deptfordboy

Mine is sitting under the Xmas tree right now (present from the wife) but judged on the basis of his other books it will be excellent - I'll let you know how I get on!

Hi Jane,

Sorry for the delayed reply - I am rather a lapsed member of this forum as life and babies have got in the way! Very interested to hear about your ancestor, he is indeed listed in the book but I didn't see any specific mention of him. A frined of mine has painstakingly compiled an index of names mentioned in the book and will be sending it soon, which may uncover more.

What do you know about your G Grandfather which you'd like to share?

Gilbert

Super badge, Tony - definitely a one off. I for one haven't seen any similar enamel work on suh a 'humble' award.

Cheers

Gilbert

Hiya Tony,

The badge looks good to me - if subsequently played around with. If you can give me his number then I'll take a look at Williamson's book this weekend.

Cheers

Gilbert

After a period of silence, I have also heard that research on my awards is underway

I'll keep you gents posted...

Gilbert

What a shocking thread - this group is indeed of great historical importance and yet it gets cast to the 4 winds like this. However, this seller is only repeating practices common in contents auctions going way back. I spoke with the auctioneer of a local auction house who recently split up a (modest) family group which had been kept together over 150 years and he was quite clear about the fact that this way he'd make most money for his client and himself, with yer man on Ebay the tactics are the same, all that's changed is the medium.

Unfortunately, I feel the only sensible course of action is to steer well clear of all his ebay auctions, should one even have the very deep pockets required to reunite some or all of the items. After all, bidding to save them as a group is what he's counting on.

Cheers

Gilbert

Thanks, that's helpful. So, he began his reign 1926, if you add the 14 then you get to 1941, making it just pre-WW2 (from Japan's point of view)?

Whilst not trying to excuse my snaps, the numbers are difficult to read to the eye, but on the insrtument I think they are 15 and 5 .

Cheers

G

And finally, the tool kit with mysterious capsules - do they have something to do with the cylinder gizmo I wonder?

closeup of the compass plate markings

Here's a side view showing the plate with markings

Here's the front view of compass - note the cylinder

Shot of the box with contents in situ

A close up of the markings on the box plate

Here is the front of the box with marked plate.

Hi Gents,

I have been away from collecting a while as work and family commitments have taken over, but a belated Happy New Year to all here. I picked up this item at a local auction last week. It came from a house clearance, and according to the auctioneer's description is a compass taken from a WW2 Japanese torpedo boat, but I take pronouncements like that with a big pinch of salt

It is definitely a compass, with Japanese-looking markings, and a wooden box similar to military instruments of other countries in WW2. Beyond that I haven't a clue. Both the box and the instrument are marked. The compass sits on springs, has some sort of screw adjustment on top and bottom, and lugs for securing it to something stationary. There is some sort of cylinder at the front which is empty. The box also contains a toolkit and some mysterious glass capsules.

Could anyone here please help confirm whether this is Japanese, naval and/or WW2, and help with translating the markings? It does seem to be a rare item as I couldn't find anything similar on from google searches. Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Gilbert

PS - apologies for the poor photography, it's a dark art to me!

Thanks for this fascinating series of pictures and background Jim - my retired parents recently moved to Malta and live in a flat in the Grand Harbour. Myself and family will be visiting for Xmas so I'll be sure to use your map and insights to get the most out fo the historical backdrop

Cheers

Gilbert

Super pic's Tony, I often find myself picking snaps up for no other reason than they are great fun to gaze at, without any hope of definitively identifying the individuals. It would be good to have a thread where people can contribute theirs, I must try and dig some out for a scan session.

Gilbert

Pretty nifty - thanks for sharing! I have already played with this for some of my more interesting groups.

Gilbert

I'll be happy to check the London County Council record of employees who served in the war, on the chance that he worked for them. If you drop me a PM I'll try and do this at the weekend.

cheers

Gilbert

Thanks Paul,

That's really helpful. I am vaguely tempted by the one up for auction (estimate ?800, but these generally tend to be conservative) - however, as Ed says you really have to know your stuff with these medals and I am certainly not confident enough in my judgement on them at present.

Cheers

Gilbert

Hi Jim,

That's a super medal - I have my eye on one myself, one day...

It's interesting that about 10 minutes before I saw your post I was reading Antiques Trade Gazette which lists a Waterloo medal for sale at Lawrences auctioneers in Somerset. This one is to Lewis Polson, 42nd or R.H. Infantry.

Did the 42nd play a pivotal role in the battle? I know some regiments are more desirable than others, but not much more than that.

Cheers

Gilbert

Hey Alex, nice medal. This got me thinking, how are these and other British gongs in fact presented? I'm pretty sure her Maj doesn't put it over your head, is it dished out to the recipient on a cushion? Just curious,

Gilbert

Hi All,

I have been distracted from the hobby a little while, but was genuinely shocked when I logged onto Alex's site and found he had shut up shop. I had a few dealings with him and found he was genuine, honest, reasonable and not suffering from the rampaging ego which leads you to tread on eggshells with certain other dealers. However, life goes on and he no doubt has sound reasons for moving on.

Cheers

Gilbert

Hey Tony,

Nice medal to a Somme casualty and Lewisham man, but what makes it special is the research you have done on it - super job! Have you visited his 'Girlfriend's house, is it still standing? I can go and take a snap of the place if you like...

Cheers,

Gilbert

Super piece Marcus, this really has character!

Cheers

Gilbert