What happened to B & M Greenlites matches ?

**123rover50** · 13th March 2016, 06:47 AM

Chatting with a mate last night about our times as Ringers on Yelvertoft Station back in the 60,s.
While mustering, we used to carry boxes of Greenlites around and flick lighted matches into the spinifex clumps. This would result in fresh growth later and also we could see where the others were by the trail of spotfire smoke.
Later I was 10 yrs in PNG and during that time Greenlites seem to have disappeared.
They were a good match, better than the useless stuff now where the heads disintegrate at the first sign of moisture.

Keith

**Bearman** · 13th March 2016, 07:56 AM

I know what you are saying Keith. They were a good match. I think disposable lighters were the death of them. I used to pass through Yelvertoft back in the early 70's - rough country. Lived in Mt.Isa then and regularly travelled to Gregory Downs and Punjaub on fishing trips.

**JDNSW** · 13th March 2016, 08:23 AM

I think Bearman is right - disposable lighters killed most matches, including Greenlites.

John

**123rover50** · 13th March 2016, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Bearman

I know what you are saying Keith. They were a good match. I think disposable lighters were the death of them. I used to pass through Yelvertoft back in the early 70's - rough country. Lived in Mt.Isa then and regularly travelled to Gregory Downs and Punjaub on fishing trips.

Good times then.
John House was the manager for the Beef Cattle Company.
The cowman gardener was an old bloke called Wason Byers . Could he tell some stories of the early days.
A couple of the ringers were Herb and George Thorley from the Isa . They were a couple of lads.
Did you come across them?

**V8Ian** · 13th March 2016, 09:42 AM

Coghlans Waterproof Matches 4 Pack Natural | Anaconda

**Mick_Marsh** · 13th March 2016, 10:25 AM

This it what ya want.

**Bushie** · 13th March 2016, 10:27 AM

And our desire for ever cheaper matches, saw the rest come in from China, Philippines or the like.

Same as the wind/waterproof matches I used to get from work.

Martyn

**ramblingboy42** · 13th March 2016, 11:04 AM

When I was soldier there was a pack of greenlights in every ration pack.

It was embarrassing how many boxes you'd accumulate....like hexamine tablets.....you'd just light and burn them every time you were doing nothing to get rid of them

So any recent soldiers on here? What is in ration packs now? Do you still use single man ration packs?

**p38arover** · 13th March 2016, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Coghlans Waterproof Matches 4 Pack Natural | Anaconda

I bought some of them but they'd fall apart when attempting to strike them and they'd never light.

I bought some of these lighters a while back, fill them with lighter fluid and strike the flint. (I tried a Zippo which I was given at a conference but every time I'd want to use it, being a non-smoker, the lighter fluid had evaparated).

**B.S.F.** · 13th March 2016, 11:39 AM

Match boxes used to be made of folded veneer,not card board.____I,ve had these in my emergency kit for the past 15 years. Made in Hungary , for a company in Canada and sold in Australia. No wonder they were so expensive that I don't want to use them. I bought them because Greenlights were no longer available.
.W.

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