I find it rather interesting that Mr. Thomas Morrisey's birth certificate in 1890 was done using excellent cursive penmanship and with what appears to be a fountain pen, while his death notice in 1975 was completed using crude print with a ballpoint pen.
My wife who works for a mining company took me to one of their remote offices wherein was a display case with a great device. It was an old brass compass held in a gyroscope mount. The compass glass had markings for a spirit bubble and the rings on the gyroscope were marked out so as to get inclination and heading. The whole thing would fit into a loosely closed hand. And thank for your great videos!
I’m glad to see you passing 40,000 subscribers. I find it hard to believe you don’t have more. It seems like you have acquired the last 2,000 subs fairly quickly compared to the first 38,000. Your videos are wonderful and I hope you are able to call RUclips your career.
MLRS used to have Abney levels in their kit for ensuring the rockets didn't plow into masking terrain. We used them during firing point selection or fire missions with short range and low QE. They got rid of them and we used M2 compasses for the task. The Abney level was WAYYYY better for this.
Salut Gilles! I've only just recently started watching your channel. This specific video hit closer to home for me though as I am both a Montréalais born and raised, as well as a trained land surveyor and outdoors enthusiast. Pretty cool video, and really a great channel! Cheers!
GSO does not mean 'General Service Order'. It is not a decoration, but an appointment - General Staff Officer - signifying that an officer has been allocated to the Staff. To quote the Field Service Regulations: "An officer of the staff, as such, is vested with no military command, but he has a twofold responsibility; first, he assists a commander in the supervision and control of the operations and requirements of the troops, he transmits his orders and instructions and arranges details connected therewith; secondly, it is his duty to give to the troops every assistance in his power in carrying out the instructions issued to them." GSOs were divided into three Grades - GSO I, GSO II, GSO III - with GSO I being the most senior, usually with rank of Lt.-Col., and responsible for the general branch at Division/Corps level. Morrisey was appointed GSO III on 21 Jan 1916; GSO II on 10 Jun 1917 attached to the headquarters of 1st Canadian Division, then later transferring to the UK where he served as GSO II at the HQ of Overseas Military Forces of Canada. He made GSO I (provisionally) back in Canada on 19 Sep 1918 ahead of the CEF expedition to support White Russians in Siberia. This was an important senior role in the CSEF and his situation reports from Omsk appear in the CSEF war diaries. If you can visit the Canadian Archives, they also hold a CBC radio recording from 1963 described thus: "Interview with Lieutenant Colonel T.S. Morrissey about his experiences with the 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion at the Western Front and with the Canadian Expeditionary Force to Siberia during World War." One suspects there will a great deal to interest you in this recording. See here: central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=filvidandsou&id=116967&lang=eng Well done for keeping the memory of such men alive.
Early in my Photography life I bought a Westonmaster selenium light meter in a metal body - in a robust leather case. It was black, but in many ways it was a WW2 era design, no battery needed. Far more robest than my current SECONIC L308S light & flash-meter. Even that would now seem like an antique to current photography people. As a land surveyor in the 1970s-90s most levels & theodolites came in very robust site rated cases made of metal, composite or wood. They were more like military equipment.
My old hiking compass is like the first you showed. It is marked MK IX No 10507 J.W. Handley Melb Australia 1941. The dial is mother of pearl but blacked out in the centre and the case has been painted black.
I used theodolites for aligning shipboard weapons systems for many years. After retiring I found an Austrian made theodolite on eBay that was made in the late 19th century. It is still functional and I wonder about its value. Do you have any idea about that? It’s a beautifully made precision instrument, far more accurate than a transit.
Gilles, you remind me of someone, myself but your education is far and above mine. However, my mechanical inquisitiveness matches yours. I suspect I actually do a bit more actual physical construction and destruction of things than you do or maybe just different things. Keep it up you inspire me to no end. by the way I have spent off and on a couple of years in Halifax, Antigonish, Mulgrave and St. Johns about 2 years past.
I see this and feel bad about the many things with many stories that have crossed my path but I wasn't able to obtain or keep. IMHO so many people have no imagination. Think of the stories and lessons missed.
Eh... I'd still stay well away from the radium paint. Some of its decay products are gamma emitters, for instance. Also radon gas comes to mind. I wouldn't spend long periods of time near that thing. Apart from that, if you wanted to, it wouldn't take much to freshen up the phosphors so they glow again. Just don't put the brush in your mouth!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I find it rather interesting that Mr. Thomas Morrisey's birth certificate in 1890 was done using excellent cursive penmanship and with what appears to be a fountain pen, while his death notice in 1975 was completed using crude print with a ballpoint pen.
Truly speaks to the times. Two world wars and much, much more has affected us.
The personal service histories was a nice unexpected bonus.
It’s amazing that your aunt would send such high quality “Tools” to an 8 year old. And even more amazing that the 8 year old would still have them.
Your box sextant is a wonderful example of instrument making. Nothing like well made tools and instruments.
The amount of detective work you did for this video is amazing.
My wife who works for a mining company took me to one of their remote offices wherein was a display case with a great device. It was an old brass compass held in a gyroscope mount. The compass glass had markings for a spirit bubble and the rings on the gyroscope were marked out so as to get inclination and heading. The whole thing would fit into a loosely closed hand.
And thank for your great videos!
Thank you for KEEPING History ALIVE with Real People!
A wonderful tribute to the men and the instruments.
