Despatch riders ww2 weapons

Dispatch riders were used by armed forces to deliver urgent orders and messages between headquarters and military units. Discover recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas to try. A dispatch is a military messenger, mounted on horse or motorcycle. This was because despatch riders had to be able to speak directly to officers, and the military rules of the day prevented rankers eg, privates, or drivers or sappers. During ww2 british motorcyclist were to be found in all brigades and divisions preforming a variety of different roles from a dispatch rider delivering messages in the royal signals from unit headquarters and royal artillery delivering messages to gun batteries,road traffic duty in the royal military police and a general motorcyclist in most corp passing on urgent. Find dispatch rider from a vast selection of militaria. Newsreels shot between 1940 and 1946 by the canadian army film unit for presentation to servicemen and women. Several shots of army despatch riders on a reliability run through forests, over rough ground and steep hills. Within the wehrmacht you got to differentiate between dispatch riders kradmelder and regular motorbike troops kradschutzen, usually battalion strength. British wwii dispatch rider still drives his british wwii. British wwii dispatch rider rubberized canvas coat. Post ww2 british army dispatch riders sd pantaloons motor cyclists trous. British ww2 era motorcyclist pantaloons pants dispatch rider motorcycle. In the first and second world war despatch riders on motorcycles carried.

S a women despatch riders aka south african women despatch riders. In a september 1914 account it is stated that the french despatch riders, like the british, are equipped with a revolver, whereas their german counterparts are equipped with mausers. Soldiers photos of eating, drinking, sleeping, girls page 182 british despatch riders. A good original 1945 dated british army dispatch riders pantaloonsbreeches.

This dispatch rider set is what a soldier during ww2 would wear riding a motorbike, we don. Overview of ww2 combat innovation ww2 weapons are a result of rapid technological innovation in response to the needs of the various combatants. Through the course of the war, weapons of all types evolved greatly and increased incomplexity. Motorcycle dispatch riders have been around nearly from the start of the motorcycle era. Similar in design to the paratroopers helmet, the dispatch riders helmet was introduced in october of 1942.

Over 100 wrens, women motorcycle riders, were killed and lost their lives serving their country proudly as women motorcycle dispatch riders. German wehrmacht motorcycle kradmeldern despatch riders covered in dust from the poor roads on the eastern front are viewed by curious villagers during operation barbarossa. Canadian dispatch riders in wwiilast week, we managed to dig up some footage of british motorcycles being tested for use in world war i. World war 11 british military despatch riders motorcycle. The great war was the first conflict in which motorcycle despatch riders played any sort of role in battlefield signals. Breast of man overjacket 43ins to 44inssold out size 9 height of man 511 to 60. Army despatch riders go on a reliability run over rough ground and steep hills. A slight modification of an existing civilian vehicle, the harleydavidson wla was a popular bike among the american armed forces, who used it for police work, reconnaissance, and communications. Apr 01, 2018 the despatch rider and the wren is part of the british war stories series, this episode focusses on husband and wife john and margaret gordon.

The german butterfly bomb was a highly effective twokilogram antipersonnel weapon dropped by aircraft. How motorcycle despatch riders helped win world war one british. Many different weapons systems evolved as a result. The soviet submachine gun was one of the most common weapons of the second world war. During wwii, women were called up to serve in a number of onland military roles for the british royal navy. British ww2 dispatch riders uniform set soldier of fortune. Oct 14, 2012 newsreels shot between 1940 and 1946 by the canadian army film unit for presentation to servicemen and women. Their job was to man and maintain the vast fleets of aircraft needed to attack german.

In the uk despatch rider is also a term used for a motorcycle courier. Im making a study of the ww1 despatch riders, and if you post your relatives details, i may be able to help you find details of his career. An extremely nice pair of wartime british military dispatch riders boots. Four motorcycle bren gun teams of the royal montreal regiment. This dispatch rider set is what a soldier during ww2 would wear riding a motorbike, we dont have. Video wwii army motorcycle dispatch riders had brass. World war ii saw rapid technological innovation in response to the needs of the various combatants. Those with motorcycle experience were brought in when volunteers flooded in. Jan 04, 20 this was because despatch riders had to be able to speak directly to officers, and the military rules of the day prevented rankers eg, privates, or drivers or sappers. Despatch riders were used by armed forces to deliver urgent orders and messages between headquarters and military units. Dispatch riders uniform setduring ww2 british motorcyclist were to be found in all brigades and divisions. The fabric is a bit stiff from age but is not crumbling or flaking. Ww2 dated 37 pattern long despatch riders gaiters nos.

The british royal navy wanted women who could not only ride motorcycles, but also maintain their own machines. The despatch rider and the wren is part of the british war stories series, this episode focusses on husband and wife john and margaret gordon. Motorbike dispatch riders the unsung heroes of two world wars. The famous modification of the ppsh with a drum magazine has. While in the military the riders were paid 35 shillings per week the equivalent of. Made in 1940s by victory garment manfacturers government contractors. I think its probably a case of many soldiers were given a motorbike to carry out their duties, but not all would necessarily be r signals dispatch riders. British despatch riders in a world war these are the bravest badass women forever. This list does not consist of all weapons used by all countries in world war ii. A dispatch rider slip containing a hand written message from world war one, york castle museum, york, yorkshire, uk. Dispatch riders uniform setduring ww2 british motorcyclist were to be found in all brigades and divisions preforming a variety of different roles from a dispatch rider delivering messages in the royal signals from unit headquarters and royal artillery delivering messages to gun batteries,road traffic duty in the royal military police and a general motorcyclist in most corp passing on urgent documents. During ww2 british motorcyclist were to be found in all brigades and divisions preforming a variety of different roles from a dispatch rider delivering messages in the royal signals from unit headquarters and royal artillery delivering messages to gun batteries,road traffic duty in the royal military police and a general motorcyclist in most corp passing. Canadian army newsreel dispatch riders train for action.

My partners grandmother was a dispatch motorcycle rider. They had a vital role at a time when telecommunications were limited and insecure. Various shots of the canadian despatch riders being filmed by army cameramen probably for canadian newsreel. Motorcyclists sign on to act as volunteer despatch riders. Several period markings on the interior, heat applied inner seams, a few of which have opened up a bit. Massive rubberized fabric dispatch riders coat with waistbelt. Just after they pulled up behind their own lines alongside allied guns. At age 19, having completed basic training at fort william, now known as thunder bay, harry watts official position with the canadian armoured corps initially began as trooper. Triumph, meanwhile, boasted a british order for 30,000, though it also supplied greek despatch riders with 550cc singleengine bikes. Number of bids and bid amounts may be slightly out of date. There are four photos of raf drls despatch rider letter service related activities in the book the postal history of the naval and raf postal services by e b proud. Various shots of the men smiling to camera, marching, talking, one of the men posing on his bike etc.

Bbc ww2 peoples war a few memories of a despatch rider. The boots were a high leg and had 3 metal buckles on top plus a reinforced leather toe for protection. Junkers ju 87b1 luftwaffe, ww2 aircraft, military aircraft, scale models. Motorcycle dispatch riders texas daredevils 19141918 british made testing army motorcycles 1915 military police motorcycle training 1940 u. Stewarts military antiques british wwii dispatch rider. Top secret messages could bring dispatch riders right to the front lines. Ww2 rubberized motorcyclists coat dispatch rider genuine nos. Over two million american servicemen passed through britain during the second world war.

November 1941 i received my calling up papers instructing me to report to the royal corps of signals at the british rail holiday camp in prestatyn in north wales. You can kit up with standard army issue of the time, add a leather jerkin if you want, badge up as quite a few regiments most had motorcycle riders not all where despatch riders, royal engineer sargents had a motorcycle to get to scene of uxbs and the truck with the sapper followed, royal signals is the most well known despatch riders. The sten was issuedto vehicle crews, despatch riders, and those who had no need for a long range weapon. Riders had to deliver the message via the most direct route, in the shortest possible time. Pioneers female dispatch riders of world war ii group during world war ii, the british royal navy created an all female corps whose members were nicknamed the wrens. Their job was to man and maintain the vast fleets of. Ww2 raf air ministry despatch rider message box 1939. See each listing for international shipping options and costs. Breast of man overjacket 41ins to 43ins sold out size 10 height of man 511 to 60. The royal engineers took on the main task of providing them and men were specially trained pre1914 to operate motorcycles. Dispatch riders were military messengers mounted on horseback who delivered urgent orders from headquarters to the soldiers.

The first women chosen for dispatch duty were wellknown competition riders from local motorcycle race circuits. Riding through a village i caught up a convoy of french horse drawn vehicles, guns, etc. They came into their own during the two world wars carrying messages to and fro across the battlefield. See more a canadian army motorcycle combat team whose role in combat was questionable, but never tested. List of common world war ii infantry weapons wikipedia. British army despatch dispatch rider pantaloons trousers large size 18 w. Its lights were changed from the civilian model to meet military standards and it was fitted with special brackets to carry a submachine gun. A despatch rider or dispatch is a military messenger, mounted on horse or motorcycle and occasionally in egypt during world war i, on camels in the uk despatch rider is also a term used for a motorcycle courier despatch riders were used by armed forces to deliver urgent orders and messages between headquarters and military units. Memories of a ww2 despatch rider, by douglas chisholm. In 1944, at the height of activity, up to half a million were based there with the united states army air forces usaaf. During the second world war john started out serving in the antiaircraft artillery before becoming a despatch rider.

For riders, enlistment as a dispatcher lasted a year, or however long the war lasted. Scroll down to see more articles about the history of ww2 weapons. The boots are dirtydusty from years of storage and could do with a good clean and polish but are in amazing condition, the leather still retaining its original pebbled texture to the surface layer and all is soft and supple, the buckles and straps are again excellent and the soles are in nice. They are in excellent order with no damage but just minor surface wear in places, all original buttons are in place and good and the original size label is to the rear for sizes see photos it has a printed date of 1945 and an ink stamped date of july 1945. Americans typically on harleys and indians, brits on triumphs and enfields. A despatch rider or dispatch is a military messenger, mounted on horse or motorcycle and occasionally in egypt during world war i, on camels. British wwii dispatch rider still drives his british wwii bike royal enfield. Ww2 british army dispatch riders pantaloons world war wonders. A dispatch rider with the 2nd canadian infantry division wrestles his. Ww2 british army dispatch riders pantaloons world war. In the british army, motorcycle despatch riders were first used in the world war i by the royal engineers signal service. Dec 15, 2011 automoto despatch riders of past wars remembered.

One of those roles was motorcycle dispatchers for messages. Royal enfield manufactured for both the uk war department and, notably, won a contract to supply to the russians. World war ii was fought from 1939 to 1945 and saw variety of weapons used in the field. One occasion, she rode through the streets in the dark during a bombing raid. Information during both world wars was on a needtoknow basis, leaving dispatch riders in the dark as to what each message contained. This is a list of infantry weapons which were in mainstream use during world war ii 19391945. Motorcycle despatch riders of wwi one of my favourite tv shows is doyles war, a crime show set in england during ww2, where michael kitchens detective foyle unravels diabolical crimes in the british coastal hamlet of hastings, aided by his loyal driver, samantha stewart played by honeysuckle weeks, an enthusiastic young woman who is eager to assist in the detective work. There are interior leg straps for wear while operating a motorcycle. Canadian despatch rider and signal operators at work. Army motorcycle dispatch riders pass road test wwii. This staged grouping portays one aspect of the new mechanized warfare concept for the canadian army in world war 2 battle. Many different weapons systems we see today evolved from world war 2 warfare.

Dispatch riders were issued a special pair of boots and breeches to ride motorbikes during ww2. Female dispatch riders of world war ii as more and more men were called for active duty at sea and abroad, women were trained for many duties in wwii. They put on gas masks when they see a sign reading gassed section and carry on. How motorcycle despatch riders helped win world war one. Motorbike dispatch riders the unsung heroes of two world. From my previous linky our thinking was that as we had motor bikes we would join the royal signals as despatch riders which we did. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. These boots have been made with a rubber dms sole instead of the original leather sole which makes it safer and more comfortable to wear. As wartime need increased, more women were trained, many of whom served with great distinction. In the uk despatch rider is the most common term used for a motorcycle courier.

Yet despite the odds stacked against them, dispatch riders held no rank and were rarely acknowledged for their important role in the war. Australian motorcycle despatch riders riding across desert in north africa. Enlistment did not fall under the jurisdiction of conscription. Manufactured by briggs motor bodies ltd, it is stamped bmb with date 1944 and size 6 12. The sten was a very simply built weapon, manufactured from just 47 parts, mainly stamped from steel and welded, sweated, pressed or riveted together. Dispatch riders dr boots by gse soldier of fortune military. World war ii greatly advanced technology and the weapons developed helped shape the postwar world. Nov 01, 2007 yet despite the odds stacked against them, dispatch riders held no rank and were rarely acknowledged for their important role in the war. Documentary war stories the despatch rider and the wren. My great grandad was a dispatch rider in ww1 as he lost an eye working on his bike.

Harry watts the dispatch rider motorcycles in the war. In the british army, motorcycle despatch riders were first used in the world war i by the royal. Original ww2 british army motor transport dispatch rider armoured goggles x 6. A unique document of canadas role in the war on the front lines as well as on the. This example is in excellent condition, with only slight wear from service usage.