captainofthe7th

Thank you, Simon, I appreciate it! Robert

Hi Simon - Thanks for the help! Yes the 1966 list I was looking at is on Fold3, which I do have access to. In the uniform his name is written with 2 Ms, though records show both one and two. Here's some excerpts form the Gazette from 1954, 59, and 78 (79 I forget now that I clipped it).

Hi all -- I am trying to learn about Donald Passmore Sommerville who servied with the Royal Scots from 1953 through at least 1979. I've found him in what resources I have available online - the Gazette which details his promotions and the 1966 Army List. I would like to request more records and learn which unit he served with in Korea (I would assume the 1st Royal Scots) and what he did later. I have his battle dress blouse which is partially complete and has the 1st R.S. tartan and Korea/UN medal ribbons. I can see where the rank of Major was removed from the shoulder straps, R.S. collar insignia once was, and where the Lowland Brigade patch was beneath the R.S. tartan. It would be nice if he was still alive, but I have no idea how to find him as I am still new to researching veterans of the U.K. I believe he was born in 1934 and married in 1960 to Elizabeth Capel, both events in England, though, so I'm not 100% sure it is him if he served with the Royal Scots in the T.A. I'd either like to write to him if he is alive or request his service records with permission from next of kin or if he passes over 25 years ago I suppose they will release the information I need. But, I can find no record of his death or residence. Thanks, Robert

This PVA uniform was brought back as a souvenir by an American soldier in Korea. What I found most interesting was the faint remnants of P.O.W. written on the back in grease pencil or something like that. My question is, being a field grade officer, is this traceable in any way? I would be delighted to find a possible match to who wore this at that time. Thanks, Robert

Another patch I have not found much info on...and perhaps it belongs in the French section? I have had this one for years and just rediscovered it. I hope I can use it to fund items within my focus, so I am curious about the value. I have seen a couple of pin on badges with this design, but never a patch. It seems like it holds some interesting history and maybe I will become attached to it...it was brought back by an American soldier who served in the war as a surgical technician. I wonder if he had responsibilities with the French as well, as he was of French descent? It makes me think of my great Uncle who I have a photo of wearing French wings on his pocket - he was never overseas, but trained French airmen in Florida.

I think these badges are interesting, but I am hoping I can use them to add something to my collection that's within my focus. I post so infrequently and I feel bad to only post now to ask how much an item is worth, but I have found so few references for these. They were brought back by an American soldier along with another Free French Air Force patch. The helmet badge is aluminum and the paint has darkened/discolored making the blue field nearly black and the white field yellowed. The clip on the rear is broken on one side. The collar tab is nice, but fraying on the edges. Any help is great, thanks so much!

Ha Hugh I think the thing is that collectors study these regulations and when you're actually in the military it doesn't matter where you put your stars or Vs....kind of backwards. I did just read that for USN/USMC personnel that the V should be as close to the center of the ribbon as possible, keeping the devices symmetrical if possible. So that could go against what I said earlier. Rob

I read somewhere recently that USN and USMC personnel should place the gold stars in front of the V device to denote more than one award for valor, and place stars after the V device for subsequent awards for merit. I wish I kept the source as I can't back that up. I don't think this applies to Army personnel with oak leaves. Rob

Maybe this will fit in here. After trying to identify this soldier for a long time, earlier this year I finally received paperwork from the VA. The story of his award of the Purple Heart is very interesting - most sources say it was a buddy who accidentally shot him, or it could have been a sniper. What were his wounds? Well...just below the belt. I couldn't help but laugh when I finally read into the paperwork. Whether or not it was from enemy or friendly fire, the award is official and listed on his discharge papers. Like some of the above stories, I suspect that whoever was doing the paperwork was very sympathetic and that's how the award came to be! http://captainofthe7th.wix.com/rcmcollection#!hannah/c9ca I don't consider this instance to be 'lame,' but actually well deserved whether he truly met the criteria of the award or not, as I think it's one of men's worst fears! Luckily he only lost a small part of his package and still went on to have a few kids. Rob

I think I saw this one when it was for sale and i almost grabbed it myself, though it is just outside of my focuses as well! It's really such a great unique uniform. I'm glad you got it! Rob

Mervyn, you might find this interesting if you've not already found it. I'm not sure this article discusses reasons behind the insignia, but details the evolution. http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=9168&grp=0&menu= I also found this interesting and I think it will answer the question of brigadier general. http://www.pearlandjrotc.freeservers.com/armyhist.htm As for why we use bars and leaves instead of pips, etc...I'm not sure! It seems like they just evolved out of old practices. "In 1851, it was decided to use only silver eagles for colonels, as a matter of economy. The silver eagle was selected based on the fact that there were more colonels with the silver eagle that those with gold, primarily in the cavalry and artillery, hence it was cheaper to replace the numerically fewer gold ones in the infantry. At that time on the shoulder straps, lieutenant colonels wore an embroidered silver leaf; majors wore a gold embroidered leaf; and captains and first lieutenants wore gold bars. The second lieutenant had no grade insignia, but the presence of an epaulette or shoulder strap identified him as a commissioned officer.[1] For majors, the shoulder strap contained an oak leaf, but like the second lieutenant, the epaulette had no grade insignia. However, the major was still distinguishable from the second lieutenant due to the more elaborate epaulette fringes worn by field grade officers." Rob

