Tony

Hello, A mate has just bought a box of Brit ribbons and among them are various foreign ribbons, is the one pictured German? I was thinking PLM but have only seem them with ties, this one has a buckle device. Any help is much appreciated. Tony

That's a cracker of a group, do you have the paperwork for his WWII medals?. I didn't know the RAF commissioned men of his age either. Tony

John, Don't know how I ever missed this thread but am glad I've found it and look forward to reading more in the future. Tony

Andy, who’d have thought it’d be so difficult to find British General Officer ranks when searching online. I’ve found a site for some Canadian ranks http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/ranks/generals.htm As the photo was obviously taken (going by the WWI trio being worn) in the 1920s/30s the rank system would have been similar if not the same throughout the Commonwealth/Empire. The breast decoration does look like the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George doesn't it. See just over half way down this page https://www.dixonsmedals.co.uk/single-medals-c-2.html I suppose the photo could have been taken anywhere in countries like Hong Kong, India Australia, NZ or even the Caribbean. Sorry I can’t answer your question but I’m sure someone here can. Tony

Similar situations of life saving attempts and disregard for one's own life probably went on day in and day out among Commonwealth troops, possibly making it something not that special back in the war whereas today with far fewer men in the forces, they may have received some kind of recognition. Just my thoughts. Tony

My wife’s great grandfather was captured in September 1915 (annoyingly I can't find his POW card on the ICRC site) and apparently received similar treatment, in a letter home he said some guards are good to us, some aren’t. Even after his release some of his possessions were about to be confiscated by an officer but another officer stopped it from happening. You’d best keep your eyes peeled for that MM, BWM and VM and start saving for when/if they do turn up. Tony

Rob mate no, I can't stay focused so just pick up what takes my fancy after getting the ok from the wife, and it's 99% WWI. I know that ancestry shows many more men in their POW list but it's also just name, rank and POW camp so no info about evaders as the men listed obviously stayed there. Tony

Chet, have you got your photos mixed up? These RNZAF wings have the King's crown, as do the SAAF wings. I wonder and am only guessing if the wear and tear can be caused by equipment being worn? Gas mask straps, something under the flying jacket, life jacket? All just guesses.

Chet mate, they look South African to me, this site shows them on a WWII Belgian uniform worn by a pilot who got his wings with the SAAF http://www.be4046.eu/RAF1.htm

Going by Frank Butter’s escapades it’s a wonder the rest of the BEF didn’t get back, he makes it sound so easy. What’s pictured with the R Crossley engraving? I did some digging and have found the MI9 records online, they’re on Find My Past for anyone who’s a member, I’m not but then I only have 2 WWII Brit groups. Tony

Ahhhh thanks Andy. I imagine being Prussian means research is at a dead end.

I meant to show this a while ago but forgot, Chris' wanted ad reminded me. I'm assuming the B is for Bavaria? Is there any way of researching a GR Jaeger? The only way I know of checking what may have happened to him are the Verlustlisten and POW records, but the spelling mistakes in the POW records can make searching there a nightmare no matter which nationality. Tony

Rob, These are fantastic groups, I wish the information available today was available when I started collecting. The service record for Herbert Mitchell will hopefully show the reason for his entitlement to the Italy Star. Where do you find MI9 debriefs? Looking forward to seeing more of your collection. Tony

Are these people who always sell repros as original or do they have some dodgy stuff amongst the good? I've dealt with Peter401 from Sydney and will never do so again. Tony

So it's a proper mystery then. The Eichel has different meanings in German, I think we'll opt for it being an acorn on some eyelets Chris, I used a printers loupe and a cheap Windows phone that according to all reports has the worst phone camera out there.

Found my loupe and took some photos. Mine is also stamped we but there's something else that looks like a K on its side or perhaps it's just a dig on the eyelet?

Andy mate, thanks for finding the info in Der Weltkampf um Ehre und Recht. After coming across an OS map http://digitalarchive.mcmaster.ca/islandora/object/macrepo%3A4191/-/collection which I’ve marked by showing British and German positions and then checking it against a map on Paul Reed’s site http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/loos_maps.htm showing the British positions, it looks like the 2/Gordon Highlanders and 8/Royal Berkshire Regt. were opposite the rough position of IR 139 although by the day they arrived in the area, their position may have been near the 2nd ring I've marked??? Unfortunately there’s no mention of the Saxons in 8/Royal Berks. Regt. diary or in the diary of their relief (1/Gloucesters at 11.10pm on 28/9/15). The 2/Gordon’s diary isn’t online. The German units opposite the Gordon’s and Berkshire regiment came under heavy artillery and SAA which must have caused many casualties as an expected counter attack never came. I still need to check the diaries for the units either side of the Gordon's and Berkshire Regt. Tony

Aha, that's good to hear and brings me a step closer. Is the book you mention just one book or part of a set? It's another to keep an eye out for.

I think they (or at least an element of IR 139) were mentioned as being put into action with a Bavarian unit in Vol. 9 but not has a whole unit which is why I'm also thinking the bulk of 139 IR stayed a few km north at Lille. I'll have to dig out Vol. 9 again and go through it. As well as finding out which allied units were opposite Lille. On another note and nothing the do with IR 139, do you know this site http://tsamo.germandocsinrussia.org/de/nodes/2-deutsche-beuteakten-zum-ersten-weltkrieg-im-zentralarchiv-des-verteidigungsministeriums-der-russischen-foderation-bestand-500-findbuch-12519

Thanks Andy. I came across a similar map the other day and believe they were somewhere between the 1st and 7th Brit Divisions, looking at the map you posted and assuming the info I found online about the 139th being at Hulluch is correct, they were perhaps more opposite the left of 1st Div. rather than the right of 7th Div. A pity all German war diaries aren't available. I'll keep my fingers crossed Glenn or as it's a German book perhaps I should try pressing my thumbs Tony

Thanks very much Glenn. I wonder if St. Loup Terrier is one of those towns/villages in France that doesn’t have a unique name. The only place I could find was quite a long way from Loos. The soldier died in Feldlazarett 7 XIX AK and is buried in Lambersart, Lille. However, I have no idea where he was originally buried or when the cemetery in Lambersart started being used for German burials. Tony

Nope but thanks for asking, I've never seen one but then I don't get out much It's reached a silly price although anything above 0 euros would be a silly price for it.

Never seen one of these before, are they new to the market? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/291623487738?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D291623487738%26_rdc%3D1

Stefan, I didn't know that and just checked. Have a look at post 15 here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=144980 It says 1931-36 issue. Special Constables were men who for whatever reason couldn't join the army and so became Specials, allowing regular policemen to join up and fight. Tony The King's letter might explain better https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31539/page/11242 I like his full title

Paul, it's George V on the medal. He was King from 1910 until the late 30s so it'll be either for service during WWI or the man in question served 9 years as a Special after WWI but before WWII. The lack of a 1914-1918 clasp indicates he qualified after the Armistice. Tony