Spasm

Boris Thanks for that - but it doesn't say where the action took place. It says what was awarded and why, but doesn't say where. Or am I missing something too obvious to see.

Boris Yes, I have his medal card, some of his census records, his death notice, both the Edinburgh and London gazettes notices, a few pages from the Forces War Records and his original dog tags. But nothing on where he earned his MC.

Gents 2nd Lt James Middleton Barratt of the Post Office Rifles is entered in the London Gazette on 7 Nov 1918 (pg 13146) and the Edinburgh Gazette on 11 Nov 1918 (pg 4122) as having been awarded the MC: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As acting Adjutant of the battalion his efforts during our advance was unceasing, and he made several personal reconnaissances under very heavy fire, which were productive of valuable results, as a dangerous gap was in consequence filled up in time. Though wounded, he remained at duty until relieved. His gallantry and untiring zeal were conspicuous throughout the operations." Although I have the Battalion's whereabouts and battles that they were involved in, I cannot discover at which action/battle James Barratt was awarded the MC. I assume it was late in the war given the gazette dates. Anyone have any information on James?

Yes, that's what I understand it to mean. In 1914 roughly 400 million people were within the British Empire! According to the 1914 American Geographical Society the world's total population was 1669 millions so the British Empire held nearly a quarter of the people on the earth. Interesting to see how the Society estimated how the populations would grow from 1914 to 1920, I assume the actual growth was somewhat different.

Yep, been to have a look myself as well. The Scared band of Thebes weren't Spartans (seeing as they are of Thebes duh). In fact they were an elite force of 150 pairs of male lovers within the Theben army in the 4th century BC. - I'm so glad there's an internet and I don't have to rely on my brain all of the time.

Posted this as requested from another thread but adds to the discussions on here I think Posted 13 December 2013 - 22:24 Mervyn's post (in the Remembrance thread) got me thinking about parts of the Empire that served. T'tinternet gives the following figures: Regulars in the British Army - 733,514 Recruited from England - 4,006,158 Scotland - 557,618 Wales - 272,924 Ireland - 134,202 India - 1,524,187 Canada - 418,035 Australia - 330,000 New Zealand - 100,471 South Africa - 74,196 West Indies - 16,000 Newfoundland - 10,610 Dominions - 31,000 Giving an overall total of 8,689,467 serving for Britain and Empire (stand and look dreamily off into the distance at this point) Having read on through these numbers I noticed that 956,703 were killed and 2,272,998 wounded. That's 11% and 26% respectively. If, as a rough guess, about half were actually in the front lines (is this a reasonable guess?). Then the percentages would almost double for the fighting men (I assume some back room boys fell down the stairs or had large arty shells fall on them etc). So, am I correct in saying that a soldier serving in a fighting line regiment meant that he had almost a 74% chance of a wound or death. I know a lot of other factors can skew the figures - depended how long the soldier had been serving, what theatres they were in, statistical things etc etc. That's 3 out of every 4 front line troops !!!!!!!!! Is my maths way out? For a front line soldier to have joined in 1914 surviving through to 1918 must have almost been a miracle considering how the odds must stack up. (P.S - Tachel says the figures sound close enough and I may have a bit of a root round, get into a few more details over years and maybe into other nations as well.)

The Sacred Band of Thebes were indeed Spartans and homosexuals, I believe the whole army was formed from married male couples. Led to an even closer regimental belonging I suspect. The film 300 is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel/comic. Frank led the field at both DC and Marvel with his style of drawing as the fans loved it. The film stays pretty close to the novel as it was meant to and not so near history but is a great "popcorn" movie (quoting Chris). Worth watching for the line when the Spartans are warned by Persians that their archers were so numerous that their arrows would block out the sun. Doineces replies "Then we will fight in the shade" from Histories somewhere and put into the film. New one out soon I believe - should have more girls in it from the looks of the trailers. There would be no way that anyone would have dared to appear like the geezer in Chris' photo near to the Corporals let alone the Sergeants where I used to parade. Don't think he would have made it passed the lads anyway. Would've been fun to watch though.

Enjoying this - up to episode 6 today when I should have been getting on with things. Only 20 to go. I'll be an expert by the weekend and able to join the Blackadder thread.

Chip Thanks for that. Looks like he sold it though. I'm glad it wasn't me (for a change). Cheers

I assume this is incorrect then and I need to replace the buckle with a Gott Mit Uns one. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/WW1-German-Bavarian-Cuirassier-Belt-Buckle-Model-1916-Issued-to-Only-1-Brigade-/261234541236

The War Medal 1939-1945 is a British decoration awarded to those who served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Fairly easily available for about a tenner.

