This is one of the most awful state stoves which I am not going to renovate any more than to maintain functionality. The reason for this is the historical importance of the assemblage of which it is part. It is a rare historical artefact. The assemblage is the full Compact Outfit of which the stove is the central component, along with all its original ancillaries and parts. Primus 210 and 96 stove Outfits, put together by the British Primus agents Condrup, are well known for having been bought for or by British military officers for personal use during WW1, although how much actual use they got is sometimes questionable. This is a rare example in that not only can it be directly linked to a specific individual, but that individual is a Private, Ernest Jones of the Army Service Corps, service number M2/033472. And in this case there is no doubt whatsoever that it was worked very hard indeed! More about Private Jones later. But first the stove and the Outfit as it is: The fuel tins are in poor condition, especially the smaller one which has several soldered patches around the base. Other very prominent indicators of sustained use in tough conditions are the wear to the pump tube cap and the make-shift replacement of a lost foot: The Army Service Corps main remit was transport. The moving of anything and everything from supply bases to the front lines, so probably one of only a very few situations in which a soldier of the rank of Private could look after and use an Outfit like this. No doubt it was in great demand amongst his unit mates too. Ernest Jones service record has not survived, but his medal entitlement records have. From these it is possible to work out that he must have been one of the thousands of Kitchener Volunteers in August 1914, and we can see precisely when, after completing his training he was sent to France in January 1915, entering 'theatre' on January 15th. Thereafter he served in France for the whole term of the war, survived, and was finally discharged back to civilian life 19th July 1919. Where he came from we do not know. Where he went back to and what became of him after the war we do not know. But his trusty stove Outfit somehow survived the decades intact. Now it has been treated to new seals and washers, the only original ones not changed were the cork NRV pip and pump leather both of which sprang back to life after a good oil soak. And with that minimal intervention it is back to being fired up once more:
Wonderful job honoring the service the stove has seen and the man who carried thru that service and depended on it.
An excellent example! The nameplate with the name and number, is excellent historical evidence. It deserves a place in a museum display case. Compliments for the investigation and launch of this historic (still working) find.
@igh371 That really does appear to have been "through the wars" (both!) - great resurrection, and to know the provenance as well... Rodger
I know this is not a new thread, but I am just now seeing it. You've made an amazing find, and properly decided to leave it pretty much unchanged. If it were mine, I would feel weighted down by the responsibility of caring for it, and would probably look for a suitable museum or other home for it. But you clearly understand its historical value and are doing right by it, for which I salute you.
What a great story! Thank you for sharing this with us. The stove is not much to look at, but the story behind it makes it a beauty!
