Tony

Sorry but no. The discs are packed away in the cellar and I'm miles away from them, can't even find any pics on the laptop. Tony

Thanks Stephan. I actually bought the tags from the soldier's great grandson in Steinhagen. Heinrich Landwehr survived the war, he died in the early 60s. The family didn't have any photos of him in uniform and told me they found the tags amongst some rubbish in the cellar of the old family home which was only a few km away. Tony

I think you can still pick up the British Army badges for a reasonable price, it'll be those with the prefix RAF, RN, A, C, I, NZ that'll cost a little more. I suppose there are some with SA too. Tony

Any comments are good to hear Ed. Do you know if the Calcutta Mint struck them for other Empire/Commonwealth countries? I would imagine the number was punched shortly before issue. Tony

Paul & Boris, thanks for your comments. I'm not worried about a replaced pin and will now try to find the name of the soldier behind the number. Boris, I don't think I've ever seen an assay mark on a SWB in the past. Thanks again. Tony

Hello all, I picked this SWB up the other day at about half the going rate. I believe it to be a silver dipped original but don't have anything to compare it with, nor do I have my Researchers & Collectors Guide to the Great War. It would be great if anyone can back up my opinion or even comment as to why it isn't good. Thanks Tony

Here are some links showing the tags I have or had in the past as well as a few from other members. The bottom link shows the only pouch (homemade by his wife or girlfriend?) I have, the others are only discs. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8865&hl=id+disc http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=23408&hl= http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=491&hl= Tony

I don't know anything about Boer War uniforms but it struck me that the stitching is very new and clean looking. Just a thought. Tony

Hello and welcome to the forum. I'd have a guess at it being after the war ended as before Normandy they couldn't have know the war would end less than a year later in Europe and 15 months later in Asia. I believe it was awarded for service between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945 so was maybe issued at the end of 45 or even 1946 at the earliest. Tony

No sun here, it's night time and winter (only 24?C during the day) but I do have a slight tan which although off topic, is rather an achievement for an Englishman.

Hello Chris, Never seen one like that before but I'd say you've come to the right conclusion. Would a Frenchman wear the medal with the obverse as the King's head or do you think he'd prefer to show the more attractive reverse side. Tony

Hello Graham, Thanks very much for the info. I am now very confused though. Cheers Tony P.S.: Ernest is not related as far as I know, we just share the same name

Hello and welcome to the forum. An example I have is taken from the army record of a 1st July 1916 casualty. Active service casualty form - reported missing 8th July 1916 Effects form stating he is deceased - 13th November 1917 Belongings form - 28th November 1917 I don't know how long it takes for the paperwork to be completed after confirmation of death is given, but it could be just days or weeks in between. If we assume this record is the norm, we're talking about 16 months missing before confirmation of death. Tony

Could he be an Austrian captured by the Italians? His tunic doesn't look Austrian but something about his trousers and puttees do. Unfortunately I know little to nothing about Austrian and Italian uniforms so I'm really just having a guess. Tony