Hi all -- I am trying to research a uniform a bit before purchasing it. I can hardly make out the name written in it -- looks like R. Spearmint or R. Spearpoint. The service number appears to be and is according to the seller: 2/731156 or 2731156. I believe this means he was from New South Wales in the reserves? I am interested in the jacket since he has Korean War service for which he was mentioned in despatches and also received the US Bronze Star, QEII Coronation Medal 1953, and both 1918 and 1962 General Service Medals. I found one Ronald Spearpoint that lived in NSW but have not found connection to any military service. Those names and that number also do not show up in the nominal rolls for Australian veterans of Korea or even Vietnam. I am hoping that number would appear in the officer's list and could resolve the mystery, even if the name does not match the uniform. http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/Ji4AAOSwstxVNav8/$_57.JPG Thanks, Rob

Thanks, Mike. i appreciate the reply. I got lucky with my first uniform that I purchased. The officer died 25+ years ago so it was easy to request info from the LAC. I think that gave me an expectation that isn't really so easy to fulfill. Rob

It also resembles the unofficial WWI St. Mihiel Medal. If it is as wide as a standard U.S. ribbon that could be it. Rob

Thanks everyone for sharing all of this information. I love seeing well documented Polish items. I have much to learn about them...perhaps someday I can acquire a few pieces. Rob

I think I've not read things correctly - the Regimental Numbers book does not have soldier's names, but unit names... I have not found other sources. Any suggestions? Rob

Hi all -- I recently found a Canadian Provost Corps uniform for sale - the Sergeant served in Italy, France and later Korea and has a number of service chevrons on his right cuff, one being silver which I have learned indicates service in the first year of the war. There is no name, but written on a belt is the following: LL 483457 I've found Regimental Numbers of the Canadian Army to reference service numbers and I think this is something I should invest in if I am going to continue collecting Canadian material. He also received the Canadian Forces Decoration.. I think with the svc # and the CD it would be easy enough to cross reference between sources (I also need to purchase the CD list). In the meantime, I was hoping that someone here would be able to help me run the number and see if there is name attached or if that number is just arbitrary. Thanks so much, Rob

Hi Mervyn, thanks for the reply! I'm really fascinated with the history behind Maj. Durbin. Are you referring to my mention of his recommendation for the MBE? Here are two pages from the documents I received from the archives. Well worth the £4 I paid! I would love it if anyone else has info, photos, etc relating to Maj. Durbin. Rob

Very interesting discussion, guys...thank you so much for continuing to look at this piece and talk about it. It seems like we cannot be totally sure about the legitimacy of this piece? It certainly does not seem it should be worth the asking price. Perhaps if it was ID'd, maybe? I think on a US uniform, a custom tailored rack like this would be hard to argue against, even with unusual and or out of order awards. This example, however, comes from a place where I am sure it is very feasible to create such an assembly and our references are not as detailed as we might desire. Ulsterman gives it some hope, though. So curious! Rob

I just downloaded a document for Maj. Durbin's recommendation for the MBE and learned that he did not arrive in Korea until December 1952, so he actually missed the 2nd Battle of the Hook. He was, however, present for the third battle on the ridge, and interestingly enough the details of the fight are much the same as what happened in late November. I updated my website to reflect this change, unfortunately I cannot edit my original post! Rob

This is my second Commonwealth uniform I have found as I try to expand my Korean War collection outside of the United States. This uniform belonged to Major John T. D. Durbin of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. I think that he may be the most travelled veteran I have researched so far. He began his service in 1946, at the age of 18. He was born in 1928 and just too young for service in WWII. In 1949, the 1st Gordons were sent to Berlin in support of the blockade, though they arrived just after the blockade was lifted. He spent the next year there in continued support of operations. He was then assigned to the 1st Battalion, Black Watch and went with the unit to Korea in July 1952 as a platoon commander. The most significant combat for Durbin and for the Black Watch was the Second Battle of the Hook in November 1952. As one of the three battles for the ridge, the Black Watch managed to repeal continued Chinese attacks and hold their position despite fierce artillery barrages and hand-to-hand combat with waves of Chinese forces. After he returned home in August 1953 and reassigned to the 1st Gordons, the unit moved to Singapore to support the Malayan 'Emergency' and push the communists out of the area. Malaya was significant to British in terms of geography and trade. They had also committed a lot of effort to keeping the Japanese out during WWII. Ironically, the same troops they trained in guerrilla tactics during the war were now fighting against them as communists. Durbin was in Malaya for around two years, I think, and after returning home, moved to Cyprus from 1955 to 1956 to fight the terrorists on the island. Though it was a small engagement, the conflict still proved to be deadly. In 1963, Durbin went to Kenya with the 1st Gordons, witnessing the end of the British Empire in Africa due to the Mau Mau revolution. He was here until 1965 when the Gordons were needed again in Malaya. After his second Malayan tour, during which he was awarded the Order of the British Empire, Maj. Durbin finally returned home for good in 1968 and retired from regular service in 1969. Please read about his service in greater detail here: http://captainofthe7th.wix.com/rcmcollection#!durbin/c1qwy And find a great deal of information and photos of the engagements of the 1st Gordons during the Cold War here: http://www.rememberingscotlandatwar.org.uk/Accessible/Project/9/The-Gordon-Highlanders-Museum-Aberdeen Thanks for reading, and thanks to those members on here that helped me research him. (Thanks for the scans, Gunner 1!) Rob

