Hey guys,
I know I'm a pain for the questions thing, but I've searched for a while now and can't find any decent descriptions/pics.
I'm trying to portray a Royal signals member (no period preference) who's been attached to a frontline unit, what I need help with is what Insignia he would wear (particularly on the GS beret thing, if at all) and if there are any pieces of 37 webbing particular to them (anything with lots of carrying capacity would be grand, can never have too much capacity 
)
Here's what I have/plan on getting:
GS beret
BD from shootnscoot, jacket and trousers
Required insignia (any pics or examples of how they're laid out would be grand!)
Gaiters
DMS boots
I currently have the following pieces of 37 webbing:
2x Ammo pouches Mk2 (Both with wartime fastening)
3x Ammo pouches Mk3 (Only one with wartime fastening)
Belt
2x Straps
RAF water bottle with a weird cradle (has a strap so that it's carried like a haversack 
Post war?)
44 pattern Bayonet frog (will this stick out after I blanco the rest of it?)
4x Utility straps
Small pack with post war fastenings (I know I need L-straps)
Any help will be great guys!
Cheers!
Ok for royal signals you will want the following (this is an accurate - not a counts as list, feel free to substitute the stuff you cant ge thold off or are not fussed about.)
From the top.
Uniform.
MKII or III steel helmet *or* cap GS (these are not cheap as repros, and not the same as modern berets at all)
Pattern 37 or 40 BD blouse and trousers (these dont have to match.
Collarless ORs shirt or vest/undershirt (sabre have these undershirts for few quid, they are greek but look the same)
Ammunition boots wiht hobnails.
Webbing
Belt, cross braces, 2x utility pouch, bayonet frog if carrying a rifle, lightweight respirator case, water bottle. Small pack on hip most likely so you can shoulder a WS48 set.
Anklets
Insignia:
On GS cap Royal Signals capbadge
Shoulder title is 'Royal Corps of Signals' (white on blue) after sep 44 this changes to 'Royal Signals'
underneath this goes the formation badge depending on which division you want to be (i would suggest the polar bear '49th west riding' if you want to fit in with PBI
under this goes your 'arm of service' strip - for signals this is white and blue
then any rank, again for PBI dont put any on.
then on your lower left sleeve you would wear your qualified signaler qualification (two crossed flags) *or the badge for wireless operator in an infantry formation which is a different looking badge worn on the upper right sleeve above the rank.
that help mate?>
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
However... if you want to do signals as a south staffrod with us then the only thing you need to do is put a signals cap badge on a maroon beret and wear a smock - saves you a fortune in insignia.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
That's a gret help mate!, I'll probably get all of it and the smock so I can be attached to either the paras or Hallamshires. Just out of interest, where is PBI mainly recruiting from? As in what part of the UK?
Cheers!
All across the UK we have members from Yorkshire to Devon to Kent.
Basically its a case of whenever possible we turn up as the same unit to WWII airsoft events.
This is either:
2 commando
2 South Staffs
or
Hallamshire Battalion
We prefer most folk to do a rifleman from one or ore of these regiments but as long as its not silly and kept to a minimum a few 'supporting corp' troops are welcome.
(for example balderick is RAMC attached, woodlander should he wish to play with us is welcome to be our glider pilot (as Warren was at Arnhem)
It doenst look wrong ot have the odd int corp pte or signaller in our ranks, we just dont want anyone badging up as other infantry battalions really.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
heh... also if you're dressed as a signaller don't be surprised if you get given signalling jobs to do rather than assaulting the enemy... 
Eh, it's a price I'm willing to pay for representing my unit as it was back then 
Cheers for the information Gadge! Once I get all this stuff together I should get around to joining you guys.
Cheers!
edit: And besides, if I get the Airborne act together all I need to do is swap the cap badge Instant frontline soldier.
editedit: Incidentally, do you mount the insignia directly onto the BD? Or is it put on another strip and then mounted on?
It varies... Hallamshires had it on a serge patch because that's what each soldier was issued. (see my kit pics)
Others generally just put on individually.
Cheers Yith! I'll just mount it on.
Just put each item about 1/2" apart, with the shoulder title right at the top.
When it comes to NCO rank there are special spacings that should be used... but you don't need to worry about that.
Hmm... the position of the signaller's qualification is something I'm not sure about though, I've never had to worry about qualifications. I can look it up if you want.
Oh... BTW... get your insignia from monty's locker, much nicer stuff than anyone elses... 
If he doesn't have stuff in his catalogue, email him with your requirements.
Heres my south staffords officers insignia. Note its embroidered rather than the usual printed type but you ca see how it goes.
REGIMENT
FORMATION
ARM OF SERVICE
TRADE SKILL
You can get away with no insignia as the 1943 'invasion regulations' ordered all insignia to be taken off kit prior to the invasion of France.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
NCO blouse
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
What's the link for Monty's locker Yith?
Gadge: Thanks for the pictures! That's a great help, but do I put the Royal signals title in place of the regiment?
Cheers mate!
What's the link for Monty's locker Yith?
Gadge: Thanks for the pictures! That's a great help, but do I put the Royal signals title in place of the regiment?
Yes.
for attached to hallamshires you'd have:
Royal (corp of) Signals - Regiment
Polar Bear - Division
Blue and White bar - Arm of service
For 1st Airborne
Royal (corp of) Signals - Regiment
Bellaphron on Pegasus - Divison
Airboren tab - Arm of service
However we always wear smocks for south staffs so if you're going to badge up a BD blouse the first will be more useful
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Alright, Cheers Gadge!
The actual unit you might want to research is '49th divisional signals'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_49th_(West_Riding)_Infantry_Division
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
I can't find anything on the internet about that unit, could you suggest any books I could find/ask my library to order that might have information on them?
for 49 div in normandy see this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polar-Bears-Nor ... 073&sr=8-1
I have the earlier hardback edition... its a good one.
This search brought up a few books... I don't know them though
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/2 ... ls&x=0&y=0
