bigjarofwasps

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/uk-politics/2110888/coronavirus-support-grows-to-honour-frontline-nhs-workers-with-medal-after-crisis/amp/

The Irish Times 4th April 2020.

Nick, thought this might be of interest? https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/302613

As things have developed, I'm now inclined to agree with you, that a Covid 19 medal would far outweigh the amount of Ebola medals issued and as such it is becoming more and more unlikely, even if such an award had been considered, in the first place? However having said that who many WW2 defence medals or indeed WW2 war medals and 1939-45 stars, were issued. Not everyone involved in the war effort qualified for any or indeed all? I would also suggest that perhaps any purposed Covid 19 medal, should be aimed at those that didn't have a real choice whether they went to work or not, medical staff and the emergency services for instance. I fully appreciate that other organisations are doing a sterling job, but unlike the aforementioned public services, other organisations could just stop going to work if things started getting too dangerous?

Very interesting little set of medals there Alan, thanks for sharing them with us!!!!!!!

I must admit Mark McM, I share your enthusiasm for the Khedive's Star. Especially if you can find named examples, of which I have two in my collection, both named to men from the 1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment. The first one being...... 172 Pte Edward BECKINGHAM 1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment Joined Reading 1st February 1882 aged 19. Labourer by trade. Height 5` 7" Complexion Fresh Eyes Hazel Hair Brown Religion Church of England Medical History and date arrived in station Gosport 15.02.1882 Egypt 24.11.82 Gibraltar 21.05.1883 09.07.83 - 13.07.1883 fever. 10.05.1884 - 26.05.1884 ailment unreadable Cairo 29.08.1884 Suakin 26.01.1885 07.05.1885 Eczsma Cairo 27.05.1885 Wadi Halfa 14.11.1886 20.11.1885 - 03.12.1885 Eczsma Ramleh 30.04.1886 Malta 22.05.1886 Service History Home 30.01.82 - 10.11.1882 Egypt 11.11.82 - 11.05.1883 Gibraltar 12.05.83 - 20.08.84 Egypt 21.08.1884 - 22.05.1886 Malta 23.05.86 - 21.12.89 Home 01.01.90 - 29.01.95 Campaigns served on Eastern Sudan 1882 & Nile Frontier 1885-6 Medals Egypt Medal 1885 clasps Suakin 1885 & Tofrek, Khedive's Star 1884-86 Record of service Egypt Campaign Beckingham was present with the regiment during the battle of Tofrek & Ginnis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tofrek https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ginnis Malta 1886 25 May 1886 Half a battalion, (310 men), returned from Egypt (Suakin Expedition). It was stationed in Pembroke Camp for 7 months. The other half (4 coys) moved to Cyprus on 30 May 1886. BECKINGHAM was part of the Malta contingent, had an average strength of 164 men. Of which there were 89 admissions into hospital. 1887 The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment (half battalion) had an average strength of 397 men and was quartered at Fort Ricasoli. Men from Fort Ricasoli would have supplied the infantry support for the protection of Fort Renilla and the Armstrong Gun. The battalion suffered 3 deaths in 1887 and 3 men were sent home as invalids. Large scale Cholera outbreak amongst the civilian population. 1888 3 Feb 1888 HQ Coy and half a battalion embarked at Cyprus and disembarked in Malta on 9 February. The battalion was quartered in Cottonera and Forrest Hospital. The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 790 men (8 coys). The battalion suffered 4 deaths and 4 men were returned to England as invalids. 1889 The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 857 men (8 coys). Suffering 6 deaths and 10 invalids returned to England. The battalion was at Fort Ricasoli for 7 and a half months and at Lower St Elmo Barracks for 4 and a half months. It had detachments at Pembroke Camp. Pte John Andrews drowned following an altercation with a boatman who had ferried him across the Grand Harbour to Fort Ricasoli. Subsequently, scuffles broke out between soldiers from the fort and the local inhabitants. The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1889: 13 Aug Pte Francis James. 18 Aug Infant William Cripps aged 1 day, son of CSgt W Cripps. 9 Oct Pte Arthur Dicker, aged 23 years. 25 Nov Pte John Cofton, aged 29 years. Transferred to the reserve 05.01.90 Absent with leave 05.01.90 - 05.07.90 Marries Margaret FERGUSON on the 15th February 1894 at 3 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. Margaret is documented as being a widow. Discharged 29.07.94 The second example being... 1009 Pte William Young 1st Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment Born Newbury, Berkshire Joined the Berkshire Regiment on the 8th July 1884 at Reading. Aged 19 Occupation Labour Height 5` 4 1/4" Eyes blue Hair brown Religion Church of England Enlisting for 12 years. Next of kin - brother Joseph box man Newbury Berks. Served Home (Chatham) 08.02.1884 to 04.10.1885, during his time in Chatham he had several spells in hospital for various ailments including, some sort of wound to his foot. But most notably he contracted Syphilis spending two months in hospital. He clearly didn't learn from this experience as a month later he is admitted to hospital with gonorrhea. Egypt 05.10.1885 to 22.05.1886 Of the 230 days in Egypt he spent 64 in hospital. 05.10.1885 arrive in Egypt moves up to Wadi Haifia to join the regiment. 