Ex-boy

That's interesting Richard. I'll have to have a longer Google and see what else is possible. The box was acquired in Woolwich when the MAGs closed down and the workshop on the Ha Ha Road site was abandoned, so it could have been used by Med & Dent, Electronics, Vehicles or Weapons staff. A lot of useful kit was binned, including boxes of radio valves, which would probably be worth a few bob now! Anyway, if anyone actually has a use for such stuff, no charge, I will even cover the postage, as it will be minimal, so any pith-takers? Steve.

Hello again Clive, another bit of a mystery. The quantity on the label is 1 (bundle), and the bundle consists of about a dozen sticks. As I said, the X4 is unclear and could be XA or X6. Are either one a possibility? Steve.

Hi all, I imagine the title may raise some eyebrows, but I have a box of Elder Pith bundles for which I would like to find a loving home. A quick Google tells me they are used by watchmakers, so a REME Instrument Tech would seem a likely user. As there doesn't appear to be a section for instruments specifically, I hope here is as good as anywhere to post. The box is labelled: Z1 X4 0535 although the X4 is unclear and could be incorrect; does anyone know? As it's too good a chance to miss, I have to say, if anyone wants to take the pith, please let me know. Steve.

I can see where you are coming from, and I'm glad you have the time and patience to do it for others, so enjoy. Best wishes, Steve.

Replied to PM. Apart from a few items already claimed, they are yours. Steve.

Wonderful.Thanks again Clive. I wasn't far wrong then, just a pity the box is empty! Best regards, Steve.

Clive, the box is steel and 3 X 5 5/8 inches X 1 3/4 deep. It only has 127-6737 1978 King Dick stamped on but as it has an internal divider, it seems to me likely to be for 1/2 inch drive sockets of either A/F or Metric types. If it is a pain to check, then please don't worry about it, as it's just one of many items and I dare say someone will be happy to take it and put it to use. Steve.

I am having a clear-out and have an assortment of arrow-marked hand tools. There are two biggish O/J spanners, and a steel box for socket drive accessories which are heavyish, but most of the items are fairly small and lightweight, for which postage will be minimal. I'm only asking for postage costs, but don't do electronic payments, so it will mean a cheque. I will put down part numbers/ NATO numbers as far as possible, so they can be identified. Herewith the list: Most gone already; this is all that's left 900-5591 Soldering iron (small) dated 1974 FA 17530 Box (empty) for Socket set midget 'A' FA 17340 Box (empty) believed to be supplementary set for 1/2 drive sockets 127-6737 Box (empty) believed to be for 1/2 drive A/F socket set If anyone is interested, just shout and it's yours for the price of the postage. Steve

Excellent service Clive, thank you! I'm fairly sure the second one is a supplementary box for 1/2 inch drive sockets, as it is that kind of size and layout, so I'll offer it up as that. Did you have any info on the NATO number? Sorry to be a pain. Steve.

Clive, at risk of being cheeky, could I ask if your VAOS lists the following numbers? These are (empty) boxes for 1/2 inch socket sets I believe (including a supplementary set). If they can be ID'd then I'll happily donate them to someone, if anyone wants them. FA 17530 and FA 17340. There is another box, also sadly empty, with a partial NATO number, 127-6737, which is up for grabs, so an ID there would also be beneficial. As you can see, I'm having a clear-out and can't let this stuff go in the skip. Regards, Steve.

Jim, Richard is correct, as ever, with the EMER reference, but that was the original REME system, dating from the 1940s (which my dad used during the war and I used in my service) and I suspect that any non-equipment ones have now been superseded. There are unlikely to be any equipments still in service using EMERs, but I stand to be corrected on that. Steve.

Thanks for that Clive, I have a few boxes, but most are smaller and wouldn't hold the set, so I believe they all go together and it seems they may have found a new home. Best regards, Steve.

It's yours if you PM an address. I'm afraid I'm a bit old-fashioned and don't have paypal or online banking, so any payment will need to be a cheque. I may have a few more bits and pieces, but will presumably need to advertise them elsewhere, as it would be off-topic here. Regards, Steve.

Hi all. I have a set of arrow-marked 1/2 inch drive Whitworth sockets, seven standard, from 1/4 to 9/16, plus two extra-deep (spark-plug) ones, of 7/16 and 9/16. They are in a box, but I'm not sure if the box is the correct one for them. It is stamped FA 17347. Can anyone tell me if the box is correct for those sockets, and if not, what number should it have and what set should go with the FA 17347? With bated breath, best regards, Steve Gray

I think you are right, and top right is ROSTOV. Steve.

