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Author Topic: British spine protection  (Read 3003 times)

Offline princeman

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British spine protection
« on: November 20, 2019, 04:07:03 PM »
In the book 'THE STORY OF THE MALAKAND FIELD FORCE' by Sir Winston Churchill, he mentions in one sentence that the British uniform now provided spine protection for the troops. Does anyone know what this was?
Thanks in advance.
Greg
A man aughta do what he thinks is best.

Offline Griefbringer

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2019, 04:29:57 PM »
I have seen a picture of one, presumably from the 1930's. It was a piece of clothing, red on one side, placed against the back and somehow believed to protect the gentle British physique from the tropical sun - though of no actual practical value.

I also found this article which seems to shed further light on topic:

http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2012/british-army-spine-pads

Offline Cubs

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2019, 04:42:55 PM »
Cos nothing keeps you cool like another layer of quilting!
'Sir John ejaculated explosively, sitting up in his chair.' ... 'The Black Gang'.

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Offline FierceKitty

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2019, 05:21:37 PM »
I did miles of reading about it a few years ago; found next to nothing beyond what has already been said.
The laws of probability do not apply to my dice in wargames or to my finesses in bridge.

Offline Plynkes

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2019, 06:53:25 PM »
I've little more to add, really, I think Griefbringer's link covers it nicely. I do have this image of a book I own a copy of, though, which has a picture of one on the front cover:





I wouldn't buy this book hoping to find out more about them, though. It actually has a lot less information than the link Griefbringer provided.


With Cat-Like Tread
Upon our prey we steal...

Offline princeman

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2019, 06:59:51 PM »
Thank you so much gentlemen! Knew I could count on this group to supply the answer. Sir Winston did not provide any clue as to what this was or what it was supposed to do. Thanks again,
Greg

Offline Griefbringer

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2019, 08:37:42 AM »
Sir Winston did not provide any clue as to what this was or what it was supposed to do.

Perhaps at the time the concept of spine pad was considered to be common knowledge for an educated gentleman, and thus did not require further explanation?

Offline Atheling

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2019, 08:38:46 AM »
Sun protection, right?

(Note, I don't know!)

Offline Mason

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2019, 10:14:10 AM »
The title made me think that there may also have been an 'upper lip stiffener' issued at some point too....


Offline Atheling

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2019, 10:22:28 AM »
The title made me think that there may also have been an 'upper lip stiffener' issued at some point too....

 lol


Offline SteveBurt

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2019, 11:53:49 AM »
The title made me think that there may also have been an 'upper lip stiffener' issued at some point too....
If you put enough wax on your impressive moustache that does the job very well.

Offline princeman

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2019, 11:32:39 PM »
Good job men. Yes protection from heat and sun stroke was the goal. Not sure it had any effect though.

Offline carlos marighela

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2019, 12:43:53 AM »
Reminds one of a cruel but remarkably apt jibe delivered in parliament by one of our former Prime Ministers to his opposite number. "He's just a shiver looking for a spine to crawl up."

@ Plynkes. Handy tome that Mike Chapell book, I have that one too.
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Ficou marcado na história
E no Rio não tem outro igual
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E agora seu povo
Pede o mundo de novo

Offline Griefbringer

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2019, 10:13:11 AM »
The title made me think that there may also have been an 'upper lip stiffener' issued at some point too....

Not everything would be provided by the crown, and many items would be left to up to private purchase. I would assume that monocles, moustache wax and upper lip stiffener all belong to the later category.

Offline Atheling

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Re: British spine protection
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2019, 12:19:39 PM »
Not everything would be provided by the crown, and many items would be left to up to private purchase. I would assume that monocles, moustache wax and upper lip stiffener all belong to the later category.

Though the crown did provide a batman to carry out his duties as dogsbody to the well to do  lol