Brian Wolfe

Hi Mervyn, You're probably correct about Canadian's cutting corners. That was back when the country was attempting to balance a budget. Now... well, why get depressing (pun intended)? Regards Brian

Hi Peter, Je suis daccord avec ce que vous dites. Cependant, dans mon cas, le Francaise n est pas ma premiere langue et j ai la lecture et l ecriture de difficulte en Francais. Je pense que beaucoup de members peuvent juste sauter par n importe quelle soumission dans n importe quelle langue a moins que l anglais. Ceci signifie une perte d entree par beaucoup de members experts. As you can see how even with the use of a translation program the message above is awkward at best. My earlier comment was to draw attention to the fact that this is predominantly an English language forum and that the use of another language limits the number of members who might be able to help with another member's questions. Of course my comment here is not to say that members who speak languages other than English are not welcomed. On the contrary, as a Canadian believing in a multi-cultural society, I personally have no problem with the use of other languages. It's just that I can't communicate properly with them. Lord know my useage of the Queen's English has much to be desired. Regards Brian

Hi Odin Mk 3, Your comment is not all that minor, at least not too me. I agree with you 100% and in fact if you look at the War Medal and Defence Medal next to the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, which is .925 fine silver, you can see the difference. Of course this is not so evident if the medals are showing a lot of fine scratches due to polishing, in other words it really show up in the mint condition speciments. Regards Brian

Hi Mervyn, I have a group that I just finished court mounting that will change your opinion somewhat. The group includes the Canada Decoration for Long Service (CD) so the group is identifiable as to the recipient. The silver medals are all plated! It won't really change your opinion but it makes me wonder why anyone would plate a silver medal. There will never be any patina to this group, though some members may like it better as they like their medals in a polished state. Poor misguided sods. I'll post the group another time in the correct area of the forum. Regards Brian

Hello Mervyn, That's a nice cleaning kit. Over the years I've seen, but not owned, several different kits and I think this would make an interesting thread if the other members have these in their collections. I hope they are not like me and passed these up when they were available. On a related note. Yesterday we went to a local Antiques Mall - it was the cost my wife paid for her fabric store shopping that day - and I noticed some WWI British bayonets for sale. I remember when I was a lot younger - that in itself is becoming a achievemnt - and these sold for 99 cents to $1.50 each. The $1.50 ones were in mint condition! At the time I had a Lee Enfield that had seen a lot of use so I decided to add a worn-looking bayonet to it as a mint condition bayonet would just not look "correct". I had a devil of a time finding one that had the worn-look I was seeking. I recall paying the 99 cents for one which even came with its original scabbard. The price of the bayonets at the Antiques Mall? They were all in near mint condition and were priced at $150.00 and higher! I just had to give my haed a shake as I remembered passing these up, for the most part, due to the vast number that were available back in the day. So much for my meandering trip down memory lane. Regards Brian

Hello Odin Mk 3, That would make sense, I know that there were soldiers wearing the Africa Star ribbon well before the war's end. I do recall seeing a reference to the 1939-43 Star on a document in my collection but I thought it was a typing error. Thanks for the information. Regards Brian

Last but far from least is the court mount that I just completed. The medals came in their original boxes which the family does not want back so they will stay in my collection along with the envelope that contained the CVSM Overseas Clasp. These medals were awarded to: A-104303 AMOS, Leonard George, Gunner. I hope the family likes my work, it was an honour to have been asked to do this for them. Regards Brian

This is a copy of his discharge document. for some reason they needed this in 1976, perhaps for some benifit or insurance, and this is a copy of the certified true copy. As you may note the Discharge document was signed at Wolseley Barracks in Nov. 15, 1945. Wolseley Barracks is located in London Ontario; I know as I helped train staff when the government decommissioned it a number of years ago. It was located right in the city and only small arms ammunition was allowed to be kept there, greatly limiting their training programs. I believe it is still a small depot and the 1st Canadian Regiment's Museum was still located there the last I heard. Perhaps some of the members can add to this information.

Here is a closer view of the ribbon bar.

