Variation Begbie Lamp

[Chasemuseum]

I came across the attached photo, its probably in the period 1910-1914, showing a troop of CMF (Territorial) soldiers in Australia - They all have the pre=-war tunic together with WE1908 belts.

 

I have not seen this variation of signal lamp previously and would appreciate any information on this model. Although it appears to have similarities to the Begbie type oil lamps, they appear to have no chimney so are more likely an early variation of electric signal lamp.

 

The heliograph appears to be the 5-inch Mk II, it is clearer in the original photo showing the extension arm of the type used with Mk I, II & III. The wingnut on the duplex mirror appears too small for a Mk III.  (Mk II  LoC §4941  19 Oct 1885 (date of order) , Mk III  §11197  31 Dec 1901 ). It is not the Mk V §13195  15 Jan 1906, the common model produced through WW1 and WW2.

Cheers

Ross

 

 

 

 

[4thVBGH]

Lovely pic, the lamp is interesting and doesn't appear to have a shutter other to open and close the front.

 

Any idea of unit? I know Queensland were using a local pattern Heliograph in addition to the Mance and Begbie pre WW1 though this appears to be NSW to my poor eyesight.

 

Robert

[Chasemuseum]

Suspecting that the lamp is electric, the example on the left of the photo the soldier appears to be holding a rubber bulb, which I suspect may be a weather proof switch.

 

This is from a group of photos. One of the photos has a studio credit "Laker & Co, 49 Goulburn St, Sydney." I currently do not have access to my reference book on early Australian photo studios which dates their operations at specific locations. 

 

The badge appears to be the (NSW) St Georges English Rifle Regiment design of 1900 to 1912, variant with the badge surrounded by a NSW wreath of waratah surmounted by the kings crown,  See Cossum "Australian Army Badges Pt 2 1900-1930" page 10 badge 13 - usually seen as a helmet plate. There does not appear to be anything in Grebert "Military Badges of the Australian Colonies 1800-1903" which could apply.

 

From the photos - including P08 web belts and the sirhind entrenching tool, the photos appear to date between 1909 and early WW1.

Cheers

Ross

 

Better detail of the badges, unfortunately still rather blurry.

 

Note Sirhind tool near the rations on the upturned wash tub.  The two lamps are the standard Signal Lamp B (begbie) but are shown without the chimneys extended. The heliograph appears to be a Mk IV or Mk V as it has a solid extension arm for the target/duplex mirror. One of the cadets has the numerals on the front of his hat for the 33rd Battalion. The lower left of the photo has " 33^rd INFANTRY SIGNALLERS PROSPECT " written on the lower left corner but this is quite difficult to read.  Prospect is an area of Western Sydney, west of Parramatta and at this time was open grazing lands suitable for military training.