Help oversize uniform

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Relax, GIlles.... I think what they're trying to say is that as much as they admire your friend's spirit, the fact is that there were very few people in this society in 1943 who carried that kind of weight - and thus, very hard to find period clothing for them, especially uniforms. Regardless of the jokes about just needing a pulse to get into the army (and even then some would doubt that ), there were standards of fitness and health which I frankly doubt someone with a 66" chest and 52" waist could pass - hence the humour. I'm sorry if that offended you, but the fact is, I daresay the average Canadian soldier in WW2 would stand about 5'8" and be about 140 lbs (if that), which translates to about a 36" chest and 30" waist (if that).

Cheers,

Geoff

[Rob McCue]

Hi,

You may want to try a website from a fellow named Sanjiy Suri in India, his prices are very low, he custom makes the garments for you, and will ship them within a couple of months, he has WWII British battledress in Khaki color, not any Canadian green yet.

I have ordered mess kit, battle dress and parts of uniforms from him before and all have been in good quality and the service hasn't let me down yet.

His website is,

http://www.replicaters.com/

Cheers,

Rob

[dougiebarder]

Originally Posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball

Relax, GIlles.... I think what they're trying to say is that as much as they admire your friend's spirit, the fact is that there were very few people in this society in 1943 who carried that kind of weight - and thus, very hard to find period clothing for them, especially uniforms. Regardless of the jokes about just needing a pulse to get into the army (and even then some would doubt that ), there were standards of fitness and health which I frankly doubt someone with a 66" chest and 52" waist could pass - hence the humour. I'm sorry if that offended you, but the fact is, I daresay the average Canadian soldier in WW2 would stand about 5'8" and be about 140 lbs (if that), which translates to about a 36" chest and 30" waist (if that).

Cheers,

Geoff

I'm not a fan of reenactors, but I might not mind so much if it was done realisticly. Which in his case would probably involve being beasted around the parade ground, until he was fit-should be funny to watch at least

(sorry-couldn't resist)

[Niteshade]

I am going to have to concur to some degree. As much as it pleases me that he is wanting to be a re-enactor (and these folk are hard to come by), he is grossly obese and never would have been allowed entry into the forces back in the war.

Do you really want someone so obese representing 3rd (Montreal) Field Battery of Artillery? Would the representation you put forward reflect accurately that unit during WW2? I would say not. I don't think they let 300+ lb people in their unit then.

There are a number of reproduction companies in the world who fabricate new repro items. Use google/yahoo and search "ww2 uniform reproduction" and you will find many suppliers. Maybe one can custom tailor a uniform for your friend.

Good luck.

Nites

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Niteshade

I
Do you really want someone so obese representing 3rd (Montreal) Field Battery of Artillery? Would the representation you put forward reflect accurately that unit during WW2? I would say not. I don't think they let 300+ lb people in their unit then

Brad,

I am not sure where you live, but in most of Canada, what we do today does not always reflect the way we were in the past. Take the Citadel at Halifax - some members of the period reinactors summer program are black and in all likelyhood, blacks would not have served in a line infantry unit nor worn that type uniform.

As you mentioned, volunteers are very hard to come by. The private museum with which I associate takes one and all and are grateful for it. In most federally sponsored historcial venues, volunteering for a uniformed re-enactment is open to all Canadians - and is only limited by physical ability and age.

In a perfect world, re-enactors would look the part from boot polish to brass cleaner, but they are not. The unfortunate thing is that most Canadian wouldn't have a clue whether or not an "obese" individual would have served. Besides, what's the harm?

Your general statement about hard to come by volunteers and suggestion to use Google are helpful and I hope this thread stays that way. Keep in mind that the fellow in question just might be a member of this forum or at least a visitor thinking of making a contribution (financial or informational?) to it. We should be congratulating those folks who take the time to keep our military heritage alive - any way we can. There are plenty of "purists" who will point out errors, but the bottom line is volunteering must be fun, otherwise the interest will die.

So, let's all have fun - get out there and volunteer! And to those who do volunteer - well done. At least you are doing something and not just sitting on your butts pointing out errors or inconsistencies.

