Stuart Bates

Hi Chris, yes I phrased it badly. I just got back from a walk with the dogs and realised the poor terminology, and so was going to correct it but you beat me to it. Can you explain the yellow facings? I thought all English regiments had white facings at this time, except of course, royal regiments. I don't know if VB were different. Stuart

I looked at the Army Lists from 1900 to 1913 and found H. Lomax as follows - 6th Jan 1900 - Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Regiment 10th Sept. 1901 - Promoted to Lieutenant in the same regiment 14th May 1904 - Transferred to 2nd Volunteer Battalion Manchester Regiment as Lieutenant I have no lists for 1907-1910 but in the list of 1911 he had moved to the 6th Volunteer battalion presumably as a result of the 1908 reorganisation. The two stars to the shoulder cords indicated a Lieutenant from 1902, prior to that 2 stars indicated a captain. He does not appear in the Army List of 1913. Stuart

Need some help on this one. The Dress Regs for 1883, 1891, 1894 and 1900* all state that the chinchain for the Home Service Helmet was of links 5/8" wide and the strap lined with patent leather, backed with black velvet (officers only). In discussions with collector/friends and dealers it seems that 3/4" links are at least as common as the prescribed 5/8". The same is also true of the Foreign Service helmet with some being fitted with 1" wide chains and even one example with a Guards Bearskin chinchain. My own collection, and those of friends, contain both widths of chinchain. I can find no regulations to support the 3/4" but the Victorian/Edwardian army was notorious for ignoring dress regulations, especially on active service. * It is interesting to note that the 1900 DRs specify 3/8" for the Foreign Service Helmet but this is obviously a mistake. The DRs of 1904, 1911 specify 5/8" as did those preceding. Anyone any ideas? Stuart

On the subject of the Canadian badge I found this - "After the First World War, when the issue of battle honours was being decided, the RCA asked permission to use "Ubique" in place of "Canada" in recognition of distinguished overseas service in all campaigns. This was approved by King George V on 5 August 1926, and promulgated by G042/1927 the next year." As to the moveable wheel I got this reply from the Royal Artillery Museum - "The wheel on the officers' helmet plate and cap badge was not made to move. On the whole they were "played with" or "aggressively cleaned" until the rivet became loose and the wheel moved. During both World Wars the Canteens sold badges with a purpose made moving wheel, but for sale to Other Ranks only." Some of my collector/dealer friends dispute this but I'll go with the horse's mouth for the time being. Stuart

servicepub, I started out by using glass heads but quickly found that the majority of headdress was far too small. I now use perspex tubes with generous fabric padding to the top and this seems to work well. I toyed with the idea of lining the tubes with black paper but never progressed that idea - might take it up again. And yes the ceramic heads would be too expensive now and may suffer the same problem as the glass ones, not to mention the shipping costs. Laurence, no problems. Sharing is what the forum is all about. I am expecting a Royal Artillery blue cloth any day now as I have had my interest in these helmets rekindled and only had 1 ball top - now 2, soon to go to 3. Stuart

Hi Servicepub, these are a couple of nice helmets and in very good condition. I have seen a few Canadian helmets through the years and was once tempted by a GG's Body Guard but stuck to British. These helmets are based on the 1871 pattern of Heavy Cavalry but you probably already know that. BTW: what material are the heads you use for mounting the helmets made of? Cheers, Stuart

My latest acquisitions - Lanarkshire Engineer Volunteers Aryshire & Galloway Artillery Volunteers

The 42nd regiment and the 73rd (Perthshire) combined on 1st July 1881 to form The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). stuart

I got this response from the National Army Museum, London. I replied - thanks for the information but I located the owner as Major General Walter Adams Coxen of the A.I.F. of WWI. He was an artilleryman not cavalry. Check out this bio http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080146b.htm.I feel that the tin was designed to hold 2 helmets and such a tin was listed in the Army & Navy Catalogue of 1907 of which I have a copy. Stuart

Hello Peter, I'm blushing from all of this positive feedback and yes Aussies are a friendly lot, even to Poms when they are winning at cricket, and are always ready for a beer or two. Stuart Staffordshire Yeomanry pre 1871

Dear Jim, I know a lot of collectors are very secretive about their collections but obviously I'm not. What I have is not solely for my private pleasure, although I derive a great deal of that, but these treasures are to be shared. Once again, thanks for your kind comments. Stuart Forage Cap circa 1840

