SRTTE

[woa2]

I went to a Car Boot sale today and had a lucky find. I got some Signals manuals (just general subjects about lines) but also some paperwork for a linesman in WW2. Question I have is what does "S.R.T.T.E. Ministry of Supply", mean? This was on his release document as to his regiment in the Royal Signals. The man also seems to have served at an experimental place at Warnham in 1941 dealing with field telephone lines, as there is a group photo.

Anyone got any ideas?

[fv1609]

I think SRTTE stands for Signals Research Tropical Testing Establisment.

 

The Ministry of Supply operated TTE in Nigeria.

[woa2]

You could be right. The notes keep mentioning PVC cable for field telephones. The man left the Army in early 1946 and joined the Fire Service in July 1946.

[fv1609]

I imagine the value of TTE lay not just in testing tolerances to heat & humidity but the resistance to insect activity. The worst offenders were termites who would eat virtually anything & I expect PVC insulation might have been quite a delicacy!