Transcript of the Battalion Diary, 26th - 31st Aug. 1917 Hargicourt 26/8/17 4.30 am 101 Brigade attacked enemy trenches situate on the high ground known as COLOGNE RIDGE. The objective consisted of the lines of trenches on a front of 2000 yards and to an average depth of 400 yards, the trenches being situate on high ground with observation commanding the HARGICOURT VALLEY running N.E. and the VILLERET VALLEY running S.E.. The 23rd N.F. were detailed in carrying parties and digging parties as follows: A Coy carry for 16th Royal Scots B Coy carry for 10th Lincolns C Coy carry for 11th Suffolks D Coy work under 207th Field Coy. R.E. digging. Remarks: Lt. A. Brandum wounded (at duty) 7 OR killed 1 died of wounds 32 OR wounded 25 OR gassed 1 OR missing 4.30 am STRONG POINTS in the captured system and firing in front of captured trenches. ZERO hour fixed for the attack 4.30 am. Immediately the attack commenced our carrying companies which had during the night been standing to man their respective "dumps" in HARGICOURT followed over NO MANS LAND in the wake of the attack battalions as above mentioned to whom they were responsible that a copious supply of RE material, bombs, ammunition was got forward to their position. In spite of the fact a heavy hostile artillery barrage was put down on NO MANS LAND and on the original BRITISH FRONT line, the carriers did their job with remarkable coolness and gallantry, arriving at the objective and dumping their loads within half an hour of the time attacking troops reached this point. Enemy shelling in the HARGICOURT area was intense throughout the whole of the day, enemy making free use of gas shells. B & A Companies whose refilling bombs were near THE EGG were instructed to evacuate the area by 101 Bde. shift on account of the concentrated enemy shelling in this locality. Casualties were fairly heavy in all Companies with the exception of "B". The latter Company constructed a STRONG POINT in captured system at F.30.C.85.00 other work could not be proceeded with during the hours of daylight in this neighbourhood, hostile M. Guns and snipers from direction of TRIANGLE TRENCH being specially active. Hargicourt 27.8.17 Companies still in same position and engaged on work similar to 26th. From early morning of the 27th throughout the night rain fell incessantly accompanied by a strong wind. Trenches were now in a deplorable condition in places about waist deep in mud, and in many instances carrying parties had to be dug out of this morass. In spite of the very bad conditions carrying was continued during the hours of darkness. Men everywhere were soaked to the skin with no adequate shelter. Hostile shelling not quite so intense, sniping and TM Gun fire active, parties being specially exposed in No mans land. 28th Battalion liberated from carrying, special work under R.E. and moved over K INTERMEDIATE LINE, neighbourhood of COTE WOOD relieving 24/27th N.F. in this area. 29th Battalion still in same position and finishing working and carrying parties 30th As on 29th 31st Battalion took over left sector of 102nd Bde. front night of 31/1st Sept. relieving 20th N.F. (1st Tyneside Scottish) A, D & C Companies found B Company in support. 103 Bde. (9th N.F.) on our left. 21st N.F. (2nd TS) on our right flank. Diary signed by Major (Temporary Major) G. Charlton, Northumberland Fusiliers

Pte. E. Neal Ernest according to the 1901 census Edward according to the medal rolls Ernest according to his scroll 3-8472, Pte. Ernest Neal of the 23rd battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) died of wounds on 27.8.17 and is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery near Peronne on the Somme. The village of Tincourt was a casualty clearing station from May 1917 until the retreat on March 23 1918. Ernest was born in June 1901 at 29 ? Humber Terrace, Ashington, North Seaton in the district of Morpeth, Northumberland and was the only child (in 1901) of Thomas and Margaret Neal. Ernest enlisted at Newcastle-on-Tyne and arrived in France on 15.7.15 at the age of just turned 14 years. He died of wounds two months after his 16th birthday, probably one of the most battle hardened 16 year olds on the front. His wounds may have been received the day before as his unit suffered 32 OR wounded during an attack. He also served in the 9th and 12th battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

Here are the details from Soldiers Died and the CWGC Name: NEAL Initials: E Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Northumberland Fusiliers Unit Text: 12th Bn. Date of Death: 27/08/1917 Service No: 8472 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. E. 17. Cemetery: TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY

I have a 14-15 Star to a member of the 23rd battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish), he died of wounds in August 1917 at the grand old age of 16 years and 2 months. He was 14 years and 1 month when he arrived in France. I did have a photo of his grave which is in Tincourt, France but seem to have deleted it His Star has the prefix 3. Not quite a badge so I hope you don't mind this addition. Tony

Thanks for the confirmation David. I've had it for years and today was the first time I looked at the base. It came from Ypres. Tony

Don't know what it is but it looks nice. Was there ever a suspender attached? I'm just wondering if it was some kind of commemorative coin. Tony

Can anyone tell me what this was when whole? The base is marked RWS, 5cm and 39. Is it a German 5cm round from 1939 or Belgian or French or British. Thanks Tony

That's a very nice badge, I like it and have never seen one before. Can it be compared with something like the Great War Imperial Service badge worn by territorials? E.g. volunteering/signing up for overseas service. Tony

Hello, Can anyone ID this stickpin? The holes look homemade to me, as if it was sewn on at one point. Tony

Where do you find this stuff? Great photos. Did they wear the arm insignia in F/F too?

1971? I never thought I'd ever say someone is lucky to be that old My 14 Star trio + clasp set me back a whole 50 quid (2nd Royal Sussex and my 14 Star trio (ASC) was 37. I bought them about 10 years ago, prices have gone mad since then. Yep, looks good to me too.