The soap box is yours...

[dougiebarder]

I can see how the people who put in all the work on their vehicles are keeping history alive, (as long as they are accurate). But are re-enactors really representing the original soldiers, or just playing soldiers and showing off. I've always said, that I would much sooner see one original uniform on a dummy (that I could see properly) than a battalion worth of uniforms running around a field playing soldiers. The men and women who wore (and still wear) these uniforms for real went through a lot to earn the right.
A friend of mine was at beltring for the first time, and although he quiet enjoyed the experience, he found the re-enactors very unsettling. He could see why the old(ish) men might want to dress up (if they regretted not joining up, and wanted to get what they considered a similar experience. But he couldn't understand why the young ones didn't join up for real, and do something usefull, rather than playing around in a field for a week.
There's a section in spike milligans memoirs where he explains how one batman saluted the officers best uniform every morning, regardless of whether the officer was wearing it or not. It was the uniform of the king and what it represented was his excuse. It might be taking it to an extreme, but It does represent the way soldiers feel about other people wearing uniform and insignia.
Rant over (and I didn't even mention the health risks of being that size)

[sapper740]

For a sec Gentlemen, I thought I was reading posts to a Texas Reenactors forum. It appears the issue of authenticity straddles the globe. We in Texas have recently gone through a very divisive issue that threatened to split the Reenactor community in twain. The issue was facial hair on any reenactor in general and GebirgsJagers in particular. Despite many period photos to the contrary, the organizers of a popular annual event forbade the wearing of facial hair on any Axis reenactor. The 5th Gebirgs are one of Texas' largest German units and they boycotted the event along with many of their friends, myself included. The next annual event was a dismal failure, unfortunately. This display of solidarity convinced the organizers to relent and authenticity standards are now set by the Unit Commanders of the various reenactment groups. At a recent event I authorized my unit to cease shaving one week before the event in order to present the most authentic impression of the Canadian fighting soldier a la the picture taken on Aug. 11, 1943 of Sgt. H.E. Cooper of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. We looked great! No spit and polish during a hard fought battle and I dared any REMF to complain. No one did.
I feel the important thing in all this is missed. We should be doing this to honour the veterans and to keep the memory of their sacrifice alive for future generations. That is my overarching purpose when I go to reenactments. Not every reenactor's impression is perfect as it is extremely difficult to both know and then acquire what is correct. Counting eyelets in Ammo boots doesn't accomplish a thing (the reenactor's equivalent of picking fly shit out of pepper) and only serves to alienate people. Do I dishonour Vets by taking a No4 MkII to the field inplace of a No4 MkI? No, of course not but some Stitch Nazi might try to exclude someone who did. So Gilles, I applaud your friend's desire to join the reenactor community, tell him "Bonne chance!" from me.
The soap box is now available.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by sapper740

... I feel the important thing in all this is missed. We should be doing this to honour the veterans and to keep the memory of their sacrifice alive for future generations. That is my overarching purpose when I go to reenactments. Not every reenactor's impression is perfect as it is extremely difficult to both know and then acquire what is correct. ...some Stitch Nazi might try to exclude someone who did. So Gilles, I applaud your friend's desire to join the reenactor community, tell him "Bonne chance!" from me. The soap box is now available.

Excellent! Well put. Having fun and honouring our veterans - what more can you ask for? I love this hobby of ours. I have a CMP that is being restored to its original condition (with some constraints; namely, I am using new paint, some new nuts and bolts, new metal and new POL). It will look the part but will not be original. So what? It is a tribute to Cdn industrial power and our contribution to the defeat of tyranny.

The point is, no matter what you do to replicate the past as a young/middle aged WWII re-enactor, it won't be original. You were not there. But having fun in a way that makes a positive contribution to the memory of our troops, no matter what you look like, should be embraced and applauded.

Stitch and "bolt" nazis are welcome to criticize my truck, but be prepared to contribute to correcting the "problem" (i.e. money or parts), or just keep on walking by.

I hate smilies, but today I will make an exception. I salute all re-enactors for their willingness to try when others chose to sit back and bitch.