sabrigade

WW1 AMERICAN ENGINEER SARGEANT This is a new field for me so I trust that this display is correct?

I managed to find a bit of time during my brief December 2009 break to do some upgrades and place additional items in the room that houses my WW1 and early South African Police displays and collection. It was fashionable for tailors to make uniforms for children. This child's uniform depicts a 2 SAI officer and comes complete with miniature cap and shortened pace stick.

Hi Mervyn, In 1895 a contract did exist between the Government of the Transvaal and the company Gordon Mitchell of London to supply uniforms and equipment. The badge is No 1998 in Owen's Book but unfortunately he does not specify if it was an officer's badge. " Z.A.R. Police white metal helmet plate worn prior to 1902" These helmets are very seldom found, as you are aware. I do have a colonial helmet to the Natal Carbineers which is very similar, I will make comparisons.

THE HELMET'S INTERIOR

A CLEARER VIEW OF THE HELMET

The ZARP members wore a helmet that is very similar to the white British Foreign Servise helmet. In undress, it was worn by the mounted police only. The helmet is white with a silver chin chain, spike and helmet plate.

Hi Leigh, The sun helmet aspect has become a focus now for my collection. I have also being reading Peter's great article on his "helmet room". Regards, Will

Hi Peter, Maybe time to start working on the Second volume? I have to compliment you on the extent and depth of your collection. I am really looking forward to more updates here! Regards, Will

I also noticed that, the rest of the helmet looks correct but I am far from being an expert.

Was it common practice to put badges or pins on the WW1 campaign hats?

To be honest, this is the first one I have ever seen. Regards, Will

The reverse of the medal, mounted as worn by the recipient.

This is another Sudan find. Unfortunately no attribution.

Hi Peter and Ulsterman, I purchased the helmet in Khartoum from a French diplomat who spent some time collecting Ethiopian militaria and artifacts. He is selling some of the items but alas only had the one helmet. I have been "badly" influenced and will post photographs of my helmet collection and ROOM in a few weeks time. I will be in South Africa on 10 December 2009. Regards, Will

As luck would have it, this miniature group was waiting for me when I returned to Khartoum from the field a few hours ago!

Hi Brian, Yes, these are recent purchases from the Sudan that I sent to South Africa. Regards, Will

As stated by Peter, I have also experienced the same problem in both the Sudan and the Middle East. This problem of medals and groups is compounded in countries where there is a very strong local silver industry which is a very lucrative market. The other approach that I have encountered is that jewellers tend to convert silver medals into neck pendants or necklaces. The suspenders are sometimes removed very crudely. SOME SILVER MEDALS PURCHASED IN THE SUDAN INDICATING THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS AND SUSPENDERS THAT CAN OR MAY BE EXPECTED Regards, Will

IMPERIAL GUARD STAMP INSIDE HELMET

NAME INSIDE IN HELMET

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2009/post-3034-125880254951.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2009/post-3034-125880255787.jpg HEADDRESS BADGE AND INSIGNIA ON SIDE OF HELMET

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2009/post-3034-125880200837.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2009/post-3034-125880201207.jpg This arrived today in Khartoum and will now form part of my international pith helmet collection.

The medals and stars have been mounted on the wrong ribbons. He has the 39-35 star and not the France-Germany star. These awards are consistent with the SDF participation in the Ethiopian and North African campaigns as well as against the Italians in Eritrea where the Sudan General Service Medal were awarded.

Hi Gordon, Thanks for the input. The problem here is that little attention to detail regarding the wearing of medals seems to take place. This is especially true for veterans of the war. This is another group I bought here, the Sudan LSGC medal is named to an officer in the Eastern Arab Corps. Regards, Will

Hi Ralph, Thanks for the information. Any details on what it was awarded for? Regards, Will

Hi Chris, Not sure, could well be. My first thought was French? Regards, Will