It's taken me a few days to find them, but here are pics of my only remaining army issue cutlery, a 1988 knife, and the pouch which was issued to carry your 'diggers'. As you can see, the knife was too long to fit fully inside, although most forks and spoons did. I generally folded the flap over those and the knife blade stuck out at one side, but with the tape tied tight it was all secure. I suspect few people did any length of service with their original KFS, as they were very easy to lose. I must have had about ten different sets during my service. The original ones were the old-fashioned 1950s EPNS ones and only in about the 1970s did I have stainless steel. I hope this clears up all your questions. Regards, Steve.

No probs Tim, they will be in the post tomorrow. I tried to reply to your PM but I'm not good with the system, so came back to what I understand. No payment needed, as I'm just pleased that they will have a new life and do what they were intended for, and I've learned a bit more into the bargain. Regards, Steve.

Not being familiar with vintage lamps, I need to ask if the lamp glass is just a thin, curved piece or a solid lump with a flat base. I ask because sitting there on the newspaper, it looks just like two glasses I have in my workshop, the origins of which I have no idea. One is 3 inches diameter, the other 13 cm. and they are both solid, with a flat side. The smaller one has a few minor chips on the edge and the bigger one has a larger chip, also at the edge. If they are any use to you, they are yours for the asking. I will even post them for no charge, for all the enjoyment this thread (and others) have given me. Regards, Steve.

When I was at Chertsey in the mid-80s I saw a Landrover with a similar system fitted, which was being evaluated. I wasn't involved with it myself and finished my service shortly after, so I don't know what was the outcome and whether the system went into service, but there was at least one fitted to an army Landrover. With luck, some younger members will know more. Steve Gray

When I was in Bordon in 1982 to 1984 there were certainly two halftracks, both in the hangar. I seem to remember one was hard-top and the other soft-top, but don't quote me on that. I rarely had a camera during my service, so have few snaps, and the pictures on this site bring back a lot of memories. Thanks to all concerned. In 1982 I donated a halftrack TM of some description to the collection, which I had picked up in 1969. At that time I was with 11th Hussars in Cachy Barracks, Perham Down, and they were about to amalgamate and move to Tidworth, with their halftracks being exchanged for 434s. A lot of Tech Pubs went in the bin at that time and it makes me weep now I think about what I could have saved. Being a HQ Sqn B mech I only had one opportunity to drive a halftrack, and that only round the (very small) tankpark, but it was a great experience. The last time I saw a halftrack in action was circa 1971/72, when 10 Div Support Wksp FRT came to do an engine lift on a Centurion. The driver was an old mate from Arborfield (another ex-boy), and that's the last time I saw him. Where does the time go? I hope my ramblings may be of some interest. Regards, Steve Gray.

Don't quote me, but it looks very much like a Centurion front idler. Any dimensions available? Steve.

Hi again Robin, I've had a look and as suspected, apart from what I mentioned earlier, I have nothing at all from my two years with the 5th Skins. I have a copy of the 1979 regimental journal and even that has nothing useful, and being poor-quality black and white pictures anything there would have been of little use. I'm sorry I can't be of any help, and looking back at my army career I have very little to show, when I witnessed so much which would be of interest. But that's life, and no point crying over it. I just hope there are others on the site who may be more forthcoming. Good luck, Steve.

Hi Robin, I doubt if I have any photos of 1 tonners, or much else come to that, as I didn't own a camera (still don't!) and only have a few pictures from those days. I will have a look to see if there is anything that might be of use but the only one I know I have is of the personnel of the WO's and sergeant's mess taken in March 1979, at Imphal Barracks, Osnabruck, Germany. I seem to remember there was also one of the LAD personnel, but probably not any vehicles. The regiment had Chieftains then and in 1979 I had my one and only stint on exercise in Canada, at BATUS, naturally. There were a number of Rover 1 Tonnes, with each sabre squadron having possibly two, one of which was an ambulance, but it's a long time ago and a bit hazy. I'm also not sure whether any were REME, but HQ squadron REME may well have had one or two. I'll get back to you once I have looked through my sparse collection of snaps. Regards, Steve.

Can't see any other units, apart from vehicle depots and such but I was intrigued, as I joined 5th Skins (I was REME) about the same time as this vehicle, so it brought back some fond memories. Thanks for posting and good luck with the work. Steve.

Would it have been built in barracks or on a training area? Steve.