Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2006/Uniforms
By John Gill and LCDR Antony Underwood
Wilkinson cuts sword production
Semper qualities suprema (Always the finest quality)
Henry Nock and James Wilkinson would turn in their graves.
After more than two centuries, the company they founded has ceased producing swords.
And the RAN, and presumably other armed forces they provide, have to shop around for another manufacturer.
The Soldier Support Systems Project Office (SSPO) has advised Navy that it's examining alternatives. The office has asked companies to provide samples for assessment and it is hoped that an evaluation of the samples will be undertaken in the next month or so.
Wilkinson Swords started out as gunmakers to King George III two years after CAPT James Cook RN first made landfall here.
Wilkinson, Nock's son-in-law, moved the manufacturing plant a number of times and, with the efforts of successive Wilkinsons, the company had a range of some 5000 products including swords, cut-throat razors and bayonets in the late 19th Century when they began producing the first safety razors.
After turning out aircraft fire protection systems, commando knives and flak jackets for British and American aviators during WW II, they produced gardening equipment.
The dropping of swords from their product line leaves them marketing a line of safety razors for men's faces and women's legs with names such as Intuition Melon and Extra II Beauty, manicure and pedicure sets and Men's and Lady Protector Gels.
Back pack, general purpose
In the latter stages of 2005, the procurement agency (SS SPO) advised that they were no longer able to supply the bag, travelling (aka pussers' grip). The opportunity was taken to assess a number of 'sports' bag options, with a back-pack style being considered the preferred replacement. The black Back Packs are a 'commercial off the shelf' (COTS) item and are being progressively issued to new entry officers and sailors as stocks of the old bag are exhausted. It is anticipated that the back packs will become available for repayment sale in July to coincide with the release of the next clothing price list.
Change proposals
The recent release of gilt badges for MGO, engineering officers and supply officers has seen an influx of queries regarding extension of the awards to senior sailors. These queries have been received through the Sea Change implementation database and also by informal approaches to this section. ABR81 Chapter 9 paragraphs 9.14 -9.16 provide information regarding how to instigate change proposals and specifically addresses the requirement for proposals to be staffed through the chain of command (in the case of badges the category sponsor is also required to provide input). Proposals may be initiated by any member, but it is important that all information be provided including a hurt statement should the proposal not be adopted, and that the appropriate endorsements are received prior to the proposal being staffed by this section through to Deputy Chief of Navy.
Points of Contact:
Manager - Navy Uniforms, Mr John Gill (02) 6266 3007
Staff Officer - Navy Uniforms, Mrs Debra Locke (02) 6266 3820
