So as Blandford is now known as the home of the Royal Signals we thought it only right that we should go and pay them a visit and have a look around the museum.
It cost £7.50 per adult to get in, and traced the history of the Royal Signals from the beginning to almost present day. The present day bit being a bit difficult as its all classified gear/kit that is used and obviously for security reasons not on display to the general public.
But plenty of kit that we had both used, some of which I took pictures of and added below. Quite strange really as if we had taken photographs of the kit back when we were using it, we would of been locked up and the key thrown away! I even remember the acid containers that if we were to fall into enemy hands then the kit had to be destroyed with the use of a sledge hammer and acid!
This was all during the Cold War, with the frightening prospect that if the balloon did go up due to the nature of our jobs, we had a survival time of 12 minutes! Luxury, when you think that when we both worked at Rhinedahlen our survival time was just 4 minutes!
The museum was laid out well, one of the areas that brought a lump to my throat was an area which displayed medals of former Royal Signals members. It made me feel really proud to of done my bit.
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| Ferret Scout Car |
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| Series 2 LWB Landrover "Pink Panther" SAS |
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| Volvo Cat - Artic Warefare |
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| T100's Teleprinters - I learnt to type on one of these! |
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| Ptarmigan SAS/MC This is the communications equipment I used either fitted into the back of a lorry or in a 432 armoured vehicle - Not a great deal of room! |
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| Ptarmigan SAS/MC a bit of a squeeze! |
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| Ptarmigan SAS/MC I spent many happy an hour in the back of one of these whilst out in Germany! |
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| Cryptographic Equipment, which I was very surprised to see on display! Top right hand corner are the crypto boxes which had to be changed every 24 hrs by moving the wire plugs around to a different configuration! We stopped for a cup of tea in the NAAFI and it was still as rough as ever! Somethings thankfully never change! We both enjoyed the museum and it also gave "M" and Marks family more of an insight into what we used to do. Where ever the Army is you can put money on that the Royal Signals will be there, in every theatre of operation, no matter where, first in - last out. Hence being once called the Armys most versatile soldier! We watched a video as we came into the museum, one of the last things they said was that the Royal Signals is a massive family, one that you will never leave. This goes for all armed forces, once your in your in! Im glad Im part of that family. Till later................. |
I feel I must disagree with you, Royal Engineers are first in last out. Keep up the blog a good read as always. REgards an ex Sapper
ReplyDeleteThe Army is a family and one I miss every day! You don't get friends the same anywhere else in life.
ReplyDeleteMight see you tomorrow at the show!
Andi
Hi Paul as soon as I wrote that "First in last out" I knew someone would question it! Us scaley backs are always right though!
ReplyDeleteHi Andi, Ill keep my eyes peeled!