Tony

Hello, I’ve just bought a French flag, it’s cotton, grubby has no markings and I was wondering if anyone can put a date (decade) to it going by the thin brass plate pointy bit pictured below? Is it something that’s still in use today or are plastic pointy bits now used to complement the polyester flags? Thanks Tony

Yes a great find! Isn't this his service record? http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?discoveryCustomSearch=true&_fn=stephen&_ln=dunk&_no=&_sdb=&_edb=&_ser=ADM+159&_col=online&_dt=RM&image1.x=46&image1.y=17 I imagine you have a copy of the LSGC sheet, if not let me know. A few years ago I bought an issue certificate for the Silver War Badge to a member of the Royal Marines, about a year ago his medals turned up on ebay and I won them, now I need to find his SWB. It's good being able to reunite items separated who knows how long ago. Tony

The artwork on both sides is excellent but I really do like the writing on the peak. Tony

And a couple of others. Tony

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Last year I asked if anyone could point me in the right direction regarding the restoration of a relic French Helmet, member Aurora explained the best way to de-rust without losing the remaining paint and I was all set to give it a go but then I saw some of Spasm’s amazing art work and decided to ask if he’d paint the helmet for me. After choosing a subject I sent the helmet to Steve who set about doing his stuff, below are some before and after photos and I’m sure you’ll all agree the finished helmet looks fantastic. The Adrian can also been seen on Steve’s website along with his other work, well worth a look if anyone hasn’t been there yet http://skywolf.co.uk/ Tony

I'd do the same if I had a gas mask. Do you have any British box respirators? How do you empty them if the filter hasn't already rotted away? No you're not crazy, just a bit different tony

Yeah that's probably the frame number, if you can find the manufacturer's name you might be able to date it. The handle bars and dynamo might have the name of the company that made it, it's a shame the manufacturer's emblem is missing from the front of the frame and the front mudguard. I still use my bike but will talk to someone about having the frame sandblasted and painted, I might try the line painting myself and I already have copies or original transfers to replace the faded hand painted(?) ones. Tony

Interesting. Weren't the standard German rounds slightly larger that the .303? Would he have had to scrounge his rounds from the British or did the Germans have a bullet that fitted? Tony

The Norwegians and Dutch both used the MKII. I don't recognise the insignia but the few British helmets I've seen used in these two countries usually had some kind of insignia on them. Tony

I'd try to restore it if it was mine. I have 3 bikes, a modern one and 2 from the 1940s. Your one looks very much like one of mine which was made by Stricker in Bielefeld but then many bikes look similar. Any markings on it? Tony

The same street in Ypres - 1913, 1915 and 1995. Tony

Oh yes you're correct, looks like I need glasses. Did the Belgian or Israeli army use anything similar?

It looks like Patt. 37 to me. http://www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/1937/1937_belts.html Tony

And this is the nearest memorial to where I live today, about 7km down the road. Tony

The same memorial in 1921 I believe. Tony

Here's a photo of a memorial where I grew up. Tony

Hello Kev, There is a Pte. J Neish on page D/A 1057 of the SWB list although the MIC of Thomas ML Neish does indeed say he can also be found on the same page however, he isn't. J Neish has the number 53585 and was also in the RS Fusiliers. 53585 Pte. J. Neish RS Fusiliers had the badge number B214751, enlisted in Feb. 1916 and was discharged in May 1919. Good luck researching that medal, I think cross checking with the medal roll is the way to go. Oh, I couldn't find the MIC for 53585 J Neish even though the SWB page states he served overseas. Did you find the other 5 in Romania too? By the way it's Army service Corps Tony

This site shows a few different kinds of practise grenades, mentions S B & Co but doen't say anything about the maker http://www.millsgrenades.co.uk/No5mk1grenades2.htm Tony

Aren't these Plasfort helmets? I think they were either sold to civilians or possibly worn by electricians or something like that. Tony

Probably a cunning Belgian spy. Tony

That's a tough one however, this site may give a clue to the units they served in http://www.corpsofmilitarypolice.org/tools/armynumber?query=7667054 Service records are now available but you have to apply in writing, pay money and wait far too long in my opinion before receiving the record http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html My own service record took a whole year from application to receiving it but perhaps I'm impatient. Tony

Yes where? It's at times like this I wished I had my books but from memory I think they were in the Thiepval area. Is it yours Chris? Tony

Brian's eyes are obviously better than mine too! Being dated Sept. 1942 matches with the factory in Orange opening in the 40s. Here's a very expensive example with similar markings http://www.lawranceordnance.com/the_q_store/bayonets/0313ap07004.php Tony

I've just checked one of my books, it doesn't mention a unit stamp with the letter C alone, but it does say the Cheshires unit stamp was CH. I also had a look online and found the Orange factory in NSW didn't start manufacturing until the 1940s although my book mentions OA is a Great War rifle and bayonet marking. Tony