Tony

That's a cracker of a group, do you have the paperwork for his WWII medals?. I didn't know the RAF commissioned men of his age either.

Tony

John,

Don't know how I ever missed this thread but am glad I've found it and look forward to reading more in the future.

Tony

Similar situations of life saving attempts and disregard for one's own life probably went on day in and day out among Commonwealth troops, possibly making it something not that special back in the war whereas today with far fewer men in the forces, they may have received some kind of recognition. Just my thoughts.

Tony

Rob mate no, I can't stay focused so just pick up what takes my fancy after getting the ok from the wife, and it's 99% WWI. I know that ancestry shows many more men in their POW list but it's also just name, rank and POW camp so no info about evaders as the men listed obviously stayed there.

Tony

Chet, have you got your photos mixed up?

These RNZAF wings have the King's crown, as do the SAAF wings. I wonder and am only guessing if the wear and tear can be caused by equipment being worn? Gas mask straps, something under the flying jacket, life jacket? All just guesses.

Chet mate, they look South African to me, this site shows them on a WWII Belgian uniform worn by a pilot who got his wings with the SAAF http://www.be4046.eu/RAF1.htm

Ahhhh thanks Andy.

I imagine being Prussian means research is at a dead end.

I meant to show this a while ago but forgot, Chris' wanted ad reminded me. I'm assuming the B is for Bavaria?

Rob,

These are fantastic groups, I wish the information available today was available when I started collecting. The service record for Herbert Mitchell will hopefully show the reason for his entitlement to the Italy Star.

Where do you find MI9 debriefs?

Looking forward to seeing more of your collection.

Tony

Are these people who always sell repros as original or do they have some dodgy stuff amongst the good?

I've dealt with Peter401 from Sydney and will never do so again.

Tony

1 hour ago, ixhs said:

There are some We pieces which are also stamped with a sign which looks like a "Eichel".

So it's a proper mystery then. The Eichel has different meanings in German, I think we'll opt for it being an acorn on some eyelets

1 hour ago, Chris Boonzaier said:

Hi Tony,

how did you get such nice photos??

Chris, I used a printers loupe and a cheap Windows phone that according to all reports has the worst phone camera out there.

Found my loupe and took some photos.

Mine is also stamped we but there's something else that looks like a K on its side or perhaps it's just a dig on the eyelet?

2 minutes ago, The Prussian said:

The book "Der Weltkampf um Ehre und Recht" writes, that the 21. and 24.Inf.Div. tried to come to the village of Loos by passing the road Vermelles - Hulluch and country-lane Haisnes - Loos. That entry was from sept., 26.

As british enemies were mentioned the 3rd cavalry-division and 7th infantry-division.

Aha, that's good to hear and brings me a step closer. Is the book you mention just one book or part of a set? It's another to keep an eye out for.

I think they (or at least an element of IR 139) were mentioned as being put into action with a Bavarian unit in Vol. 9 but not has a whole unit which is why I'm also thinking the bulk of 139 IR stayed a few km north at Lille. I'll have to dig out Vol. 9 again and go through it. As well as finding out which allied units were opposite Lille.

On another note and nothing the do with IR 139, do you know this site http://tsamo.germandocsinrussia.org/de/nodes/2-deutsche-beuteakten-zum-ersten-weltkrieg-im-zentralarchiv-des-verteidigungsministeriums-der-russischen-foderation-bestand-500-findbuch-12519

Thanks Andy. I came across a similar map the other day and believe they were somewhere between the 1st and 7th Brit Divisions, looking at the map you posted and assuming the info I found online about the 139th being at Hulluch is correct, they were perhaps more opposite the left of 1st Div. rather than the right of 7th Div.

A pity all German war diaries aren't available.

I'll keep my fingers crossed Glenn or as it's a German book perhaps I should try pressing my thumbs

Tony

Nope but thanks for asking, I've never seen one but then I don't get out much

It's reached a silly price although anything above 0 euros would be a silly price for it.

Never seen one of these before, are they new to the market? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/291623487738?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D291623487738%26_rdc%3D1

Stefan, I didn't know that and just checked. Have a look at post 15 here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=144980 It says 1931-36 issue.

Special Constables were men who for whatever reason couldn't join the army and so became Specials, allowing regular policemen to join up and fight.

Tony

31 minutes ago, Uffz. Rohleder said:

But i dont realy unterstand what those special constabulary man are for - are they police man?

 

Greetings 

Stefan 

The King's letter might explain better https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31539/page/11242

I like his full title

Paul, it's George V on the medal. He was King from 1910 until the late 30s so it'll be either for service during WWI or the man in question served 9 years as a Special after WWI but before WWII. The lack of a 1914-1918 clasp indicates he qualified after the Armistice.

Tony

Stefan, you have a mini 1914 Star trio with clasp, usually known as a Mons bar. The clasp was earned (by memory) by men who were within range of enemy fire from 5/8/14 to 26/11/14. The soldier didn't have to have been in action at Mons to earn it and I believe the full size bar had to be applied for by men who survived the war, whereas those to casualties were automatically posted to the next of kin.

The quality isn't much cop but I suppose it depended on how much cash an ex soldier had spare and wanted to spend on his minis. A pic of a set I have to an officer is below, this soldier obviously had more money to spend.

Tony

Forgot to mention, this link explains a little about the medals http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/themedals.html