Tony

When I was given my great Grandad's boxed BWM I went to clean it. My Grandad said if I do that he'll give me a clip round the ear (I was about 25 years old, he was 82) and take it back. It was never worn as my great Grandad died of an illness he picked up in Rangoon (?) shortly after the war so the original ribbon looks brand new. Tony

My Grandad was an ARP, my mum said they had a small metal ARP sign screwed to the door but I've only ever seen one. Tony

Have you not got a baby you can try that gas mask out on? I suppose that's the rarest cardboard going. Tony

Don't forget your black sausage and funny accent

Hello Glenn, So I wasn't far out with my paymaster guess. The underside is a sort of dark blue I'd say and no piping is present. I picked both of them up (they are pairs) years and years ago on a flea market after I couldn't find anything else I wanted. Don't know why, I just needed to spend my money. Tony

I found my one in the cellar. I bought most of my allied Victory medals when I first started collecting and have found out since then that some have the British ribbon when they shouldn't. I've also found out that my Greek one has a British supension ring which is wrong. My Italian medal appears to have a faded British ribbon which is different to yours and the ebay photo. A few years ago in Belgium I saw a nice one with palm and never bought it, the price worked out to about ?3. Tony

Here are some unofficial awards in various conditions. I don't know much about them or even if the ribbons are correct. Eastern front cross Argonne cross Somme cross Verdun cross Champagne cross Tony

Hello Rick, Can you tell me anything about these? Are they imperial? Are they German? What does the yellow on the one with the black Vs mean? Is the other from the medical corps or pay corps or something completely different? Thanks Tony

Hello Darrell, Do you know if the ribbon is original for the Italian medal? The colours look different than some of the other allied Victory medals. I've got one somewhere, I'd better check the colour. Tony

No Dave, nothing. I think a trip to Kew is necessary only that's about 780km from me. Tony

Yes Dave, they had one which was surrounded by people having their photos taken standing in front of it, by the side of it and behind it. I only wanted to take a photo of the tank on its own but couldn't. Tony

The driver

Another view

Now this is the part of the museum I did enjoy.

This was a small strange looking tank and one of its very large shells.

Hello, I've never been to Bovington but I did visit the German Panzer Musuem in Munster today with my son. I didn't rate it much but my son enjoyed himself which was the reason for going in the first place. Anyway, I took some pics and thought I'd show them to you. Tony

Hello Andy, My main interest is the Great War but I seem to be getting in to Home Front items too. I don't have much room and so only have a few pieces to do with the ARP, a Police tin hat and a couple of other things. None of my stuff looks to be as good as yours. Most Home Front helmets I've seen tend to have a rivet holding the liner in place and a large oval piece of sponge (?) for comfort unlike the nut & bolt with cross type padding for the usual combat helmet. What do your ones have? Post some more pics as soon as you get the chance. Tony

This is my favourite PoW photo, the man seated front left is wearing slippers as is the man standing behind him. Does anyone have an idea if shield shaped badges may have been removed from the uniforms on the two men at the back or if they are just patches covering holes? These men are in PGK 966. What does K stand for? Tony

I?m not sure if this British sergeant is the only PoW in a camp full of Germans or if he?s just got in the picture with German prisoners. The reverse reads: Res. Inf. Regt. 106, 1918 vor Reims. Tony

These Germans all have the lettering PG so I take it they were prisoners of the French. Of the 2 shoulder straps I can see, one has the number 133 and the other has a crown. What sort of a hat is the man standing rear middle wearing? The name Schlaucher is on the reverse. Tony

Here are more British prisoners, the reverse reads: From Arthur x To Miss ML Frankland 227 Caversham Rd. Reading England I'm not sure about the cap badges being worn, does anyone recognise them? Tony

Is it known if Germans were also awarded the stunning quality Turkish made stars or did they prefer to receive an enamelled star back home? Would a Turk have been issued with an enamelled star? Tony

Nice one Darrell, where did you find it? Tony

Rick, Do you know if the oblong tag dates from the 1st or 2nd war? Tony

Hello Rick, Thanks very much for the info and it's nice to see you here. Tony