Chris Boonzaier

Some guys in Masks...

Some unused Feldpost envelopes and a small perforated booklet of Blank Feldpost cards, a couple of notes including a captured Frencg 1 Franc Armee one...

I am not sure.... the way the stone is done, it could be the wrong name of a town in Germany?

Luxemburg maybe?

That is a fine shot!!

Another NCO

Another good NCO shot

This is a nixe X-masy kinda looking piece?

A nice pic

Here is an intersting Postcard, the stamp on the back is from "Ausbildungskurs am Granat-Werfer Lager Lechfeld"

I did not realise there were differences in the size of the Cyphers etc.. Does anyone know why that is? The bigger boards are standard size, the thinner ones about 2 thirds as wide as regular boards....

Hi, A link is usually no problem? Try put it in again?

That of course is a major difference to the EKs.... I was unaware of that. So obviously not made for recipients.

Hi, it is a subjective thing IMHO. It is sure that many vets post 1918 at some stage bought awards. If A guy bought an EK1 in 1922 made by a company to sell to veterans, then for me that has a collectors value. If the same company made a 1914 EK in 1990... I would consider it a collectors copy/Fake... Now if they had made it in 1955.... then it could be the one ot the other. If we assume S+L made 1957 Knights crosses for veterans, then they are (IMHO) legitimate copies for the people who were awarded the KC, but at some stage the worm turned, and they were making just for collectors... and somewhere in between they were making for recipients AND collectors.... Its a rather ambiguous thing IMHO....

Hi Nelson, I think we are approaching the answer. I assumed you were talking about Laper or Collar badges for the RAF uniform. Badges like the ones yyou show did of course exist and could be bought by soldiers, but they are not a uniform item, rather for civilian clothes. Best Chris

Just recieved this nice 80th Division one...

I am guessing T.C. Coy is Training Center base Company....? Formed at Liverpool June 1940. Moved to Pheasy Farm, Birmingham July 1941. Moved to Oldham March 1942. Moved to Prestatyn July 1943. This Centre controlled a large school for potential NCOs and for providing Cooks for Corps Units at home and overseas. In addition during the heavy air raids on Liverpool the Centre gave continuous help in rescue and demolition work, during which operations nearly 50 Pioneers lost their lives. The average strength of the staff of this Centre during that period was 350. Throughout the whole period 12 Holding and Training Unit was commanded by Lt Col H Greenwood VC DSO OBE MC. In February 1946 the Centre moved from Prestatyn to Cuddington, Nr Northwich, Cheshire and became the Corps Depot. Its strength at that time was 6,937 which was administered by an establishment intended for a ceiling of 2,700 all ranks. In 1947 the Depot moved to Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs and in December of that year the Training Wing, some 1,200 strong, separated from the Depot and moved to Blackmore Camp, Malvern and became the Training Centre. The strength of the Training Camp fluctuated from 1500 to 500 and in October 1948 was 1000 strong. In 1949 the Training Centre moved to Saighton Camp, Chester. About 1800 recurits were under training at this time. In November the Depot moved from Stourport to Wrexham. On 31 July 1950 the Training Centre at Saighton Camp closed and was integrated with the Depot at Wrexham which became the RPC Depot and Training Centre. The Centre received intakes of up to 200 each fortnight. There were 4 Training Companies and a Holding Company plus the HQ. In addition the HQ Supplementary Reserve (later AER) was accommodated in the same camp and all discharges and transfers to SR&AER from the Corps were effected here.

The German POWs after the campaign were rather displeased about conditions as well... it was not easy for either side.... Wi,, you Gerber group, Gerber was officer at the POW camp in Aus after his time in GEA

I think the single front plates can range from 400-800, depending on condition and model?

I am guessing the difference in the two pips means he was promoted and the tailor made new ones ?

I never saw a serving soldier have to buy a medal in France, it was always given by the unit... but as Veteran says... not by the state. So... where does the unit get the awards from then? I have always assumed from the "Caisse de Section" or "caisse Compagnie"... every month the guys have to give a sum of money to the Compagnie funds, and section funds (2 seperate funds)... these are used to fund things for the compagnie or secton that are not covered by the state. Mot really anything Military, but things like gifts for the guys leaving, X-Mas gifts for the guys etc....

Thanks to Dave's tip... I have a face to Rehm.....

Depends on the price I Guess

It is not really just for machine gunners... In fact, I think it would be pretty difficult to use one with an MG...more of a sentry thing if I remember correctly.... They dont cost the world, and i would avoid it if plates were missing, they will not be easy to replace. Best Chris

Are we talking about the regular breast plate with 3 lower elements?