Spasm

This Almost Stops Everything Rusting

Thousand Amps Stuns Enthusiastic Rioter ?

Teaches All Smartarses Elementary Respect ?

If you think that's bad go look at this http://bfbs.com/news...tion-51951.html It was in the Times today. Dutch scrap gypos are using craned claws to rip the ships apart to get to the metal. Almost 1500 lives were lost on these WW1 torpedoed ships and it seems the Dutch police are having trouble stopping them. Anyone gotta boat, I'll bloody stop em :angry:

whispers - no it'll be 18/10- , or eighteen shillings and tenpence it's a long time ago now old boy

Had my estimate for copying the service records for our awardee from the National Archives today - a whole 94 of our new pence - blimey the postage is more than that. What am I gonna get a complimentary slip? :)

Don't know what to say to that. Just sad. I'm so sorry about your mother. Greed, and a large dollop of it, that's all it is. It's difficult to have those conversations, especially with relatives, as is the case here, as they are sometimes very private and it feels like prying. Even though you are trying to help it's a difficult thing to not only raise but also to discuss. British as well, so we find those sort of questions difficult. Remember it's not about what you've got, it's about what you do. The medals will stay with me - forever - until the kids or grandkids have the choice.

Ah, that'll be why then. I've been browsing t'tinternet trying to find badges, insignia etc for the 39th to put together a small display around this medal. It's pretty difficult to find anything that is acurately dated to the peninsular wars. Can anyone help in posting some pictures of badges etc so that I can track down the right ones for the 39th to obtain. Thanks in advance chaps Spaz

Mervyn We're all here. And we're all reading. You carry on mate. Spaz

Paul Thanks for that. Must admit I've been trawling over the National Archives website since seeing your post and have given up - it must be me. The website isn't that user friendly for useless computer people like me. So your information is greatfully received. I'll wait for them to send me the stuff I've ordered. This is the first I've heard of McPherson's Company so have another lead to go looking for. I'll be off to the 39th museum soon where they can do a search in their archive for a donation so this will help. Thanks

Paul Thanks for that. I'm waiting for National Archives to get back to me as I've asked them to copy the "Fuzzy" entries for me. I've never had anything from the National Archives other than medal cards, is it worth getting the "Fussey" entries as well just in case they differ? Just a bit strange that the Medal Roll has Fuzzy with the medal saying Fussey - I would have thought those two would have been the same. Records I have found for him so far from Births Marriages Deaths have listed him as either Fuzzy or Fuzzey but never Fussey. Not surprised though seeing as he was from a small village in Somerset, probably couldn't write so relied on what others heard him say with his thick accent. This is getting quite interesting, I'm gonna catch the medal bug, I can just see it. Held in hand, these old British medals are just fantastic.

Alf If you've got jet lag on Friday try Bermondsey market in Bermondsey Square, it opens at 4am, is an antiques market for the trade but they nearly always have militaria there from the house clearance boys, shuts around lunchtime. On Wednesday and Saturday try the Angel Market at Angel Islington (buy the monopoly card while you're there), the military market is downstairs - don't bother with upstairs, the stuff is all polished, expensive and for tourists. Don't miss Portobello Road market on Saturday, get there for 8am at the flyover end (you'll see what I mean when you get there, or just ask one of the stallholders). Hundreds and hundreds of stalls and worth using the old "list" technique of buying for someone else as long as you know what you are looking at. Most of the stallholders know what they've got and will help someone who asks for it. Watch out for the odd robber though. Another museum worth going to is the Army Museum at Chelsea Barracks, (its north of the river, just in case, due to some taxis refusing to go "south of the river", take no notice, I've moved from there now to the west country with all the pirates) Over the road is the Chelsea Hospital where all the Chelsea Pensioners live. Go have a laugh with them, great old warriors and you can even find the odd Waterloo veteran if you check under the bushes. Have a nice time - Cheers Spaz

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!! I knew it, you're all just way tooooooooooo clever at this. I shouldn't have given any clues. It gets interesting here and I was saving it for later once I knew it all and could show off. I may as well recruit you all then - explain this for me - seeing as you have the rolls (Remember I have the relative under lock and key, you have the expertise):

