doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Colored stripes on English truck cases?

I've got a question regarding the colored(coloured?) stripes often found wrapping around old english leather and sometimes canvas trunk cases. I've been told by an old time gun tinker in Jolly Ol' that they colors indicating the owners military outfit. If this is the case; does anyone know how to determine the unit/branch of service from the colors. I'm attempting to research the owner of an old cartridge magazine and need a starting point.

Cheers,
Michael

French grey over blue (equal heights)- Signals in Canadian and Brit armies.
Velox Versutus Vigilins.

Ian,

From the reading I did today I discovered that Velox Versutus Vigilans is the regimental motto of the Royal Canadian Corp of Signals. Was "Swift, Skilled, Alert" also the general motto for all those in the British and Canadian services? The colors I'm trying to research are two stripes of equal width one green and one blue. The stripes are painted on, and wrap all the way around the case, passing under the handle. I've seen a number of old english cases with different color combos but all two stripes of equal width. Because military records are usually available; I'm hoping that armed with a range of dates, a regiment and three initials I can discover a possible owner.
Thanks for the informative reply.

Cheers,
Michael

To my knowledge, each regiment and branch of service has its own crest(usually appearing on a cap badge, collar badge) and a specific colored striped tie to be worn with civilian clothes by members of such a regiment. There is a similar arrangement for school ties and I believe memberships in clubs and private societies. In this country we are walking around in 'repp' ties that may or may not signify something in England and we are not aware of it. Similar to a Yankees hat or University of Wherever shirt on some guy in Borneo. Here is a link to a tailor in England that does military work. Look through the ties section to see if you can find a match. If I've given incorrect details, please correct me. http://www.goldings.co.uk/online_shop/ties.php

Michael; Somewhat OT but interesting nevertheless.
Google "army stable belt" to further your search for corps colours.
Velox Versutus Vigilins appeared on our R.C. Corps of Signals (Queen's Crown) hatbadge. Other corps in the Canadian Army had their own hatbadges and mottos thereon. In the Infantry and Armoured Corps , the various Regular regiments (Queen's Own, PPCLI, RCR, Van-Doos, Black Watch, 8th Canadian Hussars, Fort Gary Horse etc.) had their own capbadges and mottos. The Militia infantry and armoured regiments had their own individual capbadges too. In 1963 basic training at Vimy Barracks Kingston we were taught that V.V.V. meant speed, accuracy, watchfulness - different words than your translation but they mean the same. The R.C. Air Force had their own (single) hatbadge as did the R.C. Navy. With the "unification" of the Canadian Armed Forces in the 1967/68 period, Army Signals, RCAF communicators and RCN communicators all were melded into the Communications Branch - new "unified" Communications Branch hatbadge with motto - Celer et Fidelis.
In the 1963-65 period I recall some older signallers at work wearing their "stable belts" - a belt of relatively wide stiff cloth of corps colours (French grey over blue). I remember seeing other corps' "stable belts" being worn in Camp Petawawa Ontario in 1965, but they disappeared shortly thereafter.
Hope this helps.