Alex K

Having being bored to death with the latest offerings on the TV about soaps and "Reality TV", I Thought I would go away and a have a look at my"What's in this" box, archive, and found this Attached is a spange I suspect worn by a Vet of WWI. Nothing particularly fantastic about it but it does appear to be authentic to the period, I would guess 1920-1930's measures 43 mm in width, quite like it. it does seem to have seem some original use. regards Apologies if this is brain dead boring regards Alex

That looks as difficult to read as mine Alex

Trust me to get it upside down! thanks regards Alex

Not KKK by any chance

To be honest no I don't think you need to edit your post, My posting was based on recollections but you seem to have got the story slightly more "right". I was working from memory, having said that the poor Ghurka vet still got stitched and was denied treatment on our great NHS as I recall regards Alex

I suspect she has a gong from every country she has ever visited (Par for the course), there must be draws full of them. including past defunct regimes, I wonder what she does with the one's from now "Undesirable" regimes. Alex K

But if memory serves me right, didn't just this thing happen to a Ghurka vet who "Loaned" his medals, including his VC to his old regiment, who prompty claimed them as a gift and he never saw them again, and was refused the chance to wear them? additionally because he was not a British citizen he was not allowed to come to Britain to seek any medical treatment in the UK. Sure it's a thread on this site somewhere. regards Alex

That's what I was thinking. ?why have a complete frame on the revere where no-one will see it? space filler only IMHO regards Alex edit, attached a genuine one, borrowed from WAF, (If the owner wishes me to delete, let me know.)

Some outstanding groups here, regards Alex

Agreed and correct to a point, unfortunately treatments or medication has to be seen to be "Cost effective" or "Value for money". There are many treatments and medicines which are available but unfortunately they are deemed to be neither of the aforementioned, so are basically not available on the NHS, if you want it, you have to pay for it. This sort of treatment denial happens quite frequently until sometimes enough "stink" is generated, normally by the media that occassionally the decision is reversed. regards Alex

Thanks for the info, most interesting. regards Alex

Sentiments I totally agree with. They are of no practical (If maybe sentimental) use stuck in a draw. without any family to pass down to, (who may, or may not have treasured them), why not sell them and reap some benefit, after all he obviously earned them, just a shame that hero's are soon forgotten by the nation they fought, were maimed or died for. regards Alex

agreed post war regards

Thanks for the info. this particular piece has been in my collection for a good number of years, it is stamped with the makers mark on the base of the lower arm, it does appear to be a double mis-stamping. paid 16GBP for it regards Alex

Sorry to jump in here, but are you saying that the attached little midget made by Hossaur is worth +1250 Euro? regards Alex Oops sorry didn't notice the bit with swords, still do these things command such a high price without swords?

Thanks for the re-assurances guys. I clearly remember in the late 50's and through the 60's swapping many items at school for a pack of Woodbine cigarettes, (They came in packs of 5 then, or was that Park Drive?) for numerous German badges, decorations and uniform bits. I actually badgered my old Geography teacher to let me have some of his bits and pieces from his wartime experience, (He was a bomber pilot who flew Halifax bombers during the war and was shot down.), he eventually gave me his flight blouse, complete with insignia, including pilots wings, a spare set of pilots wings in one pocket, his side cap, and his post war Caterpillar club tie and little caterpillar badge. I truly wish now that I had kept them and asked him about his wartime experiences, unfortunately by that time the lure of girls, and flowers had overtaken me!! regards Alex

Gawd! and to think I threw mine away many years ago when I became a "Peace and Love Hippy" in the late 60's, (Afghan coats, head bands, and Bell Bottoms etc etc), together with I admit many, many other items which now appear to be, based on this and numerous other forums (Or is it Fora!) quite collectable and valuable, Oh well youth is wasted on the young. regards Alex K

This to me is simply a fantastic portrait photo, IMHO historically and artistically. Alex?

Not wishing to Hi-jack Ed's thread, but Chuck, your workshop re-working is really quite excellent. To Ed, you have some really fine photo's here which, when looked at closely and quietly, somehow bring out the true nature of the people in them. At this point you may have realised that I love old "Personal" photo's which show real people of the time. congrats. regards Alex

Ed just for you, hope you don't mind edit oops didn't spot chucks regards Alex

You've seemed to have summed it slightly better then me As an interesting side note, The Phrase "Kiss me Hardy" was changed in the earlier days of the last century to "Kismet Hardy" Kismet being a phrase which means "That's fate" as it was deemed inapropriate to have two men showing such affection as kissing each other. There's a good example of changing history to suit what's deemed "Politically correct" Learned that from one of the guides on HMS Victory in Portsmouth when I was there a few weeks ago. regards Alex

Unfortunately, don't want to throw a dampener on the thread, but my experience is, if you ask the average 10-25 year olds nowadays (In the UK at least ) they won't know what any of them actually did. Their hero's are the one's that win Big Brother or the X factor (Sorry UK programmes), there are US versions I believe. People who fought hard against tyranny and subjugation don't seem to do so well! Many appear to have heard of Churchill, Nelson etc but ain't got a clue as to what they did. (Appear on Big Brother!!). History isn't their Bag as they have lived in a predominantely peaceful period, so Military Heroes don't figure, This sort of thing just isn't taught in British Skools anymore regards Alex K :(

This has to be most ingenious way of displaying decorations and documentation together Congrats :love:

agreed perfect example and in mint condition regards Alex

Thanks for the answers regards Alex