Rayjin

Getting old ain't that bad at the moment, just had my first son (born 9 days ago) at the age of 52, just rocking him to sleep right now as I'm writing this. Enjoying feeding him and changing his nappies (except for when you think you've cleaned him up and about to put on the clean nappy ..................... and he pee's all over me! BOY! for a little fella, he can't half get some power behind it ) Ah well, off to put him down for a few hours and catch some sleep myself

There is some evidence that this is one of the transport roads to the trenches and that the road had to be cleared for the passage of supplies. I have read somewhere that artillerymen would pick up russian cannon balls of the right calibre and reuse them (sort of returning the compliment you might say).

From studying both photo's side by side, the one with the cannon balls on the road was taken first. There are four area's I have circled in red where cannon balls are missing in the second photo, but appear in the first when balls are on the road. I have also circled in green a missing rock in second picture. (and that's just in the foreground) If the second photo had been taken first, then all those that I have marked would still be there in the first photo.

1905 Postmans Helmet, Shako type. Worn by British Postmen between 1896 and 1932, in dark blue with red piping around top, with GPO monogram on front. One was for sale at http://stampauctionn...g/zg4195163.cfm estimated at £80 - £120 in December 2011

Always read the blogs, can't write, just can't put words to paper, but I do love reading. I had about 2,500 books up until a year ago, but got shot of a load for lack of room, but the numbers seem to be creeping up again. Look forward to all the blogs no matter what the subject.

Have a look at :- http://www.lancs.ac.uk/staff/hartleyi/acediscussion it might help with the Air Crew Europe Star

It's not Michael Collins, but the eyes remind me of Harry Boland the senior IRA emissary sent to the USA in June 1919. He was an elected member of Dail Eireann , a clever politician and close friend of IRA Director of Intelligence Michael Collins.

Looking at his past transactions, maybe the same bunker on Vimy Ridge where ....... apparently ........ a lot of stuff he sells was found !! :wacky:

My other half is pretty good, if she knows I'm bidding on something she leaves me alone. She doesn't understand the fascination with it (different generation) but she says its my hobby and it doesn't hurt anyone. (as long as I give her a cuddle .............. so I don't get hurt !!!!!)

Acquired this ribbon bar (for less than I thought I would get it for) I have done some research and have a couple of possibles! Would like your opinions on it

The "Fouled Anchor" looks more like a flag with what looks like a quiver of arrows crossing it to me. Maybe the design on the flag could give a clue to the maker or owner!! (If it's clear enough)

Civilian Technical Corps link http://home.comcast.net/~w4fok/brown.ctc.paper.htm

Done some more research(a lot zzzzzz), and it looks like an obsolete Massachusetts State Guard Ribbon ... so ... looks like he was in the State Guard, then moved to Canada sometime before 1914, then enlisted in the C.E.F (Thanks for the pointer Chris) Steve

I have just got this Canadian ribbon bar ........ but ...... what is the ribbon on the left, I've looked everywhere, my medal books, the internet, I've gone through every ribbon chart of every country I can think of but can't find a match. Does anyone recognise it!

Urine has been used for centuries ... Cleaning In pre-industrial use as a cleaning fluid due to its ammonia content. Munitions Urine has been used in the manufacture of gunpowder. Urine, a nitrogen source, was used to moisten straw or other organic material, which was kept moist and allowed to rot for several months to over a year. The resulting salts were washed from the heap with water, which was evaporated to allow collection of crude saltpeter crystals, that were usually refined before being used in making gunpowder Tanning Tanners soaked animal skins in urine to remove hair fibers—a necessary step in the preparation of leather. Textiles Urine has often been used as a mordant to help prepare textiles, especially wool, for dyeing. In Scotland, the process of "walking" (stretching) the tweed is preceded by soaking in urine. As for the steel studs, once you've got them clean of any rust, why not coat them in a thin layer of Vaseline. I do this with all my tools (saws, chisels etc) if I'm not going to use them for a while, I clean them off, and rub on some vaseline with a paper towel. Keeps any moisture away from the metal so prevents rusting. Steve

