coldstream

The Silver War Badge records show one Harry Fraser with the Rank of Driver in the 15 Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery with Regimental number 58897. He is shown as enlisting on 04/1/15 and date of discharge as 24/7/15 being issued Badge Number B2699. Reason for discharge given as 'Sickness, permanently unfit for any form of military service.' He is also shown as aged 35. Could be your Man, I'll see what else I can find on him. Regards Simon

Bilco, Thanks for the link, interesting and appears answer the original question posed in this thread! Regards Simon.

Whilst this may be a made up badge I have to say that I have never come across a Sweetheart badge with a two lug fixing as shown, can't imagine any Sweetheart being to keen to make the required holes in his or hers favorite clothing item to wear this, Which leaves the question is this a badge none of us have seen before or has it been made to deceive or is at indeed some form of Sweetheart or unofficial item? Regards Simon. A trawl on the net shows a number of these badges and the link below shows one recently sold on EBAY http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW1-BRITISH-ROYAL-NAVAL-AIR-SERVICE-CAP-BADGE-RNAS-FLYING-CORPS-/281613014652?nma=true&si=362CHRgxRkJgJ5OHyXFMbSGNmmI%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Regards Simon

Peter, Certainly bears a resemblance to a Berkshire Yeomanry badge but a very strange metal and stone configuration and also there appears to be no method of affixing this item to anything! The stone reminds me of those used in Scottish edged weapon hilts but this is of no help when trying to identify this piece. What size is the badge please? Regards Simon.

Can we see the back of this item please?

Hello there, I doubt that this is a tunic to the Coldstream Guards, the Garter star on the collar is like nothing I have seen before and there should be embroidered rose emblems on the shoulder straps. The skirt ornamentation is similar and it obviously should have Coldstream buttons. I'm wondering if this is in fact a tunic with connections to the Canadian Guards Regiments? Regards Simon

Thanks Chris, still looking for those scans, will be in touch! Simon

Chris. Nice photo, excuse my ignorance but what is the badge/emblem worn on the left breast of his tunic? Cheers Simon

Thanks for showing this Mervyn, way beyond my wallet but lovely to see, particularly the pith style helmets. Regards Simon

Glenn Nice to hear from you, thought you may have known him. Never seen that backing before, when you first recieved yours was it the red backing or like this one? Cheers Simon (H)

Chris No, not made for showing at home. The Guards along with some other Regiments have their medals court mounted, ie on a stiff board backed ribbon so as not to swing about. Normally the backing would be red to match the colour of the Guards tunic when engaged on home service public duties. I have no idea why the backing cloth is green but this medal does appear to have been professionally tailored. Value anywhere from £50 to £70 imho. Regards Simon

Hello Kornel Looks like an interesting book, just bought a copy on UK ebay, there is still one copy available if any one else wants one. Regards Simon

Chris Your medal is court mounted as per Household Division medals however they usually have a red backing cloth for wear with the tunic of the Home Service uniform. Looks professionally tailored but I don't remember seeing that backing cloth in use. Perhaps Glenn J may have seen similar or even know of the recipient with his longer service dates than me!!! Regards Simon

Very nice, could we see the inside please. Regards Simon

Robin As Peter say's does not appear to be British, where do you keep turning these mysterious skulls up from? Simon

Superb, thanks for showing us and making me insanely jealous!!! Simon

Robin, British skulls not stylish enough for you now ????Suppose the cloth black one's are more interesting! Simon

Robin Have been reading through some older threads and found this one again........any new additions since 2011!!!!!!!!!!! Simon

Come on the Naxos, your turn!!!!!!! Simon

Surrey Police have a small museum which is located at Mount Browne, Police Headquarters in Guildford, Surrey, Surely this is the obvious place for the smaller County Forces as running costs are kept to a minimum. When I joined an ex Officer also housed his collection there which was a bonus. I was impressed when I visited Snow Hill in the City on a mutual aid attachment for the VE day celebrations, C of L tunics and helmets all over the place. A museum for the Met in London is long overdue in my opinion. Simon.

Chris. I'm excited, keep your chin up and keep tempting us! Simon

Paul A well worn example of a Guardsmans tunic to the Coldstream Guards, as we said in your message it is difficult to accurately date such items due to the general style and insignia remaining virtually the same however there are a number of reasons why I would say that this example does have some age:- Obviously the brass buttons predate the staybite buttons now in use. The shape of the epaulettes is slightly different from current issue, they appear to be broader at the base with a tapered shape towards the point.( though this could just be the angle of the photograph) The cloth used in manufacture also appears to be of a coarser type with less nap than the modern issue. Its a pity we have no tailors label but I would imagine this to be from the inter war or just post WW2 period, perhaps Glenn J could shed some light on this tunic? Regards Simon.

Paul The khaki coloured beret you have purports to be for a Non commissioned rank of the Scots Guards and dates from the mid 80s up to the present day. A few things that worry me regarding this beret are the extremely shoddy way that the blue, red, blue badge backing has been sewn onto the beret, no Guards Regiment would allow this standard of tailoring, The Scots Guards cap badge does not show wear in line with the wear on the inside of the beret which I know does not mean much but could indicate that this has been put together for a quick sale. Most issued berets would also have maker and size stamps on the inside but if this a privately purchased example that may well not be the case. Guardsman would often want a beret with a leather band as opposed to a cloth one and so this could be a commercially made beret bought for that reason. Hope this helps and best regards Simon

Cant tell from the scan if there is anything above the chevrons, a crown would indicate a Colour Sergeant. The pascal Lamb collar badges obviously associates him with the County of Surrey. Does the back of the card have any studio details? Possibly a Volunteer Rifle Regiment from Surrey. Regards Simon.

Mike, A stunning display, you know how to make people jealous!!! I would imagine that collecting examples with all the bars would be a very difficult and expensive task now? Regards Simon.