The Saint

A sad loss for all of us interested in the Rhodesian Bush War.

My contribution to the thread, Rhodesian FN cleaning kit, 1970s.

Rhodesian Corps of Military Police. Cap badge, 1965-1970 - cap badge 1970-80 - title.

Some regiments carried 'Ancient Badges' on their beltplate as soon as the 18th Century (2nd Foot's Paschal Lamb, 3rd the Dragon, &c.). The 9th (Norfolk) Regt of Foot had the Britannia figure over IX during the Napoleonic period, but it would not fit in this case as its facing was yellow, not blue.

Napoleonic battalion company officer (as told by the 1796 Pat. sword) for sure, but without the design on the crossbelt plate, it will be difficult to be more specific about the regiment. Stuart, the "rose ornament" you mention is just a elaborate knot to secure the gorget.

David, According to the records of PLY 1834 LANE Henry, who enlisted on 13th January 1879, the GC chevrons were awarded : one : 13 Jan 1881 two : 13 Jan 1885 three : 13 Jan 1891 four : 9 Jan 1895 five : 8 Jan 1900 He was discharged, still a private, on 13 Jan 1900. Cheers Eric

David, I will check this evening. Cheers Eric

Here we go, from Per Mare, Per Terram : A History of the Royal Marines, by Peter C. Smith (1974) Left to right (I may be slightly wrong about the exact dates), Top : RM, 1829-1856; RMLI, 1856-1869; RMA 1829-1856 Middle : RMLI, 1869-1902; RM 1922-1953; RMLI 1902-1922 Bottom : RMA, 1869-1902; RM 1953 onwards; RMA 1902-1922 Eric

Hello David, Actually I have obtained the original owner's records from the NA (I almost wrote PRO ). The name, Division & number all figure in the tunic.

Very interesting and entertaining. Thanks for sharing, Leigh. The British Army did not stay 'drab' for long, as seen in the back cover of the aforementioned Brian L. Davis' book.

If not too large, it could be a Victorian era pouch badge. Eric

To continue the serie, here we have a Rhodesian Army Services Corps beret, with the Other Rank's anodised cap badge (the one on post # 19 is from an officer). I had some difficulties at first determining the exact shade of the beret, dark blue or black. In the latter case, the man would have been assigned to the Armoured Car Regt. After much examination and comparison, I am satisfied that the beret is a very dark blue. Eric

Two Rhodesian Army WOII on their original black leather wrist bands. The Corps gilt anodised one has a black cloth background, but I don't know the significance (if any). Eric

As promised - the background cloth is actually dark green felt. Previous to this pattern, the badge had a Queen's Crown in place of the 'Lion & Tusk', and lettering was 'NRASC' (Rhodesia & Nyassaland ASC, Federal period 1953-1964) or 'SRASC' (Southern Rhodesia ASC, 1964-1970). Eric

A French postcard from my RM files " War of 1914 - The British Army [sic] lands in Ostende" : Eric