Appendix of:- COMMITTEE ON THE GRANT OF HONOURS DECORATIONS AND MEDALS IN TIME OF WAR http://www.northeast...ars_defence.htm Chevrons for War Service 16. Following are the arrangements relating to the continuance of the service qualification for Chevrons for war service. In the Navy, Army, Air Force and Merchant Navy, anywhere, full time service after the 8th May, 1945, the date of the end of active hostilities in Europe and up to the end of active hostilities in the Pacific will continue to be a qualification for Chevrons. In Civil Defence services Chevrons will no longer be earned after the 8th May, 1945, except in the Pacific area. There, such service in territories subjected to aerial bombardment or closely threatened will continue to qualify for Chevrons. Part-time military service in the Pacific, but not elsewhere, will continue to be reckoned towards the award of Chevrons until the end of active hostilities in the Pacific area. In some instances, part-time service in the Forces or Civil Defence service will cease to qualify before the 8th May, 1945. This has been the case in, for instance, the United Kingdom Home Guard. APPENDIX The following civilian services in the United Kingdom eligible for Chevrons for war service are among the categories eligible for the Defence Medal : (a) Civil Defence services established by a Government Department or Local Authority: - Wardens Service (including Shelter Wardens). Rescue Service (including former First-Aid Party Service). Decontamination Service. Report and Control Service. Messenger Service. Ambulance Service (including Sitting Case Cars). First-Aid Service (including First-Aid Posts and Points, Public Cleansing Centres, Mobile Cleansing Units and the Nursing Service for public air-raid shelters). (b) Local Authority Civil Defence Services: - Rest Centre Service. Emergency Food Service (including Queen's Messenger Convoy Service). Canteen Service. Emergency Information Service. Mortuary Service. (c )National Fire Service (including service in a local authority Fire Brigade or the Auxiliary Fire Service prior to nationalisation). (d) Police, Royal Marine Police Special Reserve, Admiralty Civil Police, War Department Constabulary, Air Ministry Constabulary, Railway and Dock Police. (e) American Ambulance, Great Britain. (f) Civil Air Transport. (g) Civil Defence Reserve, Kent County Civil Defence Mobile Reserve and West Sussex County Civil Defence Mobile Reserve. (h) Civil Nursing Reserve. (i) Civilian Technical Corps. (j) Coast Guard. (k) Fire Guards performing duties under the local authorities, or at Government or business premises. (l) Lighthouse keepers serving under the three Lighthouse authorities, and keepers of Light-Vessels under those authorities, who do not qualify for the 1939-45 Star. (m) Nurses in hospitals for which Government Departments or local authorities are responsible, or in the recognised Voluntary hospitals. (n) Port of London Authority River Emergency Service. Clyde River Patrol. (o) Royal Observer Corps. (p) Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence. (Members of the W.V.S. may qualify if (a) they are enrolled in an eligible local authority Civil Defence Service, (b) they perform duties analogous to those of one of the eligible local authority Civil Defence Services and the section of the W.V.S. to which they belong is one which functions operationally during or immediately after enemy attacks.)

Keep them coming Mervyn, I'm thinking of printing a few of these off to give mother an idea and see if she'll write down her experiences and memories of Plymouth during the war. I can remember a lot of what she has told me but it's not the same as hearing it in her own words.

You've got two faithful readers, my mother grew up in Plymouth and went through the blitz there. Her father sent her and her mother to relatives in Fowey, where they were strafed by a messershmidt returning from a raid while they were walking in a field. Her mother took them back to Plymouth as she said the bombing wasn't personally aimed at them, whereas the strafing was !!! I've tried to get her to write everything down that she can remember, and about her early life, she starts, but then lets it slip over time. But I keep trying. Keep them coming Mervyn.

Yep, those are the ones. Have thought about the Imperial Service badges as well. Steve

Nice set ........ and I'm jealous. Been slowly collecting these myself, have a SA, RN, NZ and B versions, did have one with no prefix, but was contacted by the persons grandson who saw it after I had bought it (it came with documentation) so I returned the badge to the family. I still watch out for these, and for the Canadian enameled Services Rendered at the Front badge which are hard to find. Steve

Hope this is better Mervyn Tried other ways, but eventually ended up putting it in the gallery then linking to that. Steve

Thanks Mike, I was yoyo-ing between OBE and MSM (you can always hope). Was wondering whether to get an original rose to replace the one that was lost, what do you think!! Steve

Received this ribbon bar this morning, and was pleasantly surprised when I looked closely at it, what I initially thought was a 1914-15 Star ribbon, looks like a 1914 Star, you can just see the impression of the Rose and some stitches where it was held (sadly no rose came with it). So now the work begins, who earned these medals. Who got the 1914 Star and bar, a Mention in dispatches, and received an OBE, and probably survived the war? Only 378,000 1914 Star recipients to start with to whittle it down Steve