Re the WRNS photo in my post above, here they are in their billet c/w Mossie nets over their beds.
Lady on the right appears to be checking her iPhone, but surely not - way back in 1944!

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0440e671d7.jpg

WRNS weren't the only white service women in Ceylon during WW2. The WAAF were there too as these two photos of WAAFs disembarking from a Troopship in Colombo Harbour and eating in their own dining room (location in Ceylon not specified).

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....75a6e34ded.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....384d7099f5.jpg

IWM Photos

Last photo, chap on right ... "I don't fancy yours either".


< oops, wrong thread ... Taxi!! >

Roofing material?
 

In the images of WAAFs & WRENS, the roofing material looks a bit like palm or banana leaf. Is it?

Palm leaves. In Gan in the Maldives they called it 'Kadjan' seen here being woven. Principle is the same in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). See coconut palm trees off the end of Katuayake's (Negombo) runway in bottom photo. Palm leaves are a natural material not to be ignored when it comes to roofing or walling and are used extensively in Maldives and Sri Lanka.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d832213703.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....67f92c230c.jpg

MPN11, re your comments on the Burma Star, can you tell me the difference between the Burma Star and Pacific Star. My father, who was with HMS Exeter when she sank and a subsequent POW, has what I thought was the Burma Star with Burma clasp. but in the files he left the medal is shown as Pacific Star.
Grateful for your or anyone's help.
Many thanks

Just a quick explanation. Persons qualifying for both the Burma Star and the Pacific Stars were awarded the first star earned with a clasp or bar on the ribbon to denote that qualifying service for the second star had been rendered. The possession of a bar is indicated by a silver rose emblem on the ribbon when it is worn alone. [ H. Taprell Dorling, Ribbons and Medals].

Gannet Fan

Given that HMS Exeter was sunk in the Java Sea between Java and Borneo the location is nearer the Pacific than Burma, which may be an explanation as to why he had the Pacific Star. Map of where your father's ship was sunk here:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=se...=1541605606812

GN, you could earn the Pacific Star (for qualifying time in that region) or the Burma Star (ditto) but not both medals, even though ticking both boxes. The details of duration dates and locations are given by Wiki:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Star

My dad got the Pacific Star awarded (though he never received it as he died in Japan as a POW). I applied for and received it, together with the corresponding 39-45 Star and War Medal, as they had not been claimed until I became NoK.

PS pipped at the post by g3, who rightly says that a bar or rosette is worn on the first medal ribbon or ribbon alone respectively to denote the other Star

BernieC, the collective noun for such roofing, in Borneo at least, was 'Attap'. Wiki redirects that to Nypa, a fruitican also known as the Nipa Palm. Prevalent throughout the Indian and Pacific Ocean areas, its leaves are excellent for thatching uses as Warmtoast says. Wiki, as ever, tells all:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nypa_fruticans

A favourite haunt for Beetles, they came cascading down onto the floor when you all jumped up and down in unison to Bert Kaempfurt's 'Swinging Safari' set at full volume, but that's another story...

On my Jungle Survival Course we were taught to slice the frond along the back of the spine, fold it over face to face and tie it to our lean to rafters. Next one went halfway over until you reached the ridge.

It kept the rain out.

I shouldn't worry, MPN. Ever since Danny concluded his own story re the OP it has been constant thread deviation. That's its charm :ok:

Strange but true! I just felt it had offered potential to disappear into the undergrowth, rather like Danny's Vengeance! :)

Apart from a meticulous Domestic filing system (both paper and electronic) I'm not sure what Mil Skills I carry these days.

Quite apart from the individual trade/branch skills we learned, the basic training we shared in common stays with us, wanted or not! Ironing and neatly putting away, tidying up before calling it a night, planning ahead day by day. Are others afflicted with such retentive habits, or is it just me?

Chugalug,
my wife says she recognises the description !

I've really appreciated everyone's help on this, but I have one final question. There's an entry on my Father-in-Law's Form 543 which says something like "21 Q & IL PARTY - RAF Worli (A Rel.). I'm pretty sure that means he was sent to Worli for a ship back to the UK fpre demob. but what would a "Q & IL PARTY" be? Again, any suggestions welcome! Thanks, Andrew

'A Rel.' ~ Admin Release? Pure guess, of course!

'Q & IL' is an odd one. 'Q' ~ Quartering or Quartermaster? Ahhh ... Quartermaster and Indian Labour?? Loading [or supervising of] stores onto ships for return to UK?

Thanks again MPN11, That's a possibility, I'm just wondering now if it could be 'G & IL', rather than 'Q & IL'. I (think!) I've attached an, image.... what do you think? Cheers, A

Ah, don't seem to be able to upload - user incompetence!!

15 Squadron RAF in World War One
 

Sorry if this is not strictly related to main discussion on this thread but I thought someone here may be able to help. As well as my father being a Lanc Pilot in WW2, my mother's father joined the RCAF in March 1918 shortly before the RAF was established. I have his service record but am struggling to get more details about 15 Squadron's activities in the final months of the war and afterwards in 1919, when my grandfather was stationed in France at the age of 18.

Also in terms of his own record, his trade is given as Wrlss Op Lnr 18 A 55 (not sure what the Lnr 18 A 55 bit means?). Attached are the movements listed on his record but all handwritten. The only initials I understand are BEF - the rest is a mystery to me. Can anyone point me to sources of help a) for 15 Squadron's first world war activity and b) for understanding the service record abbreviations? I also have a photo of the Squadron taken in France on 1 Dec 1918 which must be of interest to some archive? Very many thanks in advance again and once again apologies for being off-thread.