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  Hungarian Public Security Medals

  By Philip.S · Posted 13 minutes ago

  Steve,   That's absolutely brilliant! Many thanks! yes, you are quite right, I must have got confused between the reverse of the '47, and later versions.   The diagram you attach is superb, I thank you for that as well!   Many thanks,   Philip.S  
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  Townsend Family

  By archie777 · Posted 32 minutes ago

  QSA no bar 868 Pte V. Townsend. Namqlnd T.G.;  1914-15 Star Pte V.R. Townsend. Brands F.S Rfls.;  BWM; AVM (Bil.) A/2ndC/W.O. V.R. Townsend S.A.M.C.C.; WM; ASM 120264 V.R. Townsend;  Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) (Geo.V) C.M. 203 Pte A.C.S. Mjr V.R. Townsend S.A.M.Cyc.Cps.,  O’okiep Cape Copper Company Medal (bronze) impressed: “V. Townsend.”   Victor Robert Townsend was born in Namaqualand on 15 May 1887. He was a just a boy of only 14 years of age when he earned his QSA and Cape Copper Company medals in the defence of O'okiep in 1902.   He must have been one of the youngest recipients of the QSA, and his service may be compared to those boys of the Mafeking Cadet Corps under Baden-Powell in that other famous siege.    He served in the Namaqualand Town Guard in the Boer War. The Town Guard was employed to man the defence works at O'okiep and Nababeep, for many months carrying out piquet, guard, escort and other duties.   For 30 days however, from 4 April 1902 they successfully defended the town against Boer forces under Smuts, van Deventer and Maritz. The war and the siege of O'okiep ended with the Peace of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902. During World War I Victor Townsend served as a Private in Brand's Free State Rifles during the campaign in German South West Africa from 22 October 1914 until 4 July 1915. He subsequently reattested on 31 January1916 for service with the S.A. Motor Cycle Corps in German East Africa.   He was promoted Company Sergeant Major on 5 August 1918 and was released from service 12 February 1919. It would appear that at some time during his service in German East Africa that he was captured and held as a prisoner of war, as a note with his papers reads:   “To O.C. German Forces. Will you be so kind as to give Cpl. Townsend medical treatment, or have him sent into our Forces. You have the name of looking after all prisoners very well. Kind regards.    Why don’t you chuck up the war here as it is only a waste of money and lives; take my tip and chuck it up.” The signature is unknown. It is not known when he was released however his release was most probably due to the fact that the German forces in East Africa had very limited facilities to hold Prisoners of War as captives. He was subsequently awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his noteworthy service in East Africa.    The recommendation for this award which was announced in the London Gazette on 3 June 1919 was made by Major Duncan McMillan, the Officer Commanding the S.A.M.C.C, and reads as follows: “For general good work over 2½ years in the field. His patrol work has been fearless and his information reliable”. This MSM is one of only 308 awarded to South Africans during World War I. Soon after the outbreak of WWII he once again attested at Johannesburg 5 November 1940 for service with the 4th Battalion of 1st Reserve Brigade.   Being much older than the military service age limit of 45 years, he gave his year of birth incorrectly as 1895. For a period he served in the 8th (POW) Battalion at  Zonderwater POW Camp. He was promoted Lance Corporal 26 April 1940, Corporal 15 December 1940, Sergeant 1 August 1941, and Acting C.S.M. 4 November 1941.   He was finally discharged at Pretoria on 19 January 1945 when he was nearly 60 years of age. In civilian life Victor was a farmer, and later a member of the staff of the College of Agriculture at Potchefstroom, and finally a Housemaster at Glen Agricultural College in the Orange Free State from where he retired in 1947. He died at Durban on 27 May 1960.
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  Otani Women’s Association Merit Badges

  By TracA · Posted 51 minutes ago

  Hello No One,   That is magnificent. Thank you for doing that, and thank you for the compliment.   I should figure out how to create an album on GMIC. I believe that others have done so.   All the best,   Tracy
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  South African Police Service Awards

  By archie777 · Posted 1 hour ago

  Hi Megan,    Most of the new SAPS medals are 40mm, but the 100 Year Anniversary is 38mm.   From top suspender to the bottom of the medal, 55mm, but the 100 Year Medal is only 47mm   Regards Archie
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  eBay Fakes

  By Stogieman · Posted 1 hour ago

  Fake repeat clasp, $215. One would think that when the same seller keeps selling the same, rare items over and over that perhaps something is not quite right, but hey, what do I know?