB]

7 hours ago, Steven Broomfield said:

I'd be interested to see the view of a uniform expert - the bloke at the bitey end of the horse is certainly not wearing wartime uniform. Pre-war yeomanry?

He looks to have a grenade type capbadge.

Edit :- On second look, it doesn`t!

Edited 16 February , 2019 by PhilB

[Ron Clifton]

Australian Engineers Signal Service?

 

Ron

[Chasemuseum]

The uniform does not appear to be pre-war Australian Engineers, although I agree it appears to be a pre-war tunic pattern

First - comparison of cap badges

 

 

Secondly, the tunic, none of the photos I have show cord knots on the sleeves of Engineers tunics

Cheers

Ross

[Steven Broomfield]

He also looks to have a Norfolk-style jacket and coloured collar.