24.11.1885 in hospital for 11 days discharged 04.12.1885 (conjuntivitis) Wadi Haifia. 12.12.11885 in hospital for 20 days discharged 31.12.1885 (rheumatic fever) no location given. But as a result of this he missed the Battle fo Ginnis. The last engagement of the campaign. 02.01.1886 in hospital for 23 days discharged 25.01.1886 (rheumatic fever) Assuan. 22.05.1886 leaves Egypt. Despite the numerous hospital admissions, he was entitled to the Egypt Medal undated (Nile Frontier 1885 - 1886, (but I don't believe his medal would have had any clasps) and the Khedives Star 1884-1886). Malta 23.05.1886 to 21.02.1892 1886 25 May 1886 Half a battalion, (310 men), returned from Egypt (Suakin Expedition). It was stationed in Pembroke Camp for 7 months. The other half (4 coys) moved to Cyprus on 30 May 1886. Young was part of the Malta contingent, had an average strength of 164 men. Of which there were 89 admissions into hospital. Young was admitted to hospital twice in 1886 suffering from gonorrhea on both occasions. 1887 The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment (half battalion) had an average strength of 397 men and was quartered at Fort Ricasoli. Men from Fort Ricasoli would have supplied the infantry support for the protection of Fort Renilla and the Armstrong Gun. The battalion suffered 3 deaths in 1887 and 3 men were sent home as invalids. Young is again admitted into hospital with time suffering from a hydrocele. 1888 3 Feb 1888 HQ Coy and half a battalion embarked at Cyprus and disembarked in Malta on 9 February. The battalion was quartered in Cottonera and Forrest Hospital. The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 790 men (8 coys). The battalion suffered 4 deaths and 4 men were returned to England as invalids. 1889 The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 857 men (8 coys). Suffering 6 deaths and 10 invalids returned to England. The battalion was at Fort Ricasoli for 7 and a half months and at Lower St Elmo Barracks for 4 and a half months. It had detachments at Pembroke Camp. Pte John Andrews drowned following an altercation with a boatman who had ferried him across the Grand Harbour to Fort Ricasoli. Subsequently, scuffles broke out between soldiers from the fort and the local inhabitants. The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1889: 13 Aug Pte Francis James. 18 Aug Infant William Cripps aged 1 day, son of CSgt W Cripps. 9 Oct Pte Arthur Dicker, aged 23 years. 25 Nov Pte John Cofton, aged 29 years. 1890 The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 875 men. Suffering 4 deaths and 16 invalids returned to England. The battalion was at Marsamxetto Barracks and Lower St Elmo Barracks for 12 months with detachments at Pembroke Camp for 9 months. The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1890: 6 Aug Infant William F Waldeck aged 10 months, son of Sgt Waldeck. 11 Aug Infant Elizabeth C Bell aged 7 months, daughter of Sgt Bell. 20 Aug Infant Flores Annie Jones aged 10 months, daughter of Sgt Jones. 13 Oct Pte Frank Clarke aged 22 years. 5 Nov Child Victoria Jubilee Waldeck aged 3 years. 25 Nov Cpl Frederick Tyson aged 22 years. 19 Dec Pte E Turner aged 24 years 11 months. 1891 The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 995 men.Suffered 7 deaths and 20 invalids returned to England. The battalion was quartered at Marsamxetto Barracks and Lower St Elmo Barracks for 12 months. 22 Sep F Griffiths aged 19 years died at Cottonera and was buried in Rinella Military Cemetery. The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1891: 30 Jan Pte W Jackson aged 28 years. 14 Feb Pte F Buckland aged 28 years. 8 Aug Mrs Elizabeth Claydon aged 26 years wife of Sgt Claydon. 18 Aug T Bicknell aged 20 years. Sep Infant A Claydon aged 4 months. 8 Oct Pte H Hunt aged 21 years. 30 Dec Ernest Lovelock aged 25 years. 1892 The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 1004 men. The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment was quartered at Lower St Elmo Barracks for 12 months. It had detachments at Fort Mosta and Fort St Angelo. However Young leaves the battalion in February and returns home to England, where he surfs out the remainder of his enlistment. Home 22.02.1892 to 01.02.1896 Discharged 1st Feb 1896

The French appear to have an award for such circumstances as well.... http://themedalhound.com/frenchmoh/main.html

Very well presented Antonio, am impressed!!!

Seems the Spanish, have given some thought to an award honouring those involved in the fight against Covid 19.

Interesting thread!! Is there a web link to the actual page?

But what would the criteria for such a medal be? I would suggest that those defined as "key workers" should qualify. Key workers being defined as those who didn't have a choice whether they stood the chance of being exposed to the virus. Certainly all the emergency services and military should qualify? But what about qualifying time? The Ebola Medal criteria was "21 days of continuous service or 30 days accumulated service on working visits of 48 hours or more to the operating area." Qualifying time for the Covid Medal could be 90 days accumulated service, from the 28 February 2020 until a date to be specified? Medals could be engraved with the recipients name and perhaps rank if applicable? Position of wear, medal would be worn before the Ebola Medal but after any Long Service Medal. I believe the National Crime Agency Long Service and Good Conduct Medal would hold this distinction?