Thanks for that Ulsterman Good bet - 39th Foot. Not knowing medals I've had quite a fascinating time with this one and it's going to carry on a for a bit till I get the whole story (may be a while but I'll get there and when I do it will be posted here)(and only here). These guys had to wait 30 odd years before these medals were available. And then they had to apply. No applications were accepted from widows, even those who died in the 30 year wait. No wonder less than 200 per regiment. Spaz

Mervyn Looking really closely, even with a lens, I'm pretty sure it hasn't been touched. Admittedly, it hasn't been treated as the family jewels (as it should have) and has taken some knocks, clearly shown in the picture, but it has been rubbing up against two other medals in a little box for at least the last 50 years. And who knows where it's been kept before then. I promise I won't touch it, but the ribbon is a little annoying. It will be paying a visit to the Regiment's museum soon and probably into town to S&D,N&W as well when we next go visiting the Grandkids in London. By the way everyone, just found out yesterday (was a good day yesterday ) that the third instalment in the Grandchildren's fight over my collection is going to be a baby girl - due in January. (Cigar for you innit Chris?) Sorry Little excited, better go have a lay down. Spaz

"The French always complain - if they didn't like it they should have surrendered - as they were supposed to do !" :lol: Nice one :)

Mervyn How great is that - it's the famous or rather infamous 1796LCS and gives us the story that the French made an official complaint about its ruthless efficiency and the terrible wounds it inflicted. I think I'm right in saying that an "official" complaint was never made - it's a sort of early urban myth. But references are made in books - (the 1796LCS) "earned a unique compliment from a French Commander who protested against the fearful wounds it inflicted" - from the book 'The Life of General Le Marchant'. Probably French officers discussing the sword amongst themselves rather than making any complaint to Horseguards. I also think Brian Robson makes some form of reference to the complaint in his book. I'll keep a look out for a scabbard. Spaz

Gents and Gentesses The window wasn't big enough but I've borrowed it (on a sort of permanent basis) She arrived yesterday along with a ten bob note and two WW1 medals. I've had a joyful time proving the provenance and now know that this has been passed from the original awardee through a few generations of blood and married relatives into my sweaty palm. Isn't it just a wonderful thing? I've only put up the one straight on picture of the young Victoria and battle clasps (I know, I know, 5 instead of 7 - I plead insanity). I'll be thinking up arty ones for the competition and until then ya'll will have to wait for the name and regiment If you look closely you can see that the ribbon is much too wide for the hanger and clasps and has been folded - what's that all about? Has the original been replaced? has it stretched? got wet? should I change it? should I even play with it? Pleased as punch Spaz

Five, oh no, make that 6 - she's showing some interest (wonders will never cease!)

Mervyn PM sent. I'm going to try to get back there soon to wipe the place of my fingerprints. Cheers Spaz

Hugh I would be glad to do that as well now that it seems as though it's a serious piece of metal. I'll be letting her know next time I go on just how serious. Spaz

Yep, one of those :)

Yep, the name is stamped around the rim. I wasn't sure what I was holding. But I hope I will next time I go. Cheers spaz

Gents Had a bit of a surprise today. It's a bit of a story but hang in as I need some help. One of my other half's relatives is taking herself of to a home for the elderly as she's alone now and can't look after herself. We visited today and during the visit she says to me "oh there's my (now deceased) husband's dad's medals in the box there have a look". So inside are three medals - now I'm no medal expert hence this post - there are two WW1, an allied victory medal and british war medal and another that I didn't know that well but it's (I think) a General Service Medal with a young Victoria on the obverse. This one has seven (yes count them) seven clasps. I can only remember Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Toulouse but there were seven. I believe this is a serious piece of metal and although she wasn't about to part with it (I did try), I would like to let her know just what she may have and what it may be worth. Can you guys help? I've no pictures but I suppose I could get them if needed when we visit next. Thanks in advance Spaz This post has been promoted to an article

EBJ Yep agreed, worth all of the tuppence Spaz