deptfordboy

Thanks for that Dave, really informative as ever. Wow, that sounds exciting, seems I had a lucky first 'dip' into researching these! I will share the detailed info on these medals when I get it in. Cheers Gilbert

Thanks Guys, Ok, here comes the 'newbie' question: Is there anything in particular which makes a Russian medal desirable because it is for a KIA? What I mean is, whilst I can understand why a Brit medal to a KIA is more valuable, because there is more research potential and details available via the CWGC, is there a similar situation with Russian soldiers KIA? Cheers Gilbert

Morning Gents, A quick update on this - apparently the research has been done and all the medals were a 'hit' with exception of the MM#5055. Apparently the OGPW2 was to a KIA, burned alive in a tank - sounds like a sad tale behind that one. Once I get the research I will be sure to share here. Cheers Gilbert

Blimey Ed, that's a humbling display - thanks for sharing! Gilbert

Nice medal Paul, Here is my example plus bar "Afghanistan NWF 1919", awarded with a WW1 pair to 240868 Alfred Taylor, Private in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Cheers Gilbert

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Hi Gents, I thought I would add a humble WW1 pair from my collection. BWM and Victory to Lieutenant Cecil W Habrow. Lieut Habrow was one of the first officers to be commissioned (as 2 lieut) into the 11th (Lewisham) Battalion, the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment after they were raised in late 1915. Habrow is mentioned a number of times in my copy of the Battalion History, both as a talented musician at training camp and as one of the officers leading 'C' company, and stayed with them until their move to the Somme, where they suffered disastrous losses. Our man transferred to the RFC, later RAF, gained promotion as a full Lieutenant, and trained as a wireless operator. He survived the war, and was discharged to the unemployed list in 1919. Front and reverse view, plus a snap of our man at training camp in Aldershot. Cheers Gilbert

Very nice indeed - well worth researching! Gilbert

Thanks Guys, Yes, on the price I learnt a valuable lesson, if you see something for a reasonable (as supposed to ludicrous - some guy wanted ?50 to Brit WW1 RA pairs!) price at a fair, don't hang about as it won't be there for long! There was also an order of Lenin with book for ?495, also tempting but a high number. You live and learn... Gilbert

Afternoon Gents. I was at a medals fair in Bromley (South London) recently. One of the more reputable dealers there had an Order of the October Revolution with its award booklet. The order was engraved with a low number (around 7,900 mark) and looked good based on what I know from Mcdaniel bible and my medal at home. The booklet was brown, embossed in gold script and looked in very good condition. It had a single entry for the order, with matching number and an award date of 1981. The price was OK (around ?130) so I thought I'd take a stroll round the other tables and come back in 5 min's to make an offer. Now as you can probably guess, by the time I got back someone else had already bought it. My question is, did I miss out or is the booklet dodgy? My reasons for being suspicious are that such a low number would have been awarded before 1981? Thanks in Advance Gilbert

Quick update on this: a number of the researchable medals are currently being worked on. Many thanks to Dave for his help. Will let you know the results when they come in. Cheers Gilbert

Thanks, I will measure the cross tonight and get back to you. John, where do you see a casting line? That way I can focus on the area in question in further pic's. Gilbert

Hmm, that doesn't sound good. Does anyone else have an opinion? Please? Gilbert

Lastly, indoor shot face on (weather is disgusting in London today!)

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Afternoon Gents, This badge has been in my collection a while. I know there are a lot of Schwerin fakes, so wanted to ask the opinion of the learned members here. Many Thanks in Advance Gilbert

Hi Tony, That's sad to hear about the medals being nicked - how did it happen? My Great Grandfather was in the 19th (St Pancras) London Regiment, was gassed but survived, gave his medals to my Granny, and they were them nicked out of a tea-chest when they moved in the 1960's. I still hope that they will surface on Ebay one day... Gilbert

That's the nature of the beast I guess Graeme! Gilbert

Super items Tony, good to see you have been keeping busy! Just the QSA to Forrester now and you can stop collecting Gilbert

That is a JAW-DROPPING group - thanks for sharing. He certainly got about a bit - fantastic research project! Gilbert

Hi Tony, I have one of these too, always make me chuckle with its 'Mr Chumley-Warner' tone. From the first-hand accounts I have read, I don't think too many soldiers took much notice of Kitchener's exhortations concerning wine and women! Cheers Gilbert

Really interesting and poignant story - thanks for sharing! Cheers Gilbert

Is that your Mary tin Tony? If so, that's a SUPER set, you can't upgrade from that. I have one too, without the goodies but containing medals... Cheers Gilbert