Stuart Bates

It has been suggested that it may for Academy Staff (not regimentally listed) at "The Shop": Royal Military Academy, Woolwich". I found these illustrations in The Shop;" the story of the Royal Military Academy and it would seem that the two soldiers wearing the helmet, in each photo, have the RA plate, so no better off. Early RA helmets did have the spike but this was discontinued in August, 1881, this plate, of course, has the King's Crown. Stuart

I suspect that, if genuine, it must be some branch/sub-section of the Royal Engineers as the lack of the cannon mitigates against its being Royal Artillery. It was originally described as Royal Engineers and was changed to Royal Artillery when I informed the seller that that was doubtful because of the lack of the lower scroll. I then told him that it could not be RA because, once again, of the lack of the lower scroll, a cannon and the spike rather than the cup and ball. It is a lash-up as one can see that it has been re-badged. Certainly there were variations on the Ubique scroll in the area of the tails of the scroll and the plate is fitted far to low if it were once an RA plate. Look at the right hand tail of the scroll as compared to the left hand side. Perhaps it was cut down but not a bad job if so, but why? Much easier to get another plate that would fit although possibly expensive, and not RA because of the spike. Stuart

I have tried to identify the HP below but without success. It has the motto Ubique which should indicate either Royal Engineers or Royal Artillery but for both it lacks the scroll bearing Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt and for the RA it lacks the cannon. These mottoes were not allowed for the Militia, Volunteers or the Territorial Force. I thought perhaps Military Provost or General List but these of course do not have Ubique. Any help much appreciated. Stuart

Hi Patrick, looks to be in great condition. Pre-1891 so that means the scroll reads "The Shropshire Lt. Infty, yes? Regards, Stuart

Saved! I see that Boris Johnson has written a biography on Churchill titled The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History so no-one needs to write an article which would have been quite an exercise. Stuart

I did a search on Ayrshire cap badges and found many, but I am not knowledgeable in badges so cannot tell which are genuine or which one your are after. If you find a likely candidaste I have a Scottish friend who would be able to advise. Stuart

I found a shoulder belt plate to the 56th dated 1830-1855. It has the Gibraltar insignia and LVI but is burnished gilt and oblong in shape http://www.themilitarygentleman.com/ProdList.asp?CatId=66&is=true&f=CatList.asp|CatId=66 It is the 16th one on the page. Stuart

My references give the Staff pattern cap, adopted by officers in 1902, as being "army-blue with a French grey band and piping. Is it a Staff pattern or a pillbox? I see a reference to the regimental band, c1903, wearing a scarlet pillbox, with silver band and Hussar figuring to the top. Non-musicians wore a blue pillbox with a lace band, Hussar figuring and piping for senior NCOs and a white band with only a button to the top for ORs. Stuart

I was given this cartridge pouch but have no idea of its provenance. If anyone can help with an ID I would be most apreciative. Stuart

OK, it's not happening so I shall make a copy of the item so send me your address to stuartbates@bigpond.com Stuart

Oops, got the first one wrong. https://www.mediafire.com/?kwnnjaio93pr57r

Tony, Click on these links http://www.uniformology.com/UIDSPEC-08.html https://www.mediafire.com/?kwnnjaio93pr57r Best, Stuart

Tony, it's uploading but is taking an inordinate amount of time. Stuart

Tony, I have a CD called Tanks Again by Peter Payne & Jim MacDonald which covers the RTR onwards and I could find no mention of Flame Thrower tanks nor insignia. Stuart (PM if you like)

I had an Elgin 1911 fob watch that I wore in the 1970s, complete with chain and fob, which was given to me by my late father. The medallion was for his participation in the Northamptonshire cricket club and was a valued piece. Unfortunately it was stolen with a break-in and never recovered. Such is life. Stuart

Hi Tony, I should have mentioned that the "lot" also came with several original photos and I managed to get his full service record, so a bit of a coup. Stuart

Hi Tony, the watch runs for a short time, haven't actually measured that, but I do not feel inclined to take it to a watchmaker. Better left alone as I don't wear fob watches anymore, and I did for quite a few years Stuart

I guess, and that is what I am doing never having really got into any study of the origins of WWII, that what I am really saying is that no one man can be held responsible for such cataclysmic events. At least not in a Parliamentary Democracy, and to lay the blame totally at the feet of Chamberlain and also to call him a coward is cheap at best. Stuart

Chamberlain was "never called to the Colours" because he was too old, being 45 years of age in 1914. The limit for the Regular Army was 38 years and for the Special Reserve 40 years if not previously a regular soldier. Even the Derby Scheme, of 1915, only went to 1875 as its starting point and Chamberlain was born in 1869. Stuart

"Chamberlain's story is of a man who fought for peace as long as possible, and went to war only when it was the last available option. It's not such a bad epitaph." [Nick Baumann] This is a very interesting precis of the man called Neville Chamberlain and the situation he faced http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/09/neville_chamberlain_was_right_to_cede_czechoslovakia_to_adolf_hitler_seventy.html Stuart

I have never received a Christmas card from Brian, despite what he said Stuart An Anglo-Australian

Perhaps you should write the Churchill blog. Stuart

Got this military presentation watch engraved to a Trumpet Major of the 14th Hussars with a rather nice 14th Hussars pillbox cap and the owner's medals. Stuart

I am tempted by Brian's article to find out much, much more of this signature man. He may have been wrong about Adolf, and he was not alone, but what does one do with a madman? And mad he surely was. World domination is taking it a bit too far. Ressurecting one's country I can understand but at the expense of the rest of the world... NO! "Wet willy!" That seems rather unfair to a man who only wanted to save humanity from a repeat of the Great War - what was so "Great" about it? And never let us forget that it was Chamberlain who declared war on Germany. Stuart

A quite marvelous article on a character who has suffered much from the "popular history" mentioned by Brian. It is little known that Chamberlain kept Britain out of the Spanish Civil War and that he recognised Italy's supremacy in Ethiopia in 1938, when Italy already controlled three quarters of that country. This to sway Italy away from Germany - a futile gesture as it turned out. It should also be recognised that Premier Daladier of France was complicit, if that is the correct word, in the Munich Agreement. It is likely that Chamberlain's desire for peace was matched with his desire to ensure that Britain was able to defend itself. Churchill's eulogy just about sums up the man but it does not appear that the verdict of popular history has "stood him in good stead." Stuart