Topic: The RCR
Passing timely and accurate messages on the battlefield has always been a continuing challenge for armies, with emphasis on employing the newest technological innovations. The following General Order, published in the Canada Gazette, details the signalling equipment issued for training purpses to the Depots of The Royal Canadian Regiment in 1903. before the advent of radio, the latest technologies included semaphore flags, heliographs, and telegraph keys for Morse code. The news article at right, from the Timaru Herald (1886), decribes the use of the "limelight" signalling apparatus.
Army Signalling by Night.
Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII,
Issue 3613, 30 April 1886, Page 3
General Orders, 1903
Headquarters, Ottawa
1st February, 1903
General Order No. 16
Signalling Equipment
The following details of signalling equipment are authorized for issue to the permanent units, as mentioned below.
The Royal Canadian Dragoons, the Royal Canadian Field Artillery, the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery, the Canadian Mounted Rifle and each Regimental Depot of The Royal Canadian Regiment.
(3) Each Regimental Depot Royal Canadian Regiment.
| Oxygen mixture | 104* | ||
| Methylated spirits | 50* | ||
| Scissors, lamp | 4 | ||
| Apparatus, limelight | bags | gas | 4 |
| pressure | 2 | ||
| bottles, cleansing gas | 2 | ||
| can, tin | 2 | ||
| cases | brass | 2 | |
| tin | 2 | ||
| cylinders, lime pencils | 2 | ||
| flasks | 2 | ||
| lamps | 2 | ||
| pencils (doz) | 2* | ||
| retorts, mark III | 4 | ||
| spanners | 4 | ||
| Cans, oil, feeding, army signalling | 1 | ||
| Cases, message book | 2 | ||
| Cotton, waste (lbs) | 3 | ||
| Flags, signal, army | blue | 3 feet square | 4 |
| 2 feet square | 12 | ||
| white with stripe | 3 feet square | 4 | |
| 2 feet square | 12 | ||
| poles | 5 feet 6 inches | 10 | |
| 3 feet 6 inches | 26 | ||
| Heliographs, 3 inch (with stand) mark III | 2 | ||
| Lamps, bull's-eye, signal (with stand) | 4 | ||
| Panniers, signalling, No. 1 | 2 | ||
| Panniers, signalling, No. 2 | 2 | ||
| Stands, telescope, signalling | 2 | ||
| Telescope, signalling | 2 | ||
| Tubing, india rubber (yards) | 10* | ||
| Wheels, cypher | 2 | ||
| Key, dummy, signallers | 2 | ||
| Binoculars | 2 | ||
| Binoculars, case | 2 | ||
| Cards, test | 50 | ||
| Books, Manual of Instruction | 4 | ||
| Message forms | 600 | ||
| Oil, Colza (pints) | 10 | ||
| Wick, common (lbs) | 2* | ||
| Wick, round, 1 ½ inch (yards) | 10 | ||
* Twelve months supply.
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