Thanks Jim, your comments are greatly appreciated. I went into a hiatus of collecting for several years, many reasons, but I'm back now and the feedback from the forum has just reinforced my determination to add to my collection. In fact I just ordered another helmet yesterday, the 4th this year. Actually, my friend Peter S was most instrumental in rekindling my interest. Here is another of my favourites, London Volunteers Tarleton Helmet circa 1810 Stuart

I forgot to add my current favourite - a Georgian Furness Yeomanry Helmet

Thanks for the kind words, Chris. Collecting has been a labour of love but researching has been damned hard work! Stuart

Thanks for the compliment, Peter. I hope that one day you will make it to Australia and see it in the flesh. I have been to the US at least 10 times so over to you. Stuart

Bonjour Jerome, that will be a very useful research site I'm sure. What I can't reconcile is the pointed cuffs to the tunic. The 1913 dress regs for India just refer to the British equivalent and I don't have any of those after 1900. STuart

Hello Jeff, I get my Army Lists from www.youroldbooksandmaps.co.uk they are available on CD or sometimes DVD and I have found them very helpful indeed. Stuart

Hi Jeff, is the name to the label C. Barwis or C. Baiwis? I found C.A.W.Barwis in some army lists as follows - 1915 - Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant 15 Aug 1914. On the unattached list for the Indian Army. 1922 - Promoted to Captain 7 Aug 1918. In the Indian Army. 1923 - as for 1922 1926 - doesn't appear The buttons are described in the Dress Regulations India 1913 for officers on the unattached list awaiting admission to the Indian Army ie. Gilt, burnished with Tudor Crown (post 1901) and scalloped edge. A 2nd Lieutenant wore one star, a captain 3 stars on the shoulder cord for the Indian Army. Is the lace to the cuffs gold or silver (I'm colour blind). One reference states that In 1902 cuffs again became pointed and back skirts acquired slashed flaps with buttons. However, the 1900 Dress Regulations has photos showing pointed cuffs but with Austrian knots for regular infantry. The tunic is definitely 1902+ and full dress was not re-issued to the bulk of the army after WWI. If all of the above is true then the 2nd Lieutenant rank star holds true. Stuart

Hi Doc, I just had a look at your site and went straight to the British section - what else for me? When I saw the VC I thought how lucky can one get and how much did it cost. They fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars here in Oz but, alas, it is a museum copy. I specialize in British Headdress 1768-1914 and can't begin to understand how much research is involved in collecting militaria from around the world. I find it a full-time job with just my speciality. BTW: check this out http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12016 if you haven't already. Stuart

OK Mark, 5th Royal Irish Lancers 17th Lancers Gentleman At Arms I've got to rephotograph most of these but first I have to setup a good environment for doing so. Stuart

Mark, I just had a look at your site. A wealth of information there and some very, very nice uniforms - naturally I went straight to the British section. Where did you source your Army Lists? I get mine from www.youroldbooksandmaps.co.uk and currently have 26 on CD/DVD and 2 in original book form. As to the condition you have to pay for that. As my friend Peter S says "I have to admit I'm the type of collector who often pays 'next' year's prices. I am actually sometimes surprised by the collectors who only want a 'deal.' " and I wholeheartedly agree. Stuart

Yes, I removed both sets of chinscales as I was initially going to send them to a specialist. I placed the chinscales on an old T shirt, placed polyethylene under the leaf to be cleaned and wore nitrile gloves (Thanks Peter M for pointing me to the Conserve O Gram). Stuart

Here is the result of my cleaning efforts with ammonia. I ended up using a dilution rate of 60ml of Cloudy Ammonia to 500ml of water and applied it with a soft toothbrush. I used polyurethene "cling wrap" between the leaves to protect the leather and stitching underneath. I could have taken it further but decided to match the other scales as closely as possible (both sides). The photo doesn't really do it justice but I am happy with the results. Thanks to all who offered assistance. Stuart

OK Mark, here are a few more 1768 Pattern Mitre Cap to the 9th Foot 1818 Pattern 2nd Dragoon Guards Volunteer Engineers HSH Stuart

Mark, you are correct, it is a Gentleman at Arms with Queen Victoria crown. My current favourite is the Furness Yeomanry diagonally below the GAA. As to posting more am I allowed to or will I run foul of the authorities? Stuart