Tony

I bought these recently and just wanted to show them off a bit even though the half moon is the quality made Turkish type. Was it common for a sailor to receive this award and were they not worn on the right? Tony

Hello Angel, No need for apologies. If you check the 1901 online census you will see that at that time, Percy was a messenger boy for the post office and he was born in Camden Town, Sidney was born in Hornsey and there's also an Edgar Culshaw (3 years younger than Percy and 2 years older than Sidney) who was born in St. Lukes. All three were living in Tottenham in 1901. I think GPO men who volunteered were used as telegraphic workers in the late Victorian period and changed to infantrymen some time before the Great War (all speculation on my part though). Certain units had men from certain trades or who came from a certain part of town e.g. the Paddington Rifles (10th Londons), Finsbury Rifles (11th Londons) or the Civil Service Rifles (15th Londons). Kitchener's Army did the same, I think the idea (I was told this years and years and years ago) was that men who were already friends or had a common background would look after each other better in the field. Khaki is brownish green for me. I think the word is Hindi and means dust. Tony

I'll do the same too Bob.

Hello Angel, I can't tell you anything about the Post Office Rifles but, my great Grandfather was a territorial in the 12th London Regt. which he joined in 1912, he was invalided out in 1916 and in 1917/18 he joined the Labour Corps. My other great Grandfather who served in the 24th Londons was wounded in 1914, I have photos of him in khaki with bandages and hospital blues. In November 1915 he was sent to Alexandria, then India and then Rangoon but there is no record (that I can find) of him ever going to France or Belgium and being wounded. Records are sometimes hard to follow. Sorry I couldn't really help and good luck with your research. Tony

I don?t have more news on Sid but, If anyone is interested in reading about him and what the Sherwoods, in particular the 1/7 went through on the 1st July, there is an enormous amount to read here http://www.derbyshirelads.uwclub.net/ Tony

Jim, Tell some more about the history. What did your grandfather do in WWII? What was his unit in WWI? I'd be interested in hearing Chris' regimental number, my great Grandfather served in Africa (Boer War) and he only had a 3 digit number. I can't be sure he had a different number before WWI though as the last one in the family to see his QSA medal was my Mum when she was little. Tony

Well, not being a native speaker either I'd still agree with Bob, although I might say respect the worker instead of recognise. Christ knows what it was for though, being a socialist worker's party they may just have had them hanging on walls in offices. One of the barracks I used to live in still has three massive iron (?) heads mounted on the front of one of the buildings, a soldier with tin hat flanked by what appears to be 2 metalworkers. Anyone else here know Moss Bank barracks in Bielefeld? Tony

Cheers for that Jim. Tony

Rick/Glenn, Thanks for your help. There are 2 men with medals but they aren't clear at all. As for Nigel, his facial hair was probably at the height of fashion back then. Tony

They can't be seen too well though in the packet.

I have some cigarette holders. Tony

Mike, The ground looks a little sandy. Maybe just to soak up the blood of the wounded. Tony

Hmmm, Does anyone know when the square peak pickelhaube stopped being issued? Very annoying having a stereoview without any information in it. Tony

This one is under the scanner. Tony

Glenn, This is the best I could manage. Done with the camera. Tony

I'll try to do a better scan if I can but if it's post 1889 where do you think they could be? I would have thought they'd all be wearing field grey in the Great War. I don't suppose it helps but that's a lovely gas lamp on the hut. Tony

Thanks very much for that Glenn! I'll pass the link on to Steve. I don't supose your extensive library includes Brit soldiers too does it? Cheers Tony

The Nottingham City Library called the other day to let me know they don?t have anything on Sid in their newspaper archives, no photo, no obituary, nothing. I?ll just have to hunt down his trio and plaque I suppose. I have had invaluable help with the research (I actually haven?t done much at all) and was given some info on the men in the section Sid was in and thought some of you might like to know what happened to them. L. Cpl. Spencer survived the war Pte. Kent died non-combat causes on 11.8.16 Pte. Wilkeson survived the war. There?s no record of him serving in the Sherwood Foresters Poor old Sid was killed in Action on 1.7.16 just before his 19th birthday and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial for the missing Pte. Canadine died of wounds 28.6.16 aged 18 Pte. Davy (Signaller) survived the war Pte. Danby survived the war Pte. Woodford (Bomber); Thomas Cyril Woodford was killed in action on 1.7.16 and is buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery Pte. Holland; Charles Ernest Holland was killed in Action on 1.7.16 and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial for the missing Pte. Stringer (Bomber) survived the war Pte. Keeley (Bomber), Thomas Keeley (Keetley (?) according to Sid's diary) was killed in Action on 1.7.16 and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial for the missing Pte. Imerson (Bomber), no record of Pte Imerson in the Sherwood Foresters can be found Tony

Here's an attempt at a better scan only it looks much better through the stereoviewer. Tony

I was wondering if anyone could have a stab at the year this photo might have been taken. Going by the shape of the pickelhaube on the left, the beard in the middle and the wounded, I?d guess at it being base hospital back in the Franco Prussian war. What do you think? Cheers Tony

Hello, I was reading the local newspaper (Bielefelder General-Anzeiger) from 12th June 1916 and noticed the few lines stating that "Linienschiffsleutnant Banfield" had shot down a sea aeroplane. Banfield isn?t a very German sounding name and a mate of mine in Brighton called Steve Banfield swears blind he isn?t related. This is not so much a research question, more a, why can?t I find him in the 1914-18 Ehrenrangliste? Of course, if anyone has information on Herr Banfield I'd be pleased to hear it. Tony

Yeah a rush try to get the money out of your pocket.

I had a great time at Beltring only there weren't enough British Great War items in my price range, too many dodgy German items (if I can spot them then they must be dodgy) and some real good Home Front gear. A day return was ?16.90 (leaving in the rush hour), well worth the visit I thought and only 45 minutes from Waterloo East. Tony

Wow Heiko, I'm waiting for the next lesson. How many do you have? Tony

Here's something from a book I have. I wouldn't mind having that mini. I didn't realise the bars Belgium, England, Russia and Italy were available although for other awards. Tony