Archer

Hi Len

In die land van die blindes is eenoog koning! I am not an expert on the QSA. But ...

(i) Engraved medals were given to "other ranks" in certain circumstances. However, medals to Colonials like Tyghe seem to have been impressed.

(ii) Depends on the price, I guess (like was it between R300-R500, or was it between R1300-R1500?). But if you're not 100% happy, return it and save yourself some heartache.

(iii) The original medal was issued off the Nesbitt's Horse Roll.

Hope this helps a little bit.

William

Your medal is engraved not impressed. I can't tell whether officially or unofficially from the photo.

It is certainly on the roll.

The recipient appears on the Nesbitt's Horse Roll signed at Redhouse on 28 August 1903 as entitled to the clasp SA1901. He is shown as Sergt. Tyghe T. (no number). The remarks column states "issue from 1/15367".

He appears again on the Roll signed at Redhouse on 20 July 1905 as entitled to the clasps CC and SA1901. He is shown as Sergt. Tyghe (no number). The issue of "M[edal] & cl[asps]. C & O" is noted (authorised on 17 April 1907 [sic]). The 'remarks' column notes "(603 J) Marshalls Hse".

He also appears on the Marshalls Horse Roll signed at Johannesburg on 19 May 1903 as entitled to the clasps CC and OFS. He is shown as 603 Tyghe J [sic]. The remarks column states "Nesbitt's Horse (Sergt. T.)" [sic].

Thanks, Amit. Still working on it. Cannot yet find any substantiation.

Rob - you say you were aware of this bar. Can you share "chapter and verse" with us please?

Thanks!

William

We need the photographs!

The Southern Naval Command has been active combating piracy off the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands ...

POR (Spl) is a naval rating - stands for Petty Officer Radio Specialist.

IN is the Indian Navy.

Notes originally compiled by T.F. Mills

19th Hussars

September 1891: At sea

1891: India: Bangalore

1896: India: Secunderabad

1899: South Africa: Ladysmith

11 October 1899: War breaks out in South Africa

1902: Regiment re-designated as the 19th (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own) Hussars

1903: Ireland: Curragh

1908: England: Norwich

1910: England: Aldershot

1912: England: Hounslow Barracks

4 August 1914: Great War breaks out

August 1914: France and Flanders: split into squadrons as divisional cavalry

It's a beautiful item.

Luvverly!!!!

This is the "short set" of miniatures attributed to His Majesty, and sold in London some time ago.

To be continued ...

- will triumph, beat back the evil Swastika and stand proud again.

Yet Czechoslovakia - aided by determined allies -

But in Europe there stalk the demons of nationalism, political extremism, anti-semitism and violence. On 14 March 1939 Slovakia is forced by Hitler to proclaim itself an independent country and on 15 March Hitler invades the Czech lands and Hungary annexes Ruthenia. Hell is let loose on the Czech People.

This notice - meant for a display of pictures on the massacre and destruction of Lidice - seems to me to be the best epigrammatic commentary on the baleful behaviour of the Nazis I've ever seen.

and General Gamelin

France is the interested world power and French generals help to build up the Czechoslovak armed forces, like General Faucher

and more

And throughout the troubled Twentieth century more

Despite the occasional award which would look very much at home in a Tintin comic by Hergé

Which, I believe under French influence, quickly become more conventional.

In fact, a raft of new medals and decorations is required.

There are new warriors and a new tradition of military valour. [Even if some of the ribbons are repeated!]

So the war ends in the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Czechs and Slovaks declare themselves independent, and form a country and need to reward the heroes of the revolutionary movement and veterans of the war against the Central Powers.

And elsewhere Czechs fight alongside Russians - never suspecting what is to come in thirty years' time.

This is - I think - my most favourite item on display.

But the old Emperor's life ebbs slowly away, and with it the fortunes of the k.u.k. armed forces, and by 1916 there is a growing realisation that Austro-Hungarian will no longer be able to protect Bohemians, Moravians or Slovaks from Hungary and Russian ambitions. So the Czechs fall increasingly into the allied camp and send their soldiers to fight against the Central Powers on the Western Front. And so they need new medals.

Here is a fantastically important series of sketches by František Kupka (1871-1957), the Czech painter and graphic artist, showing the evolution of the Military Cross and emblem for additional citations.

Or in the k.u.k. Marine, where Czechs disproportionately hold high numbers of appointments in the technical and engineering branches.

So we start the First World War in the Kaiser Franz Josef's army.

This magnificent group is rather unhelpfully described as "Lath [sic] of a sergeant major of the Austro-Hungarian Army, worn after the war".