Would love to see these pieces actually used in the field and how the data was exactly recorded, these manual methods are very fascinating
I’m glad to see you passing 40,000 subscribers. I find it hard to believe you don’t have more. It seems like you have acquired the last 2,000 subs fairly quickly compared to the first 38,000. Your videos are wonderful and I hope you are able to call RUclips your career.
This should be required viewing, if not for everyone, at least Canada. Outstanding work!👏👏👏😎👍
The sextant segment is definitely W~A~Y over my head.
Fascinating video 😀 please continue your excellent work. Thank you 😊
I am fascinated with vintage instruments and other types of analog computers!
What a great gift to receive.
MLRS used to have Abney levels in their kit for ensuring the rockets didn't plow into masking terrain. We used them during firing point selection or fire missions with short range and low QE. They got rid of them and we used M2 compasses for the task. The Abney level was WAYYYY better for this.
Salut Gilles! I've only just recently started watching your channel. This specific video hit closer to home for me though as I am both a Montréalais born and raised, as well as a trained land surveyor and outdoors enthusiast. Pretty cool video, and really a great channel! Cheers!
Congratulations on 5000 subscribers!
I cant stop watching your videos. I am addicted to your channel and Technology Connections.
Again a very interesting lecture. And very well and clearly explained. Thank you
GSO does not mean 'General Service Order'. It is not a decoration, but an appointment - General Staff Officer - signifying that an officer has been allocated to the Staff. To quote the Field Service Regulations: "An officer of the staff, as such, is vested with no military command, but he has a twofold responsibility; first, he assists a commander in the supervision and control of the operations and requirements of the troops, he transmits his orders and instructions and arranges details connected therewith; secondly, it is his duty to give to the troops every assistance in his power in carrying out the instructions issued to them."
GSOs were divided into three Grades - GSO I, GSO II, GSO III - with GSO I being the most senior, usually with rank of Lt.-Col., and responsible for the general branch at Division/Corps level. Morrisey was appointed GSO III on 21 Jan 1916; GSO II on 10 Jun 1917 attached to the headquarters of 1st Canadian Division, then later transferring to the UK where he served as GSO II at the HQ of Overseas Military Forces of Canada. He made GSO I (provisionally) back in Canada on 19 Sep 1918 ahead of the CEF expedition to support White Russians in Siberia. This was an important senior role in the CSEF and his situation reports from Omsk appear in the CSEF war diaries.
If you can visit the Canadian Archives, they also hold a CBC radio recording from 1963 described thus: "Interview with Lieutenant Colonel T.S. Morrissey about his experiences with the 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion at the Western Front and with the Canadian Expeditionary Force to Siberia during World War." One suspects there will a great deal to interest you in this recording.
See here: central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=filvidandsou&id=116967&lang=eng
Well done for keeping the memory of such men alive.
Early in my Photography life I bought a Westonmaster selenium light meter in a metal body - in a robust leather case. It was black, but in many ways it was a WW2 era design, no battery needed. Far more robest than my current SECONIC L308S light & flash-meter. Even that would now seem like an antique to current photography people.
As a land surveyor in the 1970s-90s most levels & theodolites came in very robust site rated cases made of metal, composite or wood. They were more like military equipment.
This really reminds me of looking in boyscout supplies catalogues as a kid for some reason
My old hiking compass is like the first you showed. It is marked MK IX No 10507 J.W. Handley Melb Australia 1941. The dial is mother of pearl but blacked out in the centre and the case has been painted black.
The story of Lewis has again shown me that war is a real ball ache.
That is fantastic!
I used theodolites for aligning shipboard weapons systems for many years. After retiring I found an Austrian made theodolite on eBay that was made in the late 19th century. It is still functional and I wonder about its value. Do you have any idea about that? It’s a beautifully made precision instrument, far more accurate than a transit.
How bright was radium paint when new? I have only ever seen it depleted.
I was wondering what was up with the two ghosts standing behind you through the whole video. Those service records make them make more sense
very interesting
Where can I buy a box sextant I want one
I have a K+E Foresters Compass complete with Jacobs Staff.
I have a Mk7 Vernier Patent, dated 1917. Marked FJ. On this version when you shut the cover down it automatically locks the card.
Please stop eating my hair
What was the clip at the beginning from?
"Blackadder goes Forth"
Thanks
Invalided is my new favorite word.
Aged 8. Destiny actualised!!
Gilles, you remind me of someone, myself but your education is far and above mine. However, my mechanical inquisitiveness matches yours. I suspect I actually do a bit more actual physical construction and destruction of things than you do or maybe just different things. Keep it up you inspire me to no end. by the way I have spent off and on a couple of years in Halifax, Antigonish, Mulgrave and St. Johns about 2 years past.
Is that a K&E slide rule on the shelf behind you on your right? Brings back college memories.
Looks like a Pickett to me.
I see this and feel bad about the many things with many stories that have crossed my path but I wasn't able to obtain or keep. IMHO so many people have no imagination. Think of the stories and lessons missed.
Eh... I'd still stay well away from the radium paint. Some of its decay products are gamma emitters, for instance. Also radon gas comes to mind. I wouldn't spend long periods of time near that thing.
Apart from that, if you wanted to, it wouldn't take much to freshen up the phosphors so they glow again. Just don't put the brush in your mouth!
I suspect Major Lewis didn't have any descendants.
Shot in the balls.... I can imagine the cause of death. It just took a while.
w