Apologies accepted

Hmmm.... and wasn't there a topic not long ago about the US issuing too many medals? The victory medals were issued at the war's end (hence the victory bit) while the British issued medals through the war - Mons star and the 14-15 star (I wonder why no 1916, 1917 or 1918 star? like the French crosses. I assume men serving after 1915 were issued with the 14-15 star - sorry a bit off topic.

Gents Am I correct in saying that the US only issued their victory medal and then added clasps for campaigns. Is there no equivalent to the British trio of War medal, campaign star and victory medal.

Ah, the daisy bb gun....lots of US comics in SA when I was a kid. I remember wistfully looking at those adverts of boxes that contained a million soldiers, tanks and ships - everything to start your own full scale war. X-ray specs and grow a monkey. Was a bit surprised when I got home and remembered that Dennis the Menace really had black hair has a dog called Gnasher and was a proper little hellraiser. All the usual Marvel and DC Silver Surfer, X-Men, Fantastic Four, etc etc but I also remember those comics that retold classical stories that had the really good artwork

Cor, impressive - what a great idea. Can't help you with any voiceovers though my French and German accents are rubbish. My "Bonjour" is the same as Vinny Jones' one

#7 - "Dry clean only" Good job that info was on there, I was just about to put mine in the washing machine

Looks like he was in a rush, getting his knickers all tangled up in his belt

Fantastic Was surprised when the owner popped up later on in the story. I thought the restorer was the owner. Was it a restoration of love or do you think he was paid to restore the whole thing. It looked like he restored it all by himself. A great restoration and a super great aircraft. Aren't warbirds just the most beautiful things.

Like this

Well done Gents. A great set of entries, I enjoyed every one of them. And congratulations to the winners.

Chip Thanks very much. S'funny how one gets dragged into all sorts of baloney spouted by militaria sellers. Crushed, I am, crushed.

Gents Am I correct in saying that this is a Heavy Brigade Bavarian Cuirassier Belt Buckle due to the "IN TREUE FEST" being in a block style lettering rather than the more normal Bavarian roman lettering? The leather tab is stamped "KLEINHEINZ 1916 MUNCHEN" I think I've had this displayed wrongly for ages in a case with an infantry man's Military Pass, medals, certificates and butcher bayonet from Hamburg. Should his be a "GOTT MIT UNS" buckle? Thanks in advance chaps

Oooops bullsed that up. Here's the second picture of the escort outside Bristol Assizes in 1971. The County Courts replaced these in 1972 so the old Assizes is now a posh hotel for Shermans.

They are called the Lord Mayor's Mace Escort - seein as they all carry a large silver mace - ye olde tradition that goes back hundreds of years. The Escort was formed as protection to the Mayor of Bristol (I think other cities and towns in England have similar traditions). Originally it was a civil post with the 8 escorts carrying wooden staves. 4 escorts for the mayor and 4 for his deputy. The escorts surrounded the mayor and deputy to keep anyone at least an arm's length and tip of the staff away. The escort duties were handed over to constables on the formation of the City's police force - Avon and Somerset Police - don't know when but probably more than 10 years ago. The escort is under the command of a Sergeant at the Mace who also oversaw the annual "Court of Pie Poudre". An ancient court that dealt with common thieves and debtors. It was abolished in Queen Victoria's reign as the hanging drawing and quartering of someone who hadn't paid his rent was seen as a tad severe. The wooden staves were replaced by the 8 silver maces in 1722 and are said to be irreplaceable and worth around the 40 grand mark (don't know if that's each or for the whole lot) - Mervyn is having two. The deputies' 4 maces are an inch shorter than the mayor's - around 30 inches long. Obviously you can get a bit closer to the deputy before you get a very thick ear. Here's a couple of the escort on the early 1970s The escort wear Victorian style uniforms, white gloves, wide leather belts with a fitting for an oil lantern and spit and polished boots. British service pattern helmets with silver trim worn in the high slung position - rather than under the chin. Unfortunately I haven't any pictures of the maces themselves as they are locked away when not in use. They do come out to hang on the wall of the chamber when the council is in session to represent the crown. You'll have to wait until next Remembrance Day when I'll ask the escort if I can get within arms reach to take some photos. They are solid silver, about 30" long topped by a deep ornate circular crown and engraved with Bristol City's coat of arms. The maces are never used outside the city's boundary (the escort revert to the long wooden truncheons when attending ceremonies in the sticks - such as Bath and those run down shanty towns). So, expect photos of maces, a plod of old bill, a dented head and a hospital bill next year.