Jerry B

Posted on another forum. Thornton-Pickard were formed in 1888 and produced photoraphic equipment up to 1940 when the company ceased to exist. This piece is the Thorton-Pickard Mk III Hythe Machine Gun Camera,circa 1915. The camera was used by the RFC for aircraft gunnery training.The camera was mounted onto an aircraft and instead of shooting bullets it took pictures and was used to train pilots in air-to-air combat. The camera was the same size as a Lewis gun and when the trainee "fired" the gun camera a cross-hair was printed onto the image showing how accurate his aim had been. The camera took 16 frames on 120mm roll film,had an f8-300mm lens and was named "Hythe" after the gunnery school in Kent. The camera's were sold commercially after the war.

I'll have a look Jock, I have some German items in my collection, in fact most will be for sale soon.

Indeed Mervyn, I have a few of them, some are quite rare and fetch silly money these days.

Very nice pre 1953 OR's bimetal. My Father was in the royal Sigs during the 30's to 50's and I also had uncles who served with them well into the 70's. I have my fathers cap badge from WWII, the plastic economy version, so perhaps he had more than one as he would have had one like that you have shown pre war and probably post war as well.

The badge is wrong as the shako if British army would be much earlier than the 2nd Boer war, condition is poor and it is obviously messed with.

The WWII history of the 2nd BN the Welch Regiment from their regimental history (as found in the link posted previously).

Thanks Mervyn. I have 5 Slouch hats in my collection and do as you suggest know something of their history. An interesting thread from the Victorian wars forum posted recently discussed this very subject. http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9434&hilit=slouch

Maker marked Failsworth Hats Ltd, 1941 dated with an O above the WD arrow mark for 1942, with its original flash for the Welch Regiment, whose 2nd Battalion were in India until 1944 when they were sent to Burma to fight the Japanese until the end of the war. Uncommon to see such an early dated British slouch and also to see one flashed to the Welch. http://www.royalwelsh.org.uk/downloads/E05-02-WelchR-WW2-2ndBattalion.pdf

On the Victorian wars forum it was considered to be a theatrical piece.

A very cool pick up Chris, an AB64 I assume, I have a few from earlier and later periods, but not a WWI example yet. What else does it contain?

Mervyn. Thanks and I am more than happy to add more detailed posts on aspects of the regiment if there is the interest for it here. To be honest I was not sure if the interest was there, as until you, my posts have not appeared to garner any attention. The RWF are involved in a project to commemorate the 1914 Xmas truce as they were one of the units involved and I can find out more details on this. I know there will be an exhibition in France and that will then tour cities in the UK that have expressed an interest in it.

The same one by the sound of it, even down to the wire loop on the reverse. A 2nd DERBY MILITIA (CHATSWORTH RIFLES) OFFICER'S POUCH BELT PLATE in sheet brass embossed with arms comprising shield, crest, helm, ducal coronet, supporters and motto CAVENDO TUTUS, 15cm h Raised in January 1855 and designated The Chatsworth Rifles on 22 May the same year, it subsequently became the 3rd Battalion Derbyshire Regiment and was amalgamated with the 5th Battalion in April 1891. Condition report: Some polish residues and with holes for mounting but lacking the screw posts, instead on the reverse a central soldered wire loop for suspension. Not damaged or repaired, the defects reflected in modest estimate

Circa 1890 officers bullion & silver collar badges for the red tunic. Lovely condition and not often seen outside the regimental museum. The details on the dragon is superb and it is the early version which looks more like a Griffin and has no loop in the tail, whilst the flames of the grenade are the wider type when compared with the later versions. Also shown are some later collars and a cap badge with the loop in the dragons tail and the narrower flames.

A good selling point mon ami. Listen very carefully, I will say this only once.

It is broad arrow marked with an O so 1942 and as it is an austerity version 40 pattern, it would be 3rd or 4th quarter of 42, as this type was introduced at that date.

The liner system looks wrong for one of such an early date, more like the post 1925 Vero system on removable split pins, though the shape of the helmet does look to be the pre Wolesely (circa 1900) type.

Hi Chris, A black armband for mourning for King Edward VII, seems most likely as the tunic would date to circa 1911 and he died in 1910, though it might be for an unknown friend or relation of the owners and worn at any date until he became a major.

Major Godfrey Percy Burrell M.C. MiD. 4th Bn. Hampshire. D.O.B. 18th March 1881 at HIgh Street, Alton, Southampton. Son of Harry Percy Burrell (profession: brewer) and Gertrude Evelyn Burrell nee Crowley. 1st Bn Hants....2nd Lieut.......................06/01/1900 1st Bn Hants....Lieut.............................18/01/1902 1st Bn Hants....Resigned........................08/03/1905..............Total 5 Yrs 61 Days 4th Bn Hants....Capt.............................05/08/1911 4th Bn Hants....Major............................27/06/1917 4th Bn Hants....Relinquished (Ill Health)....07/05/1918..............Total 6 Yrs 275 Days 4th Bn Hants....Major............................31/07/1920 4th Bn Hants....Relinquished Commission...29/03/1922..............Total 1 Yr 241 Days .................................................. ..................................Total Service 13 Yrs 212 Days MID gazetted, 5th 4th 1916. MC gazetted, 17th 4th 1916. In 1917, it appears that Major Burrell applied to be relieved of his appointment as Assistant Commandant at No.11 (Southport) Aircraft Acceptance Park, (Royal Flying Corps), as he apparently resented being under orders of a Captain [Hellyer] and wished to be returned to his Regiment. He seems to have had a protracted period of illness during the years covering his service. There also seems to be no detailed mention of his M.C. housed within this file at the N.A. 4th Bn., Hampshire R. — Maj. G. P. Burrell, M.C., relinquishes his commn., 29th Mar. 1922, and retains the rank of Maj. And the listing for his Military Cross but not the citation 4006 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 APRIL, 1916. Awarded the Military Cross. Captain Godfrey Percy Burrell, I/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (T.F.). http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu.../4006/page.pdf http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32654/supplements/2580 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27813/pages/4634/page.pdf http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27398/ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29536/supplements/3663 Full account of campaign in Middle east with Hampshires and other units. Mid for actions in this period, EUPHRATES OPERATIONS, 26th JUNE T0 25TH JULY, 1915. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29536/supplements/

Amazing that you found his citation. I tried and failed to find one for an officer of the Hampshires, I found the notification but not the citation.

I have done it in the past, sold items because I needed the money, some of which I miss having, but in the main, no regrets and of course you have the fun of finding new items. I only just realised I know you from two other forums Bob. I am also a new member here so good to see other familiar posters. PS the London Gazette is free to view, but finding award citations is very hard in my experience. I found my dads notification for his MiD, but not the citation.

A nice Grens collection Bob. I have a couple of items for them, but no medals and nothing as nice as what you have.

Very nice Mevyn, thanks for the history and for showing these uncommonly seen full set of buttons and OSD badge. I'll keep an eye out for them in the sales section.

A good pic of the RA Sgt's arm badge in wear. Looks to be for his wedding and on a 49 pattern BD blouse.

Some documents for him from the net covering details of his service and about his passing.