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/vets-say-their-iraq-commitment-medals-never-arrived-so-they-re-raising-money-to-pay-for-their-own-1.596181 https://www.kennedyinsignia.com/iraq-commitment-medal

Saw this earlier, thought it might make an interesting topic for discussion? https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/le ... esponders/ Although this would appear to be an American award. There was the Ebola Medal. https://www.identifymedals.com/database/medals-by-period/post-ww2-medals/the-ebola-medal-for-service-in-west-africa/ Wonder whether we'll see a Covid 19 medal at sometime in the future?

Have been fortunate enough to be able to reunite SCHOLES’s 1902 Coronation Medal with his 1897 Jubilee Medal and his 1911 Coronation Medal and complete his full trio entitlement.

I agree the issue pending scenario would be the most likely. But still an interesting photo all the same.

James ENDICOTT Born 14 Feb 1862, in Leigh, Devon. Married Esther Bone, Kensington 1884. Joined the Metropolitan Police on the 7th May 1888 and posted to K Division, warrant number 73628. Given his address and the fact that Limehouse Police Station was still being built in 1888 it is highly likely that he was stationed at Poplar Police Station (given his address) at the time of the Rose Mylett murder, (she was suggested Ripper victim, who was murdered at 184-186 Clarke's Yard, High Street Poplar on the 20th December 1888). Lived at 74 Hind Street, Poplar. Listed on census (1891,1901 & 1911) as occupation Police Constable. Gave evidence at the Old Bailey on the 26th July 1897 (at this time he was stationed at Limehouse Police Station), in a murder trial (arresting officer collar number 424K, 27th May 1897). https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18970726-507&div=t18970726-507&terms=Endicott#highlight Retired 12 May 1913, having served his entire service in K Division (Poplar/Limehouse area) and moved to Cheltenham, Living 24 Naunton Crescent (939 registry retired constable) Died 1941 Cheltenham. Staying on the subject of K Division, a post from a few years back which might be of interest?

Syliva HULME Born August 1950 (originally from Kinmel Bay) Went to school at Abergele Grammar (Emrys ap Iwan) - photo dated April 1967 Police Cadet 17th July 1967 joined Flintshire Constabulary WPC Collar number 52 and then became 1252, when WPC's become PC's. Stationed at Deeside 1970-72 Hawarden 1974 -76 (circ) Buckley 1975 Flint 1983 (circ) Holywell 1983 (circ) Mold 1991 (front desk) Mold 1996 (retired) Prestatyn (Traffic Dept at some point) Played on the Force Net Ball Team and was also a Fed Rep and was Narpo treasurer. Lived at 16 Cae Y Dderwen, Greenfield, Holywell. Died 23rd October 2016 aged 69. Assets £905,873.

The book does come up from time to time and always commands a premium for some reason, certainly worthy of a reprint. I have concerns about whether LEESON was a bit of a fantasist, as I seem to recall he claims to have seen Jack the Ripper on a train in Australia years later....... Walter DEW’s book is worth a read and a lot cheaper. He had a confirmed involvement in the Ripper case.

......£216 plus postage and packing!!! Who’d have thought!!!!!

A few years back, this medal sold on EBay. Bit of conjecture as to whether he did actually attend the COLES murder scene after hearing THOMPSON’s whistle. Is £320 a bit steep? I don’t know, he was certainly wounded at Sidney Street.

Agreed, would be interesting to see what this fetches and whether is is because it’s to a female or because of the unusual naming or both!!! Can’t imagine there being many female LSGC recipients during the 50’s and 60’s? Would be interesting to know whether as a female member of CID, if she was involved in any high profile cases that occurred during that period?

It appears that.................. The death of a Hilda Doris COLES was recorded in Lambeth, London in the third quarter of 1985. Her birth date is stated to be 3rd August 1913. Norfolk baptism records show Hilda Doris WARD of 1, Beckham Road, Lowestoft, birth date 3rd August 1913, so that seems to check out. Her marriage to William A. COLES was registered at Hendon in the first quarter of 1940. The 1939 register says he was a Special Constable. No trace of Hilda can be found on the 1939 census, so perhaps she was serving in the forces when it was compiled, female personnel often left the forces on marriage in those early days, so one theory could be that her police service started around 1940, which could date the LSGC to circa 1960. This would certainly account for the issue box, but not for why the W has been tippexed out? All in all a very interesting engraving anomaly!!

Thanks Peter, so if we're looking at no later than 1986 for the issue of this medal, so she must have joined around 1964? What's the latest usage of white cardboard boxes we can confirm?

That’s interesting Dave, Const WP as apposed to WPC. Found this... PD = Police Dog, so there can be no ambiguity with your box standard dog ?. Imagine the confusion if Police Detective was used instead of Detective Constable ???.

Very interesting Dave and something I will look into further!! Something else that's been pointed out to me is if you look closely at the label on the box lid, it appears as if the letter "W" has been deleted with correction fluid. As far as I'm aware the rank of WPC was still being used until 1999, but this type of box ceased to be used long before that?