Greetings JB.
Due no doubt to my age , I had forgotten that in fact had been an Author in the Past .It all happened on my last posting prior to discharge when I was posted to Tech Branch REME at Woolwich .
Our function there was to produce Repair Manuals for New Vehicles being introduced into the Service and we were referred to as Technical Authors. I had one more move after this ,to MEXE, (Military Experimental Establishment) at Christchurch, still Tech Branch ,where we produced Ease of Maintenance reports on Equipment that was being considered for use by the Army. Again we were Technical Authors.
It is quite possible that some of the readers of this page have unknowing read one of these Manual and said what a lot of rubbish, not knowing who was the Author. When you joined the Tech Branch in those days ,and before you were let loose on writing a Manual ,it was emphasised that we should assume you were writing for idiots. This meant we had to ensure every detail was recorded.
I didnt witness it, but having finished a Manual an Author sent it to our Major for Checking . it came back annotated why is this vehicle on the road with its Master Cylinder in a vice. Yes he had forgotten to say remove from the Vice.
Happy Days
John