Peachy Carnehan

Hugh, I have no idea what those silk robbons/loops may have been called. I even consulted my copy of the British Dress Regulations for 1900 and it makes no reference to an actual name other than "loops of 2/3 inch black braid" describing similar decorations on the frock coats of the Household Cavalry. As to their possible origin again I am not sure but can assume with soem probilility that theydid have some functional origin at one point in time.

The title of this topic should read: Horace Pitt Kennedy Skipton - Indian Police Service. It seems one can edit the body of a post but not the title once it is posted.

Here is a cabinet photograph from my collection that is also posted on my website. This photograph is inscribed on the reverse simply "Horace Skipton May 89" and identifying this photograph proved to be something of a mystery. I first assumed that he was a member of a rifle battalion but I was unable to find anyone by that name mentioned in the Army Lists serving in either the British or Indian armies for several years either before or after the date on the photograph. As it turns out this man is in all likelihood Horace Pitt Kennedy Skipton who was member of the Indian Police Service from 1883 to 1899. While his uniform does indeed resemble that of a rifle battalion his being a member of the Indian Police Service would explain finding no mention of an officer by this name in the Army Lists. According to the India List, Civil and Military for January 1888 Skipton was Director Superintendent of Police, 5th Class for Bilaspur. After leaving the Indian Police Skipton returned to England and served in several high ranking positions in the clergy. He was the editor of several publications relating to the church and India as well as the author of several books on the same subjects. Skipton was born in 1861 in Warwickshire, the son of Daniel Pitt Kennedy Skipton. He married Jessie Goodwin in 1890 and had a daughter named Gertrude and a son named Gervais. He died on 16 February, 1943.

Here are some scans of the attestation and records papers for 1977 William Thake, 88th Regiment of Foot/ 1st Battalion, The Connaught Rangers. He mustered in 15 December, 1873 at the age of 14, 4 1/2 feet tall with a listed trade of musician so he was a drummer boy literally. He rose through the ranks eventually reaching Canteen Sergeant in 1888. His overseas service included India and South Africa (Zulu War, South Africa Medal with 1877-8-9 clasp) and earned the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (I posted a scan of his LS&GC on the Biritsh Medals section of this forum a few weeks ago. He was discharged for medical reasons (hepatitis) on 5 April 1894 with over 21 years of service under his belt. The 1901 census lists Thake living in Stepney, Middlesex, England with his wife Amy (who is also listed in his papers as with the regiment) and two children - Cyril and Muriel. His occupation is listed as an Inspector of Customs.

Here is the other photograph I mentioned. It is in poor condition but never the less offers a rare glimpse into an obscure subject: Quite obviously a posed photo it shows two memebers of the Nongqai who have just "arrested" what could be a British soldier. He in shirt sleeves and still wears a bayonet on his right hip. The photograph also appears to have been taken on board a large ship.

I have another Boer War vinatge image of two members of the Nongqai "arresting" a Biritsh soldier. They are both dressed as you stated above. My best guess to date regarding my above shown photograph is that it was taken very close to the establishment date of the Nongqai sometime around 1883. This might explain the variation in uniform etc. I believe I have also seen members of this police force wearing blue cloth helmets similar to the British Home Service Helmet.

You found me out! :D

from my collection: Above: A c. 1895 cabinet photograph of a very young member of the Royal Fusiliers, City of London Regiment. Above: a carte de visite of a young bandsman from the rifle volunteers c. 1880. Possibly the Somerset Rifle Volunteers.

This has got to be my favorite tank, if for no other reason than it's incredible wierdness. The "Tsar Tank" from Russia c. 1915. Needless to say the design was not widely adopted by many armies.

I have seen such double cockades referenced at: http://www.germancolonialuniforms.co.uk/

Here are a few German colonial cabinet photos from my collection The first image shows two German privates of the 1st Regiment, Deutche ?stliche Asiatiche Brigade. Both men wear what may be the German medal for the Boxer Rebellion. Both men are armed with the Mauser K-98 rifle. The next image shows what I believe to be a member of one of Imperial Germany's Seebattalions that were roughly equivalent to the United States Marine Corps and the Royal Marines. He appears to be wearing a uniform intended for overseas deployment. The hat with its cloth neck protector would tend to indicate a tropical station. The bold "Auf Wiedersehen!" title on the card mount implies that the photograph was taken just prior to this man shipping out to his overseas posting, possibly the Boxer Rebellion in China (1900). The third image shows a German private was a member of the Kaiser's Schutztruppen for German South-west Africa - Schutztruppe f?r Deutsch S?dwest Afrika. The reverse of the photograph originally had this soldier's full name and address written on it but the photographer pasted his label on top of the pertinent information. All that can be determined is the soldier's last name of Finke and that he may have lived in Wilhelmshaven.

I looked orver the criteria for the Purple Heart and can fine no reason why it could not be awarded to a non-U.S. soldier. It seem that the emphasis is on while a soldier is wounded or killed servinving with U.S. forces against an armed enemey. Here is the section fo the criteria that seems to apply: 3. Criteria: a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force who, while serving with the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded; (1) In any action against an enemy of the United States; (2) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged; (3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; (4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces; (5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force; .... The emphasis is mine but you will notice it never states that a recipient must be a member of the U.S. armed forces but only serving with the U.S. armed forces in combat with an enemy. Looking at the two photos of the Dutch veterans I notice that both are wearing the CIB. This would seem to confirm that they did indeed serve with and as part of U.S. forces even if they were still members of the Netherland's military. Here is the relative section of the Soldier's Medal Criteria: The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy." (Army Regulation 600-8-22). Again the emphasis is mine but the regs are quite clear.

One other small detail. The fake at the beginning of this thread had its wire connecting rings welded or soldered closed. The apparent real ones picutered were left with plain butted ends. Go figure.

I have never understood why they have to have holes drilled through the medal to connect it to the suspender. It makes the whole thing look like a bit of an afterthought. They don't even do this with the Army rifle qualification badges. This makes me feel much the same way as them using plastic on the current Purple Heart instead of the original enamel. Is it to expensive to do it right? What is the sacrifice the men who have earned these medals worth after all?

I don't beleive that it is illegal (in the U.S.) to sell the MOH ribbon or replicas threreof. So I doubt - unless you are the original presentee - to get a replacment ribbon from the U.S. manufacturer. Anyone feel free to correct this if I am worng here. A museum may be able to get such a ribbon but I have a feeling that an overseas organization may find it difficult if not impossible to get the real thing.