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1950 - Typical 49B Barrack Room of the Period

 

Thought to be Barrack Room G6

 

This photograph also appears in Dick WRIGHT’s photo album

 

Clearly visible are the ‘folding’ bedframes with bedding ‘made up’, the wall-mounted double-door two-shelf steel lockers above each bed-head, the emergency fire doors at the left of the rear end wall, the exposed wooden beams, and just in evidence to the right of picture a pint pot sitting atop a bedside cabinet.

 

The following information kindly submitted by Ron MARKS

 

Appearing in the photograph above (left to right) – legs with boots n/k, MEADOWS wearing beret, n/k, n/k, WRIGHT wearing beret, HENRY wearing beret and holding papers, n/k arms folded & wearing beret, BAKER, Ron MARKS, GALLOWAY sitting & leaning forward, LONG, RAFFERTY [originally 49A?] nearest camera.

 

This photograph also appears in Dave PERROTT’s photo album

 

View of the corner bedspace to the right of the fire doors. Clearly visible the occupant’s bed ‘made down’; bedside locker in the corner; steel locker holding the bulk of his kit, all neatly folded in regulation manner; on the top his webbing equipment (60lb pack, 30lb pack, and ammo pouches) neatly ‘boxed’, with mess tins placed either side, and SD cap. Three pegs below accommodate other items of kit, one of which is his Slade Wallace white belt. A white towel hangs on the right-hand locker support frame, beneath (freshly-blancoed in readiness for the morning muster parade) his web belt and gaiters. Under the window is the radiator, to its right a portion of the next man’s bedside locker.

 

[Not drawn to scale]

 

(left) – double door from/into interconnecting corridor; top left – room NCO’s bunk; top right – emergency fire doors. The drawing shows the placement of beds, bedside cabinets, and wall-mounted steel lockers.

 

 

This Is HQ Company?

 

By 1961, when this photograph was taken, the interior of the new barrack rooms had been markedly improved; so too had the apprentices’ lot.

 

 

Gone are the exposed beams; conventional light fittings with bulbs and green metal shades; wood-framed windows; bare polished floorboards; small metal lockers; collapsible bed frames; and cramped living conditions with barely enough bed space. “In the modern era” metal-frame windows with pelmets and curtains let in more natural light; individuals store their kit in a 6-feet double-door steel locker (half being hanging space, and half shelved); suitcases are provided; the floor appears to be covered with linoleum; metal bed frames are of the conventional type; there is a wall-mounted bookshelf above each bed head; individuals enjoy an enlarged bed space; and there are fewer apprentices occupying a barrack room.

 

It must be Hell!