Tony

Unfortunately he can't see any maker stamped on the back of the buttons.

Thanks for the lend lease confirmation Pete. Just need to work out if the Belgian buttons are possibly Brit pre 1945 made or post 1945 issue.

Pete, US made but who for? It looks Brit pattern to me but as said, I'm not knowledgeable when it comes to WWII gear.

Chris, I haven't bought anything Imperial for quite a while however, that's a cracking lot that can make a bloke a little jealous. Its coming from the family that does it for me. I also have an EK with case and card outer box but the name was pencilled and it's a little too faded to make out who he was. Was your grouping local?

No worries mate, give me the address and I’ll tidy up for you. ? It’d be interesting if they are Brit made, if so perhaps for the army after liberation. Still waiting for him to get back to me about anything on the back.

Thanks for the prompt reply Kris. I don't have the coat and didn't look at the back of the buttons either, I'll have to ask. I actually thought the buttons may have been British until searching online. Is there any way of dating the buttons to WWII? Or could they be either 1940s or 1950s?

Hello, This great coat belongs to a mate but as I have very little knowledge about WWII uniforms I'm hoping someone here can help me. Would have been used by the Free Belgians during WWII, the Belgian army in the 1950s or is it just a Brit great coat that someone has sewn Belgian buttons on? I'm assuming the buttons are Belgian. My mate wants to move it on and would like to know exactly what he has before doing so. Thanks for any advice.

Could it also be something to do with ebay india being closed? Apparently reopening this year. https://tamebay.com/2018/12/ebay-india-prepares-re-open-cross-border-selling.html

Not my area either but I'll have a guess and say the difference is possibly an officer has a bronze badge with prongs on the reverse whereas an OR badge is brass with lugs or a slider on the reverse. Here's one being sold as an officer's badge https://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/militaria/badges/listing-1910658691.htm An example with slider here https://picclick.co.uk/Genuine-WW1-Royal-Flying-Corps-RFC-Brass-Cap-381604846273.html

According to the 1939 register, Ronald SJ Rolfe was an apprentice plumber living at 6 Manor Villas, Totland, Isle of Wight. He was born 12/12/20 and living with Ernest J (bricklayer) and Eliza Jane Rolfe (parents?). There was an Ernest James Rolfe (bricklayer), married to Eliza J Rolfe who transferred from the infantry to the Royal Engineers in 1917, his home address was 9 Manor Villas, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight so although he had moved from number 9 to number 6 by 1939, it's probably safe to assume that Ronald SJ Rolfe was born in England. Ernest FJ (Ronald's brother? b 1909) and Hilda Rolfe were living in number 9 Manor Villas in 1939. Edit: just seen the eldest son is Ernest Frederick Frank Rolfe rather than Ernest FJ Rolfe. Ronald Sidney J Rolfe married Dorothy Penfold on the Isle of Wight in 1951 and died on the Isle of Wight in 2003. In 2002 he was living 7 Broadway, Totland Bay with Philip Rolfe which I assume is Ronald's son.

Just a thought, but would the stitching look that bright on a well worn cover?

I think you'll find that bobandfred sell under many names from different locations in the Essex area. Flags, flechettes, camouflaged helmets as well as helmets with insignia being regular.

I've just searched 601437 (1 through to 9) and only got hits for the RA and Essex Regt. Good luck with your research and anything else you turn up.

Thanks, that's a new one for me and good to know.

Here's the entitlement for British forces, it's different for other Commonwealth troops as far as I know: 1080 days (3 years) service in the UK between 3 Sep 1939 and 8 May 1945 1080 days (3 years) service in the Home Guard between 14 May 1940 and 31 Dec 1944 360 days (1 year) non operational service overseas between 3 Sep 1939 and 2 Sep 1945 180 days non operational service in an overseas area deemed to be closely threatened or subject to air attack between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 In more detail here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility#world-war-2-medals I don't think he'd have been the son of the Gnr. GJ Smith as the NOK are the parents rather than a wife. Perhaps a nephew but that's just me thinking out loud.

The WWI group is only missing its memorial plaque so a very nice, almost complete find. According to Soldier Died he served in the ASC (RASC) too but probably before arriving in France.

Just guessing here - could it be for a female soldier?

Has someone sprayed the sheath silver? The knife itself is very similar to the WWII boot knife that my wife's grandfather had but the blade is unmarked. Have a look here, the third post shows your sheath http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/imperial-germany-austro-hungary/wwi-german-occasional-austrian-trench-knife-370751/ I suppose the next question is if you can tell the club is original or not.

Don't forget to have your camera ready and don't break it in the meantime

Mate, I'd leave them but they're yours now so do what you feel is right, so long as you realise what effect over polishing has. Welcome to the forum by the way.

What a numpty I am! I've always wondered what a beer tip (my translation that has only ever made sense to me) was for, and now I know. Thanks for asking the question Simon and thanks for the education Chris

Yes I noticed that in his record but wasn't sure if that was the reason for discharge. Disembarked at Melbourne MU. Non-venereal 8/8/15. I bet he didn't mention it to his future wife.

Are you sure he made it to Gallipoli? His record only shows service in Egypt. Nice trio and photo wherever he served.

Thanks for adding that Steve.

I believe records can be found online up till sometime in the 1920s however, if you're not able to check online and no one here is able to help, then the National Archives is probably the only option. If your grandfather served at a later date, contacting the MOD is the way to go https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel As Owen has mentioned, details will help.