Hi all I wonder if one of you kind folks could clarify something for me. I note in the various War Establishments provided by Trux (Mike), that each unit had a "Sanitary Dutyman", usually based at the Units HQ (e.g. Company / Squadron HQ). There were also a number of "Water Dutymen", whose role appears to be rather more obvious as units were equipped with water bowsers and I presume that the "Water Dutymen" were responsible for their upkeep and to ensure sufficient water was available to/for the unit. Could anyone shed light on duties of the "Sanitary Dutyman"? The only references I can find relate to RAMC ward orderlies (bedpans etc!!). Were they responsible for e.g. checking feet for blisters, advising on personal hygiene etc? Or were they responsible for siting, digging in and maintaining field latrines or similar. Regards Steve W ETA - Reason for question was that my Dad was sent on a "Sanitary Duties" course at the Army School of Hygiene, Keogh Barracks, prior to being posted to a 51 (H) Division RE Field Company, a month after attending the course.
The Military run some interesting courses, invariably linked to empirics. A friend once told me that on joining his Regiment as a young officer, he found that he had been nominated for a Unit Rodent Control Officer’s course. His nomination was a jape, but the course existed for JNCOs. But in answer to your questions. I don’t know what its WW2 equivalent says, but I would presume it was not much different to its Field Service Pocket Book 1914 counterpart; at Chapter 7, Section 40, SANITATION: 5. The field sanitation of units is under regimental control. The unit provides 1 NCO and men, according to the strength of the unit, for sanitary duties (see FS Manual for the various arms). These men supervise the cookhouses, ablution places, latrines &c and act as sanitary police. (*This was pre-Army Catering Corps, when cooks were appointed unit soldiers). The RAMC provide a NCO and men as laid down in (Wartime Establishment) for water duties. These men receive special instruction ......... and will be employed on duties concerned with the purification of water .... On a LofC, a sanitary squad is provided for each permanent post or railhead ..... The following come from an earlier chapter: Following on from paragraph 8 above (Sanitary Policeman) I wonder if it qualified as ‘work of an objectionable nature’ thereby open for consideration of a rum ration? Those present will remember latrine ‘solid’ waste being burned in the field in Saudi Arabia/Iraq/Kuwait. More recently in Afghanistan, latrines still invariably had separated D&V sections for those so unfortunately afflicted at both ends. The 1914 Pocket Book weighed 6.5 ounces. It says so in its Field Kit tables, where it is the first on the list of officers’ other (after worn uniform scaling) personal effects.
Thanks Quarterfinal. I've read something similar on t'internet. I'm not to sure about any additional pay but dad seemed to have earned / been granted a lot of leave, privilege or other!! Incidentally, when he was a Scout (and Cub leader) he often burnt tins etc. and buried them when camping; now I'm wondering where he got that idea from and into that routine......ummm Steve
Still had one on the radar unit I worked on down the Falkland Islands in 84. Poor chap was from the RAF Admin trade, which has long since gone. We nicknamed him "Racasan Dan" after the toilet fluid he used when recharging the chemical loos. He did get a bonus in his pay for doing this. They also helped Chef on dishes and and other similar chores/duties. Got flush loos working about a month after I got there. Gus
In a unit (e.g. battalion) this was a duty role rather than a fixed appointment however dealt with differently in different units. Good hygiene was a game changer for C20th warfare so wastreated seriously in theory - formal training courses etc. In practice 'shit house duty' was seen as a chore and even used as a punishment. Alternatively a few sources refer to it being the natural fixed role for soldiers who are a challenge to the army education system - I think George MacDonal-Fraser's post war humorous stories feature a Sanitryman.
