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G63 MkI Box, Ammo Wood

pedro

Well-Known Member
Ordnance approved
See attached for No63 Grenades
81375846_766735193737509_7056101977033277440_n.jpg

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81334192_766735273737501_1987318021110104064_n.jpg
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C.E.K. - Most probably - C.E. Koch, Wood Machinist, 18 Railway Terrace, Hilton Road, Mile End, Adelaide, South Australia.

I've not seen that style of catch before.

TimG
 
Nice box pedro. I only have this one and a No36 box. Here are a few differences in what I call a scarce grenade box. We find lots of unpainted, unfilled No63 grenades in Australia.

My box has a white cloth tag: WGA L600 7490-010-3935. Who is WGA?
REP ?? WGA 763 on lid.
G 63 is stamped across the bottom, not lengthways.

I also show the two No63 Grenade lid stampings.
In 1939 they show 1 No63. In 1942 it is removed.
CPP in a triangle is the logo for Colton, Palmer & Preston in Adelaide, South Australia.

No63 Box a.jpegNo63 Box b.jpegNo63 Box c.jpegNo63 Box d.jpegNo63 Box e.jpegNo63 Grenade Lids.jpeg
 
The white cloth tag is a "Station Label"


1964.jpg

WGA - Is Wallangarra, Queensland - but it's more complicated than that. In 1942, work was started on constructing 3 Advanced Ordnance Depot (3 AOD) in Wallangarra, QLD. Part of the decision to build here was that the railway guage in adjoining New South Wales is different to that in Queensland, necessitating a complete transfer of stores etc., to suitable rolling stock. At the same time an Ammunition Depot - 1 Australian Ammunition Depot (1AAD) - New South Wales, was constructed on just the otherside of the border.


I believe the "REP" denotes repacked, 763 would have identified the Ammunition Examiner responsible for the repacking. Pedro's box was Inspected at Wallangarra by 268.


L600 - I presume to be the label number.

TimG
 
Great information Tim so thanks. Makes an item more interesting when you have history to go with it.
 
I believe the "REP" denotes repacked, 763 would have identified the Ammunition Examiner responsible for the repacking. Pedro's box was Inspected at Wallangarra by 268.



TimG
Close Tim. REP means Repaired. The repair could relate to any number of tasks on the item or its container. e.g. Removing and replacing Primers or Fuzes would be a Repair as would rust removal and repainting.
The Inspection or repair stencil format was INSP, or REP, nnn denoting the Technician in charge of the work, AAA representing the relevant Station Monogram and (m)myy indicating the month and year of the work (no leading zero)
e.g INSP288BGT482 represents an Inspection task conducted by me (288) at the depot in Bogan Gate in April 1982
 
the Repair stencil marking appears to be REP84WGA763 which equates to a Repair task conducted by Ammo Tech no.84 (Roy Robertson (RIP)) at Wallangarra NSW in July 1963
 
pedro
I find it amazing that an inspector of these boxes has commented. I cannot clearly see the stencil but I hope it is as you say and I thank you.
I do not intend to collect ammo or grenade boxes unless significant or rare in my eyes.
 
Last edited:
Ron,
I checked the stencil under high resolution in photoshop and even though some yellow paint has eroded you can make out the discolouration caused to the background paint. Confident that is was Roy Robertson (who I knew) and also fits with his dates. He qualified in 1961 on the very first Ammunition Technician (AT) Course conducted at Bandiana Vic. Prior to this technicians were titled as Ammunition Examiners and training had been conducted at the Ordnance School at Broadmeadows. Most inspections were conducted by junior AT (CPL/SGT) on their first and second postings. After this promotion would see you more in senior capacities overseeing workshops and storage.
 
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