Thank you both for the help! paddywhack, unfortunately he passed away last year so I will not be able to provide the MOD with proof of death over 25 years. Seems like I will not have any luck from them? Gunner 1, tremendous information. Sheds a lot of light on a few things I was curious about. I'll be sending you a private message shortly! Thanks, Rob

Hello all - Merry Christmas! Yesterday, as a gift, I received the battle dress uniform to Maj. John T. Durbin. I am very pleased with this as it is the second identified Korean War uniform I have found from a non-U.S. service. Of course, I wish to learn all I can about Maj. Durbin - where he was, which units he was assigned to, any photographs....everything! I am most interested in his service with the 1st Bn., Black Watch in Korea. He was very well traveled though as you'll see in the obituary. However, I am shy about this research and I figured I could find some great suggestions here. Please excuse my questions as a beginner...I think I am on the right track, but I want to be sure before I send things off and wait for months for a reply! First off, here is his obituary. I am extremely lucky to have this amount of info, especially with a photograph! This answers in brief detail most of the things I wish to know. However, I always enjoy having original documents to keep on file. http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-major-john-t-durbin-mbe-llb-ws-gordon-highlanders-officer-and-solicitor-1-2999717 This has a lot of info - name, rank, brith date, service number. Everything I need to write a request. Before I do that, are there any online resources I can search? If I write a request, I would send it to this address under the (b) field. http://www.gordonhighlanders.com/Before-You-Submit-Your-Enquiry#.VJz-JA8A I understand that there are published British Army lists that give some details about active officers. I suspect he would appear in these, but according to this link, in part ©, the biographical information is "restricted." Does this mean I would not receive that information? It seems like that is what I am after. http://tna.koha-ptfs.eu/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=23759 Aside from death notices, all I have been able to find online is a recommendation for the MBE. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7631492#imageViewerLink Now - would I be better off writing to the archives, or should I make friends with someone who lives around London who would be willing to access the information for me? Thank you so much - I can't wait to get moving on this project and I hope to become comfortable with this research. I think I am also going to post the uniform in the appropriate section, as I see some 'ghosts' on the sleeves where a patch was sewn beneath the Gordon's 'arc.' I am also still learning about the appropriate insignia and accouterments for these uniforms. Rob

I'm sure some of you have seen this floating on eBay for sometime. It has a big price tag. I've never seen an ROK uniform. I don't know what to think of this one. Can anyone shed some light on it? The ribbon bar is interesting with the US campaign ribbons and two Purple Heart looking ribbons. http://www.ebay.com/itm/271497541334?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I really have no idea what I'm looking at and would like to learn more. It does look like all original insignia, like the seller says, but absolutely original? Or added at a later date? Does anyone have photos or examples like this in their collection? Thanks, Rob

I believe the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal would cover any action in Iraq between this period (that is not covered by another service medal). On the list of qualifying actions, I do see Kuwait (Operation Southern Watch) listed beginning in Dec 1995 with no end date and the following operations (which include Southern Watch, so I am not sure if 2005 is the end date or not?): Southwest Asia (Operation Southern Watch) 1 December 1995 - 18 March 2003 Southwest Asia (Maritime Intercept Operation) 1 December 1995 - 18 March 2003 Southwest Asia (Operation Vigilant Sentinel) 1 December 1995 - 15 February 1997 Southwest Asia (Operation Northern Watch) 1 January 1997 - 18 March 2003 Southwest Asia (Operation Desert Thunder) 11 November 1988 - 22 December 1998 Southwest Asia (Operation Desert Fox) 16 December 1998 - 22 December 1998 Southwest Asia (Operation Desert Spring) 31 December 1998 - 18 March 2003 Hope that helps! There is also the Armed Forces Service medal, which similar to the AFEM, covers operations not otherwise included in existing service medals. It differs, however, in that the operations that fall under the AFSM do not include opposition with the enemy. Rob