Jump to content
News Ticker
  • I am now accepting the following payment methods: Card Payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal
  • Latest News

    Ostrosky

    Basic Membership
    • Posts

      6
    • Joined

    • Last visited

    Profile Information

    • Location
      Howick, South Africa

    Ostrosky's Achievements

    Rookie

    Rookie (2/14)

    • One Year In
    • First Post
    • One Month Later
    • Conversation Starter
    • Week One Done

    Recent Badges

    0

    Reputation

    1. Good day, The gentlemen in the attached photos are my ancestors and I am interested in learning more about them. I live in South Africa and would also appreciate advice on internet sources. I understand the chevrons indicate a Fechtabzeichen 2nd Class. I have read that it is for proficiency with lance and/or sabre. Is that correct? Any other information on the uniforms, units and ranks, of these long lost ancestors will be highly appreciated.
    2. Unfortunately the name of the photographer does not appear on the back of that photo. The gentleman in the photo is a unnamed distant relation and I would be interested in his unit/branch of service and rank if that can be ascertained from the photo. Photos scans of the back of other photos that have been passed down to me are attached. Unfortunately, both my grandparents John Ostrosky and Theofila (Preuss) passed away while I was very young and I never knew them. If you are able to extract any information regarding my ancestors from the information an inscriptions on the back I would be most interested
    3. My apologies for not replying sooner. Thank you for your response and suggestions. I have tried the BSAP sites, photographs and members with little success. The archives in Harare might be a possibility but I would need someone to do the research on site. I haven't been back to Zimbabwe since 1982. I started writing a guide to Rhodesian swords for collectors but the project has expanded. I am working on Rhodesian sword of honour recipients, both at Sandhurst pre-UDI and at the School of Infantry in Gwelo. I'm trying to finish this while some are still with us. Further research and digging may have to wait until I finish editing my non-fiction account of starting the Tembe Elephant Park. Regards Ed Ostrosky
    4. My limited research indicates that the sword may be a Imperial German Cuirassier's sword with its flat pommel. Can more knowledgeable members identify the uniform and sword? On line references will also be appreciated.
    5. Hi v. Perlet. I've tried quite a few sites, Rhodesian and African Military History, Rhodesian War Veterans, and pages for specific units, but not the two you mention. Still, quite a lot is coming in and I'm very glad I limited my research to Rhodesia and not Southern Africa. The BSA Police is most interesting as they started as mounted infantry with cavalry traditions and swords up to WW II. I'm still trying to get the date and orders for the change over to infantry swords. All Rh Army swords are 1897 pattern by Wilkinson - until UDI/Republic when blades by various German makers were imported. Thanks for the suggestions. Regards Ed Ostrosky
    6. I am trying to gather enough information and photographs to compile a paper or guide to Rhodesian (Southern Rhodesian) swords of all services and branches. I have good information on the Rhodesian Corps of Engineers and Rhodesian Light Infantry but require more examples of swords used by the Rhodesia Regiment, Armoured Cars, SAS, BSAP, Air Force and various service corps. Information on batches of swords provided by Wilkinson with beginning and end serial numbers will be most helpful, as will records or information on sales by WKC and Eickhorn. Swords must have some type of verifiable provenance, i.e. documentation or verification by the officer or family members. Army orders and documentation regarding wear and sword knots of various ranks will be most helpful. Unfortunately we that served in Rhodesia's forces are in the autumn of our lives and this needs to be done while first hand information and sources are still available. The photo shows a E II R Engineer's Sword by Wilkinson and a Infantry sword made by WKC.
    ×
    ×
    • Create New...

    Important Information

    We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.