| Place | Europe: Western Front |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM04089.003 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Maker |
JC Co Ltd |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Strombos compressed air gas alarm pressure gauge: Australian Corps School, AIF
Description
Brass-cased pressure gauge with painted enamel dial showing increments from zero to 1500 pounds per square inch. The indicator for 1250 is marked with a red line. A needle indicator is mounted low on the dial face; just below this is a maker's mark in the form of an untied knot with a horizontal arrow passing through it. The number 'No 354185' is hand-printed below this. A circular glass plate protects the dial. A brass outlet fixture pipe, with a internal screw exits from the base. This can be attached to the compressed-air tank where the rubber tubing joins to check the air pressure. The nut on this fixture, closest to the dial, is marked with a D and broad arrow symbol.
History / Summary
No specific history is known of this Strombos compressed air gas alarm, apart from its use with the Australian Corps School as a training aid. This training complex was located near Aveluy in the Ancre Valley, France.
Contemporary accounts note that the Strombos compressed air gas alarm had a penetrating sound which could be heard for up to three to four miles (4.8 to 6.5 kilometres). Enough air was held in the cylinder to allow a full minute-long alarm to be sounded. The design of this alarm originated in the United States of America for use on locomotives and ships.