Couple of interesting web sites

[Woftam]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ction.html
The Moaris invented trench warfare, who'd have thought ?
http://www.nzmr.org/enfield.htm

[DuncaninFrance]

Very interesting mate. The photo's are excellent

[bradtx]

Woftam, Dutifully for the photograph, but wanely smiling family members always say the most in wartime departure photos. This is the first I've seen of Mrs. Broom's photographs and, perhaps because she's a woman photographer, there's a certain 'relaxed' look in her photos I've not really noticed is other photographs of the time. My first question to myself was "Would the soldier embracing his family done so with a male photographer?" I think not, but would strike a more upright and direct pose.

So much for a wandering mind. Thanks for sharing.

Brad

[joseyclosey]

Notice the mix of leather and webbing slings on the Guards rifles.



In this photo it looks like they are fencing with Martini's. Interesting pics Graham, thanks for the links.

Joe

[DuncaninFrance]

My Great Uncle, CSM SR Cookson(Lft Back Row ) as a member of the winning bayonet fighting team of D Coy, 7th Manchester Regt, Khartoum, Dec 1914.
Note the rifles

[Tom-May]

Josey,

In the 'fencing' photo, it appears that they are using the purpose built bayonet fencing rifles. These items (still occasionally seen for sale) are based on the woodwork of a Martini, with a suitable shaped block where the breech should be, but no representation of lever or trigger guard and with the barrel and bayonet replaced by a spring loaded plunger (with a flattened-pair shaped steel 'button' on the end).

The same pattern of training rifle is seen in photos from the 1880s to the Great War and beyond and were certainly still used as a training aid with cadet forces as late as the 1970s (knowing the MoD, there are probably still stocks of them in storage somewhere*).

Tom



*I remember a major in a TA unit of the, then, RCT, in the 1980s, who had access to a restored GS wagon of the Great War period . One evening in a 'mad moment'+, he indented for a set of harness for a horse team - Imagine his surprise when, a few weeks later a lorry drew up at his unit with a full suit of harness for a four horse team (both driven from the box and pillion driven) some dated from as early as 1917 - and his embarrassment when called on to explain his requesition.

+ His term

[Niner]

Duncan, glad to see your great uncle was issued a complete uniform. Looks like the privates weren't so lucky.

[DuncaninFrance]

Duncan, glad to see your great uncle was issued a complete uniform. Looks like the privates weren't so lucky.

What did you expect, he was CSM

[A square 10]

and the yanks are totein krags with new M1907 leather slings , very nice link , thank you