Hello Everyone, A coworker of mine asked if I would court mount his father's medals for the family. His father passed away last summer. With the box of material was a photo of his father in his uniform which is thought to have been taken while he was overseas. He is wearing a two medal ribbon bar and I am wondering what medals these represented. If these are the 1939/45 Star and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medals then wouldn't the photo have to be taken after 1945? He joined in 1942 and was discharged in November of 1945. The CVSM ribbon should have the maple leaf device, which is not on the ribbon in the photo. The only reason I mentioned the two medals was due to the stripes on each ribbon. The discharge papers and the medals are shown below. The family is going to seek more information from the Archives and when they do so I will be given more information which I will add to this post. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated. Regards Brian

Nice medal Darrell, thanks for posting it; another one that I have as yet to add to my collection. There's always "another one" to add. Regards Brian

All I can say, besides thank you for the information, is that your fellows are amazing! What started out as a purchase through error has become one of my treasured artifacts of my collection. Thanks again. Regards Brian

Wait a minute, what are you guys trying to get away with here! Is that a non-regulation cap the Lt Col. is wearing? I'm not trying to be a stickler for protocol but there are standards for proper dress (and undress?)uniforms, is there not? Regards Brian

Very nice, I wish I could help you with the identification, but alas, I have no knowledge of them. Thanks for posting the pictures they are quite interestng. Regards Brian

Thanks once again Paul. I actually was wondering if the ps stood for police sergeant but then I thought that would have been too good to be true, as it often is in collecting. Now I am very happy! Regards Brian

I would like join Mervyn in welcoming you to the GMIC. I too would like to see the periscope you have mentioned. As far as posting photos I think you have to put in some time and a few posts before you can add photos to your post. I must read those club rules again. However, you might want to check the rules to see when you are allowed to post photos, it looks as though I am the one who is ignorant (of the rules). Regads Brian

Thank you very much for all of your work Paul. I have one question, should the "ps" before fairbrass and before 11-62076 be "PC"? This is so much more information than I could ever have believed possible. Thank you again. Regards Brian

Here is a closer view of the fellow in question. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can extend to me. Regards Brian

Hello Everyone, Here's a photo that I just received. I like photos of weapons and different pieces of ordnance especially is shown with the soldiers. This is a nice one showing a French soldier beside three bombs, the 100, 50 and 12 kilo sizes. I didn't really notice much detail regarding the soldier when I purchased this photo but when it arrived I was happy to see that his unit number, 62 and the Croix de Guerre with Palm are very clearly shown. The medal's hanger is interesting and reminds me of the post Chris made on 22 Jan, 2010 with the title, "Mounted as he wore it", which showed two medals hanging from such a device. If anyone can add any information regarding this soldier it would be appreciated; is it possible that he is an aviator? I hope you like this nice study showing the bombs, the soldier (aviator?) and the height comparison between the two subjects. Regards Brian

I can see what you are getting at and can't disagree with you. I think my opinion is based on collecting coins many years ago. My father passed down this attitude of not cleaning a coin [medal] as the patina was treasures by many. So, when I thought about it a little more, I am convinced that it is just a matter of personal taste. If and/or when you clean it and post the results I know I for one will more than likely praise your decision. Regards Brian

I wouldn't. This question comes up from time to time and it is a matter of personal taste. I wouldn't attenpt to explain my view for the very reason that it is a personal view. If you decide to clean it please post the results, I for one will enjoy enjoy viewing it either way and respect your choice. Regards Brian

WOW! Amazing additions as usual Kevin. Thanks for posting them. Regards Brian

Hi Paul, Nice group and with the documentation even better. Researching WWII service men and women is tough as the records are sealed. There must be a way as I have several researched documents from the Archives so someone must know how to obtain them, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to add thhem to my collection. I too hope some of the members can shed light on this question. Regards Brian

Hi Mervyn, War propaganda is an interesting subject and borderline political enough to really be an exciting subject. Thanks for posting these cards. Hi Chris, Thanks for the images from the "other side". Regards Brian

A very good idea indeed, thanks Nick. As Mervyn points out it could be an unending project, much like our collections; much to the chagrin of my wife. I too have often thought that the material on the GMIC is an invaluable source of reference eclipsing most printed books currently on the market. Published booklettes? An interesting suggestion Mervyn; and we have so many, like yourself who have authored books within our membership. Regards Brian