Nick

The Kings Dragoon Guards may pip that claim... In the 3rd Afghan War in 1919 at Dakka I believe there was also a cavalry charge by horsed British Cavalry

Barney Nice intro to Witmann. Just wait until our Wittmann expert Foo Fighter joins in the fray.

Can anyone identify this vehicle ?

I am sure I remember seeing a photo of Himmler wearing the 1st Class anyone confirm if he got one ? I am sure I also read somewhere that the olympic medals were prohibited to be worn by party members at parades and party rallies ? As far as your examples go Raz excellent photo's and really nice awards, it is nice to see them without damage to the enamel.

Cheers Raz Yes that repro seems to pop up its ugly head time and time again flame Whilst we are on the subject here is a nice Imperial/Third Reich group to a fireman.

Yes I think I am right in saying that due to this tragic decimation of whole communities, such units were not created again, with recruitment especially in WW2 being mixed regionally over large catchments areas.

Look forward to seeing the pictures.

Any ideas on what and who this was awarded to. I think it says Honour the Worker who defends the land.

Did not Otto Schultz become GeneralAdmiral in the 1930's ? Barney being a psuedo Essex man myself, I love heaaring these stories of local men so keep uyp the good work !

Barney Thanks for that excellent insight into the work you are doing on the "Hammers". It just reinforces the horrendous futility of WW1 with ordinary men doing courageous acts in appaling circumstances. The days spent planning and preparing for this raid combined with the loss of life for an operation which brought about no real tactical advantage over the enemy (other than a blow to their moral and one POW for intelligence purposes) by todays standards is scandalous. The work you are doing is a real tribute to these brave men and I look forward to the finished book.

On doing a bit more digging came across this info may be of interest ? Roll of Honour As for badges (medals are more my thing) I would take restrikes to be reproduction badges that although made from the original die will generally be worth a fraction of the real thing. However in the medal world especially Third Reich medals good early restrikes using original dies (one maker was producing many variants in the 50's using original war time dies) are becoming more collectable and collectors items in their own right.

The Cambridgeshire Regiment archive is at the County Record Office Shire Hall, Castle Hill Cambridge (01223 717281). I believe the Cambridgshire Regiment was a TF unit that was independent and not affiliated to a regular regiment. The strength was 4 Battalions.

Yes one of the 634 VC's awarded in WW1. It makes it all the more poignant when there is a story behind the name and makes you realise the sacrifice that these men made. It also brings home the tragedy that many families suffered with multiple casualties from the same family. Class also seems not to have been a discriminator in this war, with privileged young officers dying in their droves along side their working class men.

one more

Another shot

I have a fascination with old military portrait photo's spanning from Victorian era to WW2. I recently picked this photo up and although it is not what I usaully collect I was very interested by the content of this photo. The soldiers are obvioulsy mainly injured British/Commonwealth Soldiers but the mode of dress and the headgear worn by some of th esoldiers looks distinctly foreign. Also is the soldier in the background wearing a pikelhaube ? POWs do you think ? Nick

Barney Great tale and excellent research ! Having lived in Epping in my youth I know exactly the places you are talking about and it really brings the events to life for me !! Thanks for that great contribution !

Just to clarify matters a little. There were two types of War Reserve Officer during WW2. 1st War Reserve Officers as said were Police Pensioners recalled to full time paid service. Many were a bit past it and the numbers did dwindle over the years of the war due to ill health or the fact they were simply too old despite best intentions. There were also Special Constables and Full time War Reserve Constables. The War Reserve Constable (not to be confused with the 1st War Reserve of Pensioners who were retired police officers) were essentially auxiliary full time paid volunteers. They were usually ill trained, although many Special Constables who were better trained, did join as full time WRCs. At the end of the war most WRCs left the police and returned to their previous employment, although a few did stay on in the police and there were still a few WRCs serving in the early 1950's. I would say your man was a long serving Special Constable hence the early George V Special Constable LS medal. At the outbreak of war it looks like he either left the Special Constabulary or he may have not served with the SC for a number of years and joined as a full time paid police auxiliary (War Reserve Constable). Like the majority of WRCs he left the police towards the end of the war and probably went back to his former employment or more likely into retirement.

Amazing as this sounds there probably some truth in this tale. Many communities living in the remote regions of the world have little care or interest in the outside world. But after 400 years of British Interest including an Empire you would have thought that perhaps word would have got around !

Barney Interesting subject. I will keep my eyes and ears open and let you know if I find anything when trawling the military fairs of Essex. What cap badge did they wear, the normal Essex Regt I presume ? Nick Chairman

Nelson lost the sight in his right eye at the bombardment of Calvi in 1794

German Uniforms Insignia & Equipment 1918-1923 by Charles Woolley is a pretty good pictorial reference book although not cheap! A cheaper option well written and researched although in my opinion there is no doubting the authors viewpoint on the subject is "The Birth of the Nazis: How the Freikorps blazed a trail for Hitler" by Nigel Jones. This has a good reference section listing many of the Freikorps (although listing all of them is nigh on impossible).

I think I may have found a good reference for this if anyone is interested at all ?

I had a query from some one wanting to know more about the Mau Mau Emergency in Kenya in the 50's. Anyone help ? Thanks

Likewise I went many years ago. I remember it was ok, but I felt it was a bit false, very restored and it was pretty strict as to where you could go and what you could see. Things may have changed although. Nick Chairman