deptfordboy

Hi, I am certainly a beginner in this field but I would be suspect of the 'patina' on the back of the OGPW1, which appears too oily and looks to have been applied chemically, they even splashed some on the edges of the brass suspension? But hey, what do I know as it seems to be going for big bucks right now... Cheers Gilbert

Fascinating pictures, I now know a little more about these relics - thanks for sharing! Gilbert

Hallo Again Gents, The latest addition to my small collection is another original volume to a Royal West Kent Battalion. The 8th saw a lot of action in France & Belgium following its formation in September 1914. No author is listed (a joint effort), and it was printed privately in 1921. This volume consists of accounts of engagements in Loos, Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge and its part in the final advance against Germany which led to the armistice in 1918. There is a list of honours (including one VC) and descriptions of the acts which led to them. As ever, I am interested to hear from anyone who also has an original copy, and I am happy to do lookups. Cheers Gilbert

Thanks Tony, I may well take you up on that if I have a chap who joined in Surrey. Meanwhile, I have done a little research and tracked down a few details of the chap who once owned my copy of the book. George W Osborne was appointed Sergeant in Dec 1915 and was wounded on 5/10/1916. According to his MIC, he was entitled to the BWM/Vic pair, it would be great to reunite his battalion history with the medals... who knows? Cheers Gilbert

Very nice, especially the items with maker mark to the backing - thanks for sharing. I for one have seldom seen a Memel presented like that. cheers Gilbert

Nice items Chris - they do indeed look sinister - reminds me of the animations in Pink Floyd's The Wall.

Hi Gents, My Xmas present from the missus this year was another rather rare history to a SE London unit. This is the original 1920 edition - a nice touch is the sticker inserted proclaiming that 'A copy of this book has been presented to His Majesty the King'. My copy belonged to George W Osborne (haven't managed to identify him. The 2/20th had a distinguished record in France, the Middle East and Germany. The history features detailed accounts of call-up, engagements with the enemy, Roll of Honour, awards and details of officers and NCO's. Naturally, I am happy to do lookups for any soldiers or events concerning the 2/20th, and would also be interested if any other forum member has an original copy. Cheers Gilbert

What a relaxed, happy gathering - like Christmas with my in-laws! The telly showing Eastenders is just out of shot...

Blimey, I stand corrected! Only a bit of fun, I didn't follow the Duck to see where it went but simply assumed it would visit St Pauls. I'm sure you have all the relevant qualifications and checks, and the tourists I saw looked very happy. If you fancy giving me a free ticket I will be more than happy to big up the service! Good on you and a Happy Xmas. Gilbert

Yes, I have seen these things in and out of the water in London. My old office was right on the river and there is a ramp for entering the water. The yellow 'duck' would come off the Thames and onto this ramp, then trundle ever so slowly onto St Pauls so the tourists within could gawp at the cathedral. I must say, it doesn't look too sea-worthy and I'm surprised Health & Safety aren't on to them ! Gilbert

Hi Barney, It's great to hear you are keeping this Battalion's memory alive. I for one will keep an eye out, and look forward to learning more - put me down for a copy when the book's finished! Cheers Gilbert

Hi All, Blood orders have particularly interested me due to the fact they can be linked with a person and/or important political event (the Putsch). I understand that there were 2 issues, and that the number/recipient index for the first issue has been found. I was looking on a well-known dealer's site where a 2nd issue blood order was listed. The dealer argued that, 'when' the index for the 2nd issue is found, prices will rocket. That got me thinking as to the likelihood of this happening - do the learned gents here know where the 1st issue list was found, and what might be a likely source for discovery of the 2nd? Is this a realistic expectation, or just snappy salesmanship? Thanks Gilbert

Many thanks for your input Guys, Just to clarify, as a rule of thumb which types of orders are unresearchable without the accompanying book? Dave, that's a shame if I can't research the Military Merit, as it's a nice low number. Is this due to records not being kept that early? Finally, do you have any recommedations as to who I should get to do the research? Cheers Gilbert

Evening Gents, After lots of 'lurking' and in this corner of the forum, I have decided to make the step of learning more about the stories behind some of the Russian medals I have collected. I must admit, I started picking them up from an aesthetic point of view, they are so nice looking (must be a 'bling' streak in me ) Anyway, now I have built up a few modest pieces, I wanted to ask the advice of yourselves as to which of these might produce the most interesting results research-wise? It doesn't make sense money-wise to research them all, so a 'top 3' recommendations would be most helpful as a starting point. They are as follows: OGPW 2nd Class #815628 OGPW 1st Class #130658 Medal for Combat Service #5055 Order Red Star #818952 Order Red Star #1865385 Order of Glory 3rd Class #677891 Order of Badge of Honour #128359 Order for Service to the Homeland in the Soviet Armed Forces, 3rd class, #123167 Cheers, Gilbert

Nice find! I suspect there would be a LOT of interest should you consider selling that piece! Gilbert

Thanks for the info Rick. Someone must have wanted it bad as it went for over ?200! The basic design is not a million miles away from that of the Order of the Red Banner, which is probably why the seller described it as a order. this has aroused my curiosity so I will see if I can find out more when I get a chance via trusty google. Cheers Gilbert

Hi All, This medal is currently up for sale on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Soviet-Russian-Medal...1QQcmdZViewItem I don't recognise this one - is it a fake? Please put me out of my misery, Thanks Gilbert

Hi Tony, Yes I remember the recruiting office too - I used to anger my Mum as a kid with my assurances that I would enlist there when I grew up As far as I remember it's now a hairdressers/bathroom shop - sign of the times I guess. I will provide more details on the brothers but they are proving hard to find on the 1901 census. On another note, I have a WW1 pair to a RWK Catford man who was a POW which is proving interesting... I'll post up some findings soon I promise. Cheers Gilbert

You've aroused my curisosity- where was the 20th enlistment point in Blackheath, Tony? I know the 11th West Kent recruited at Lewisham Town Hall in Catford - would the 20th have enlisted men at what is now the Territorial Base on the Heath, or in the town itself? John, do you have your ftaher's B'Heath address - it's likely still standing... Cheers Gilbert

Hi All, I have seen frames from time to time - usually in antique shops rather than medal fairs etc. I suspect they are a relatively frequent purchase for middle class families of officers, most often with casualties, which incorporate the 'death penny'. The Harrods label is a nice touch, though it can get even more interesting if you have a frame made locally to the soldier - I saw one which was made up to a Wimbledon officer casualty and the framers was still there - in fact only closed about a year ago, to make way for luxury flats (naturallY). Cheers Gilbert

Finally, here is the group all together. I have picked up about half a dozen singles and groups to Lewisham men from the 11th RWK and 20th London, including one chap who was born literally down the road from me, I'll post up details if there is interest. Thanks for Looking, Gilbert

And here are the medals to his brother, Pte William G Hicks 16003, who was entitled to 1915 trio, and a Silver Wound Badge, now missing. William was in the Middx Regiment, and later transferred to the Labour Corps. So far, I have been unlucky finding either of them on the 1901 census, so I don't know where exactly they lived. I will get these researched at some point and maybe we will learn more...

Hi All, I have been caught up with all things domestic recently, but still managed to pick up quite a few bits and pieces. Here is a grouping which covers both my areas of interest, medals to brothers and Southeast London. Joseph J Hicks served as private 29838, first in the 20th London Regiment, then the Royal West Kent. I checked in my Regimental History of the 11th Lewisham Battalion of the RW Kent, so more research will be needed to find out which Battalion. Joseph was entitled to the BWM and Victory pair, which are displayed here with his aluminium dogtag. Hope you like it, Cheers Gilbert

and the reverse, with slider...

Evening Gents, Here is my example, also marked Wagner, although it is extremely difficult to see under the tarnish. It has a perforated slider attachment. Cheers Gilbert