coldstream

Thanks for this, a well researched and informative story, Epsom was taken over by Surrey Police when the Boundary Changes occurred and was the neighbouring Division to the one in which I worked. It has always had a lively reputation and always surprised me that the Custody area was so small especially bearing in mind the crowds the Derby brings to the Town. It is also famous for the Riot by Canadian Soldiers resulting in the death of Station Sergeant Green. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsom_Riot Simon

Appear to be armed with the French Chauchat light machine gun, need to find out which, if any, other Armies used these and start narrowing down the uniform details. Simon

Wanted to keep this going so here is a mixed group with Army, Luftwaffe, SA, RAD and civilians with party badges. A close up of the various uniforms. Simon

Here is the entry in full from the above book. RABY, HENRY JAMES - Commander Royal Navy. Was born 26 September 1827, the son of the late Arthur Turnour Raby Esq of Llanelly, County Carmarthen. He was educated at Sherborne School and entered the Royal Navy in 1842 as a first class volunteer, HMS Monarch. In 1848 he was rated Mate and two years later was commissioned as Lieutenant. In this grade he served for some time in the Wasp on the west coast of Africa and on the outbreak of the war with Russia in 1854 was sent to the Black Sea. There he landed with the Naval Brigade and served in the trenches from 23 October 1854 until 16 September 1855. As second in command of a ladder party on the Redan he performed the act of gallantry which won him the Victoria Cross on its institution and which is thus described in the London Gazette 24 February 1857. 'Henry James Raby Commander, John Taylor Captain of the Forecastle, Henry Curtis Boatswains Mate, Royal Navy. On 18 June 1855 immediately after the assault on Sevastopol , a soldier of the 57th Regiment who had been shot through both legs was observed sitting up and calling for assistance. Climbing over the breastwork of the advanced sap, Commander Raby and the two Seamen proceeded upwards of seventy yards across the open space to the salient angle of the Redan and in spite of the heavy fire that was still continuing, succeeded in conveying the wounded Soldier to a place of safety at the imminent risk of their own lives.' For his service in the trenches he was, in September 1855, promoted to be Commander and received the ribbon of the Legion D'Honour, the Crimean, Sardinian and Turkish medals with the clasps for Sebastopol and Inkerman and the Order of the Medijie 5th Class. Commander Raby was the first Officer to be decorated by Queen Victoria at the first presentation when the new decoration was inaugurated in Hyde Park 26 June 1857. His next appointment was to the command of the Alecto on the West Coast of Africa in 1859-62 in which time he commanded the boats of the squadron at the capture of Fort Nova when he was wounded and for this and other services in the suppression of the slave trade was repeatedly mentioned in despatches. He received his promotion to the rank of Captain in November 1862 for his services on the West Coast. In 1863 Captain Raby married Judith, daughter of the late Colonel Watkin Forester of Holt Manor, Trowbridge. He next commanded the Adventure on the China Station form 1868 to 1871. In 1877 he retired from the active list and his subsequent step was gained on retirement in 1878. He had in 1875 been made a CB (Military) and was granted a good service pension. Admiral Raby spent his later days in Southsea where he took a great interest in the Royal Seaman and Marines Orphanage, the Royal Sailors Home and in various other philanthropic institutions in the town. He died on the morning of 13 February 1907 at his residence, 8 Clarence Parade, Southsea. Hope this helps and best regards Simon

Alex, This is Henry James Raby, the exact same image is shown in the book, 'The VC and DSO' volume 1, page 9 by Creach and Humphries. His medal group as worn above is in the Lord Ashcroft collection as per this link http://www.lordashcroftmedals.com/collection/henry-james-raby-vc/ Regards Simon

Having looked again, the light coloured leggings or gaiters being worn remind me of Italian Colonial type Uniforms. May be way off the mark but it could be a meeting of Austrians and Italians somewhere along their mutual Border, Simon

Just an observation but are they definitely Police Officers, they look a little over equipped and over armed to my mind. Regards Simon

Having looked at similar MIC entries on the British Medal Forum site, one theory is that Gunner Tomlins may have lost his Medal at some stage, it was subsequently found by a third party and then returned to the War Office, who having no way of locating him scrapped the medal. An interesting theory and one which could tie in with the date of 1936 shown. Simon

Having checked the relevant Medal Roll for your Man, it confirms the information on his MIC and states 'BW Medal Rtd CRSB85 15/6/36 NW/5/38275 scrapped' Basically I believe it means that the BWM was returned and scrapped 15/6/36! Now we just need to know why. Enquiries continuing and will get back to you if I find anything. Simon

Have you seen The Beast, a film about Soviet Armour in Afghanistan............again factually error strewn but a good watch, again begs the question raised! Simon

Thanks Tony, could very well relate to an individual then. Simon

Tony Difficult to say. Are the numbers 110 impressed or raised? I wouldn't have thought a badge with such a potentially small circulation would have individual number plaques produced and added but more likely a stamping system in use if the number refers to an individual. Could of course just be a Manufacturers badge model number or something similar. Does anyone know if this badge appears in Kipling and Kings badge book? I don't have a copy I'm afraid. Simon

Robert, Will see what else I can dig up and let you know if I find anything. Simon

Komtur, Sadly I know nothing about Greek Medals but just wanted to comment on what appears to me to be a nice looking bar and miniature group. Very Germanic looking to my eyes and very well presented. Regards Simon.

Tony, Nice couple of badges you have shown there. The smaller of the two is quite common and I normally see them with a coloured enamel like finish. ( have one somewhere but can't lay my hands on it) The second badge would appear to me to be a beret badge for the Association judging by the lugs on the reverse. Not sure on the number 110, perhaps an ex Gunner may be able to enlighten us. All the best Simon.

Robert, Your Man is shown on the Ancestry UK file, British Army Lists 1882 - 1962 and listed as Captain D.P. Somerville, The Royal Scots. Note only one M in the Surname which may assist with other searches you are conducting. I see in your text above you have him the 1966 List so this File may contain other information. Unfortunately the record is a Fold 3 Image on Ancestry which I do not have access to, perhaps someone else on the Forum who does have access may be able to assist further. Regards Simon

Ahh yes Andy, But if it were Coldstream it would be 6 years older........................it was six years after us you were formed I believe! All good Blue Red Blue fun for those of you who are not of the Household Division! Regards Simon.

Tommy, Difficult to expand further on what I have said, sorry, And I see that someone using your email address buys and sells the odd bit of Militaria and Medals on the Shpock Boot Sale website, Please feel free to show us any other bits you have in your collection. Regards Simon

Tom? Not too much about your man on Ancestry UK other than his Medal Index Card which confirms his full WW1 entitlement as BWM and Victory Medal Roll RGA/216B Page 11669. This Roll shows his previous Unit as Base Details RGA. Which I believe basically means at the RGA depot awaiting posting to a Battery. All the best Simon

Looking at the enlarged image of the Formation Badges it well not be 8th Army, a number of Commands used the shield shape, it obviously depends on the colours. Simon

An excellent account, superbly researched and written. everyone should read this. Regards Simon

Can we see the Formation badge and Shoulder titles any clearer? May be of assistance. Regards Simon

I would say, yes, British Army based on Uniform and Rifle and although not clear, probably 8th Army Formation looking at the Formation patch. Fought there way up through Italy and ended the War in Austria? Regards Simon

Good luck Rachel and as I said I'll keep you informed should anything turn up Simon

My pleasure, I failed to mention that there should also be a Plaque commemorating him, hopefully with the medals still. I have also listed his details on the British Medal Forum website asking for any details on the whereabouts of the medals. Will let you know if anything turns up. Regards Simon