Regulations for Army Ordnance Services

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Couldn't resist this one last Sunday at Farnham militaria, whilst everyone was looking at daggers, bayonets, guns, medals & Nazi memorabilia I actually found something interesting for me, Regulations for Army Ordnance Services Volume 3, Pamphlet No.37 Instructions for the Operation of a Returned Stores Depot in the Field. 26/Regulations/2476 dated 1954. Complete with maps & diagrams of the layout of repair trailers & generators. All with considerable detail eg trailer Type No.1 Clothing Repair Right Hand containing:

 

9 Singer 31K15 sewing machines, treadle driven, bench mounted

1 Singer 69-5 button, sewing machine, motor driven

 

Now where can I get a Singer 69-5? Seeing as I have to do the buttons round here :cry:

 

Isn't the spell checker cute, thinks it should have been Arnhem not Farnham!

[Snapper]

I got sent by CMV to do a feature on some guys who were making repro canvas in Essex. For whatever reason it did not run, but they had ex WD sewing machines for the specific purpose of doing authentic British pattern button holes etc. Very interesting. ..they were really skilled.

 

MB

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I got sent by CMV to do a feature on some guys who were making repro canvas in Essex. For whatever reason it did not run, but they had ex WD sewing machines for the specific purpose of doing authentic British pattern button holes etc. Very interesting. ..they were really skilled. MB

 

That was a shame but I suppose tanks & guns sell more magazines.

 

Those sewing machines were in the Trailer Type No.1 Clothing Repair parked alongside were:

 

Trailer Type No.2 & 3 Clothing Repair with varying sewing, button sewing & darning machines.

 

Trailer Type No.4 & 5 Anti-gas Clothing Repair

 

Trailer Type No.6 Respirator Repair

 

Trailer Type No.7 Metalwork Repair

 

Trailer Type No.8 Woodwork Repair

 

Trailer Type No.9 & 10 Boot Repair

 

Four 1-Ton Generator Trailers to supply the above.

 

I have a Catalogue of Army Ordnance Stores Section W11 Sewing Machines & Boot Repair Machinery. It lists 5 household sewing machines, 14 general purpose industrial sewing machines plus 7 types of specialist industrial sewing machines. Now wouldn't it be nice to have a trailer at a show with all the kit installed? Not as exciting as MBTs & guns of course but soldiers with holes in their socks, boots that have split and with respirators that need repairing aren't going to be an effective army.

 

 

[Snapper]

What a brilliant re-enactment this would make with the vehicles and workshops - but it must be a nightmare to recreate. If I get the six numbers up this would be my idea of heaven - a repair shop or even a bath or kitchen unit - something REAL. Have you seen a chap named Ivan who has a Citroen lorry kitted out as a German army police post with dozens of rubber stamps and forms and even an Enigma machine. Top quality. I remember some people had a REME workshop at Beltring a few years back with jeeps under canvas. This is the area where the hobby should expand in addition to all the sexy kit and guns. By chance I met up with a chap who does AFPU Airborne re-enactments last night and he was telling me about his new Flying Flea bike - there seem to be a growing number of combat snappers about with beautiful cameras etc. All good stuff. The Red Ball 514th guys with all the jerry cans and stuff are a prime example of how interesting the hobby can be without the need for loads of guns...more please.

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Yes you are leaning on an open door here! Supply chain & admin so crucial to the success of any campaign. Although I only make a cursory walk around re-enactments at Beltring, I was very impressed with a German field admin post with forms, typewriters, rubber stamps, telephones etc. Although my vehicular intesests are post war, when it comes to documents, supply chain, administration in the field etc these era limitations fade away & it all becomes deeply fascinating.

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Here is one of the trailers: