Cable reel & harness
 

I brought home a harness for a cable spool of signal wire and cleaned it up. Then the search for a cable spool started. My last trip to the surplus yard unveiled 3 of them. Then the restoration of those took place. Just finished the last one yesterday. Today it was time to load the spools with wire. Too hot today but I did it anyway! Looks better with cable wound on them.
Anybody know the history of the use of these? Any photo’s of them being used overseas during the war or were they just used here in Canada? I could not find one image of them anywhere.
I also found a signals brassard. They have an arrow on the back to show it was worn White side up. Anybody know what the brassard represented?
Another piece for the collection done!
Thanks,Derk

Not sure what the 2 holes in the side of the cable reel plate was for?

Finally figured out how to load the cable by myself. Tie one end to the fence, go to the other end and start cranking!

Or tie a brick to the cable, sit on your deck with a coke and the reeling machine, and wind it in.

He would probably do it faster, Rob, if he was reeling in a case of cold beer.

David

holes purpose
 

I would think the one toward the centre is for the start of the wire and the outer is for the end of the wire so the curcuit can be completed without unwinding?

Derk, white over blue is always correct for signals. The arm band was usually worn by a Royal Corps of Signals dispatch rider (DR or Don R) Other motorcyclists were classed as just that "Motorcyclist".

The arm band would give a DR absolute priority at any form of traffic control. Ron

Thanks Ron, I’ve always wanted a wartime motorcycle, now I have the excuse to get one!
Cheers,Derk

The Canadians used lots of Norton 16H's as well as Harley WLC's. There's an excellent book on WW2 Canadian motorcycles and their riders called "The Winged Wheel Patch" Ron

You don't need an excuse to get a WW2 Cdn motorcycle Derk....just lots of cash.

I have cash but it’s to buy a new reliable truck to pull the camper the wife bought last fall.
Now if I could find a wartime motorcycle that would pull a 30 foot camper then my problem would be solved!
Thanks again Ron for the information.
Regards,Derk

How about a Kettenkrad, Derk?

David