Brian Wolfe

Hi Kevin, Thanks for the images Cheers Brian

Thanks Gordon Brian

Here is a close-up of the identification number area showing the large red A, the T and Regimental identification. Give this would have provided too much information to the enemy and would have been removed when war broke out. We can assume that this Carrier was one that would have been painted glossy dark green. The track-adjustment bar can be seen quite clearly. A simple tool that probably worked well enough in the field (or not at all). Thanks for looking. Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, Besides my interest in medals I have always been drawn to the Universal Carriers used in WW II. My fasination has stopped short of trying to restore one due mostly to lack of mechanical ability and storage space. I have some books on the subject and a few photos of restored Carriers and picture postcards from the WW II era. While thumbing through my copy of Osprey's Universal Carrier 1936 - 48 by David Fletcher for the 100th time (well maybe not the 110th), I noticed one photo that looked very familiar as did the vehicle I.D. number. It turns out that on page 24 (denoted as "A") there is a Carrier drawn that I have on a picture postcard. The artist has eliminated the soldiers and the rifle muzzels shown on my picture but it is the same Carrier. I thought I would post it here with their write-up. Machine Gun Carrier No.2 Mark 1, 2nd Battalion the Cheshire Regiment, c. 1937 The 2nd Battalion provided a motorized infantry element for the 1927 Experimental Armoured Force and in subsequent years employed the troublesome little Carden-Loyd Carriers. Designed as a machine gun battalion and equipped with Machine Gun Carriers. It would have exchanged these for 15cwt platoon trucks once the Bren Gun was introduced. In peacetime, when appearances counted for more than camouflage, the vehicle would have been finished in a glossy dark green and decorated with the regimental badge and battalion title [as in my photo]. The large red A indicates a front-line, combat vehicle; other types carried a B. The War Office census number was the carrier's primary identification but, between wars, military vehicles were also required to display a civilian-style registration plate, invariably in sequences issued by the County of Middlesex. As an added bit of information, just below gunners (?) feet you can see the Track-Adjusting Bar axiffed to the side of the Carrier. I hope you found this interesting. Cheers Brian

Hi Rick, Wow! That was fast! Many thanks for the information. Cheers Brian

I forgot to mention that this is a cabinet photo and not a photo/postcard. I've included a photo of the reverse of the photo's card in case there is something there that can help with the identification. Many thanks Brian

Here is a closer picture of the medals and the collar insignia. Thanks again for your help. Cheers Brian

Hello everyone, One of the sideline projects I've been thinking of starting is the matching of actual medals to photos of recipients. I am going to keep to unnamed medals such as the ones this officer in the photo is wearing as I don't want to feature named medals with another recipient's photo in my collection. I thought it would add a little more interesting look to my collection. Can anyone tell me what medals this soldier is wearing? The one on the far right looks to be the 60th Anniversary of the reign of Franz Joseph, the middle one might be the 50th Anniversary medal but I don't know what the first cross would be. Perhaps the middle one isn't the 50th Anniversary I was just thinking that there would only be 10 years between the two issues so it could be the 50th. Also would anyone know what rank and/or unit this fellow belonged to. I'm pretty sure he is Austrian going by the medals. As to dating the photo, if the middle medal is the 50th Anniversary of the reign of Franz Joseph then would this place the photo around 1898 or at least between 1898 and 1908? Your help with this is greatly appreciated. Cheers Brian

Hi Thomas, Just to get this clear in my mind. Are you saying this fellow is a Prussian Landgendarmerie and would have been mounted? I assume that the Garde star is the star on his helmet so the photo would have to be after 1895. I'm a novice to uniform identification but I can't resist purchasing these older photographs for my collection. Thanks for you assistance. Cheers Brian

Hi Kevin, Very nice. That the first one I've seen. Thanks for posting it. Cheers Brian

Hi Chet, I believe you are correct about this being a medal to a second class air mechenic. I have one named to 81439 1 A.M. A.C. CHANDLER R.A.F. and I found a reference stating this was to a 1st class air mechanic. I can't seem to find where I put the reference material at the moment. Cheers Brian

Many thanks for the information Chip. Cheers Brian

Thanks Michael. I can find no family still in that area but I'll check with the Township Office this summer to see what I can find. Considering the number in the family there are probably some still there. Cheerrs Brian

Hi Snoopy, WOW! The KG 5, what a great find. You are one lucky fellow. Here's to you. Brian

Many thanks Bernhard and Christophe for the translations. I had no idea that this was such an early post card. Post cards with messages on the back lend a realism to the artifact that even named medals lack. Thank you both again. Cheers Brian

Here is a photo of the body of the postcard's message. Thank you for any assistance you can extend to me, it is most appreciated. Cheers Brian

Here's the address area. Brian

Hello Everyone, Here is another postcard from a large lot I purchased this weekend that I need help with. It is a photo of a French soldier taken in full uniform in 1915. If anyone can help with the identification of his unit it would be appreciated. I also need help with the translation of the writing on the reverse of the postcard. I am sadly unilingual despite the best efforts of my High School French teacher, may he rest in peace, poor fellow. Thanks again for any help you can give me. I will save the rest of the photos until I have a scanner that will allow me to post them. Cheers Brian

I've tried to get as closer photo but it is probably too out of focus to help much but here it is anyway. Thanks again for any help you can give me. Cheers Brian

Here is a closer photo of the collar tabs and helmet. Brian

Hello Everyone, This weekend I picked up a number of items including this photo of a soldier and his family. Is it possible to identify his unit? It is a cabinet photo not a postcard which propaply explains the lack of any writing on the reverse of the photo. My scanner will not allow me to do anything except scan and print so I have to rely on photography so I hope the detail is sufficient for identification purposes. Any help is greatly appreciated. Cheers Brian

Hello Saltynay, Welcome to the forum. I think the bayonet you have is a Pattern 1855 for the Lancaster carbine. The dimensions for the Pattern 1855 are as follows, Overall length: 738 mm Blade length: 612 mm Blade width: 31 mm at the crossguard Blade width: 29.5 mm at the point Blade thickness: 7.6 mm at the crossguard Muzzel ring diameter: 20 mm If this is the Pattern 1855 then it was issued to the Royal Sappers and Miners and to Sergeants of the Medical Staff Corps. Information source: Bayonets of the World by Paul Kiesling, Volume Two, page 127. Very nice bayonet. Cheers Brian

That is a very nice collection, thanks for sharing it. I would think post #21 has to do with Fire Prevention or some sort of fire watch duty. I'm mostly going by the equipment depicted on the pin. Cheers Brian

The history text is worth more than the medal! Cheers Brian

I agree with Rick. This looks like a locally made fishing spear. The socket is like one I have on a spear that was made in Africa by a local blacksmith. It would not be something normally seen on a battlefield. Cheers Brian