IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM...

Es-haq Khosravi
Thank you for sharing!

Steve Wilson
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Hi Es-haq... Incase you didn't see what I wrote:
On Wednesday 23 September, my wife and I were at the Imperial War Museum. I'm researching my fathers Royal Naval Service and getting some hands on information instead of relying solely on Google, which makes me giddy keep going round and round in circles. Whilst there we of course had to have a look around. Now some of you may know I love the unusual, the strange, the freaks, the different. So when I came across this exhibit, I was really taken in: During WW1, when those poor souls were fighting in the trenches, a select number of crack riflemen were picked for sniper school. Once they learnt their skill and expertise, the best of the best were sent into No Mans Land to hide and pick off visible enemy. But, for the sniper sent out there, it had it's consequences. In No Mans Land you left yourself vulnerable, by you also being visible to the enemy, leaving yourself to be picked off by their snipers. One clever sniper who got pissed off with the General's continuously sending him out for this rotten job all the time, (when they the Generals, sat in their comfortable Mansions, eating proper food and fine wines, wasting the lives of the men beneath them) Came up with a great idea, he invented a Sniper Suit. It was a coat and hood made out of old tent material and ground sheets, he studied the area he covered and hand painted it to blend in. Fearing he may be leaving himself open to serious discipline, for not wearing M.O.D. approved clothing. So he hid it in No Mans Land, wearing it only when on sniper duty, it also helped him avoiding the elements. So successful was his Kill rate, with no wounds himself, his superiors eventually became inquizitive and spied on him. He was sussed and sent before the Generals with the offending items of clothing, with visions of being shot at dawn, he faced his fate. He was asked various damning questions, which he answered honestly and truthfully. But to his astonishment they were profoundly proud of him, his design was made official and ordered to be issued to all Snipers as part of their regular uniform. Sadly or happily (However you view it) the War ended and his own sniper suit is the only one, thankfully saved from being lost forever. How many other stories like this are there, but long forgotten??? Thought I'd post it for your diorama ideas 😉
I found the story of it, sadly not his name!!!

M.Julian Marles
Wow! That is cool! And a cool story!

John Van Kooten
Thanks so much for posting your images and that story, Steve! That is truly awesome! I absolutely love these anecdotes that give us a small glimps of all that was going on. And it gives us an insight in the ingenuity of men trying to do their duty and survive at the same time. Amazing! Thank you 👍

Did you manage to find any information regarding your fathers service?

Ulf Petersen
Thank you for this interesting story, Steve!👍

Tim van Dooremalen
Cool story, Steve!

Steve Wilson
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Thanks guys, I've done a bit of my own research.
The story above told to me by a friendly member of staff, is not quite correct factually, might be slightly embellished for gaining interest... I now believe it was around the start of the War he designed it, the intrepid soul may have passed on his suit details to other soldiers, possibly for fags, rations or even cash. Whatever, seems it wasn't the only one. But from the new information, it seems the army wouldn't admit they existed, although they turned a blind eye and did nothing to stop them being used. The enemy even got wind of them as well, possibly using them themselves...

@J.V.Kooten... I found some information about the ship he was on, and some others as well. But information on my father is proving difficult, but they did tell me I can request a copy of his service record, They gave me details on how, I am now in the process of applying to RN Disclosure Cell, Portsmouth... I'm hoping for a positive result. I know what he's told me, but I also want to hear the official side of his Naval History and possibly??? what they thought of him. My father was a proud, honest man, but incredibly private, he didn't tolerate stupidity or dishonesty. Gaining his respect and friendship was difficult. He told me later in life, that he lost so many friends during those years, which upset him greatly, he kept later relationships at arms length for fear of reminders and losing them also... I was his only vent he had for relating his experiences to, no other person has heard them from him, not even other family!!! I now need them stamped official🤔

Martien Lourens
This is a great story you told, Steve. These are such experiences or facts, from individuals persons that you never hear on TV documentations about history. Thanks for sharing.

Steve Wilson
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Hi Martien, Guido, thanks...
Whatever the true story is behind this item, I'd love it, if there was evidence of a pissed off guy, making this. Then getting something for himself out of it, reminds me of the Del Boy character in "Only Fools and Horses" or even "Blackadder"... But alas no, seems there was a fair few more of these around than I was first made to think, in lots of different forms and styles, this is just one of many, but this coat & hood might be the only one that looks like this.
I can believe the powers that be, denying its existence, especially during that time in our illustrious history... he said sarcastically🤔
None the less it's an interesting story and I would love to see a TV documentary about the subject. Maybe then we'd get to learn the truth about it!!!

Martijn Kuijpers
Just saw this post when I was looking if you've increased your stash the last few weeks...;)
What a clever idea by that men!
Every little thing that helps you knowing more about your fathers history is something, so with a lot of small pieces you know in the end pretty much, I hope..