sabrigade

The 1914-15 star awarded to Constable Pretorius. He is a confirmed member of the GOC's Bodyguard.

ABO to Burger Pretorius. Initial research has indicated that he was a member of the Krugersdorp Commando (Wyk or District No 1) under the famous Boer General De la Rey.

This group is a fairly recent acquisition and I have started the detailed research process regarding the recipient. I am in the middle of Mogadishu so access to internet is not guaranteed (to put it mildly). Regards, Will

Thanks Mervyn and Gavin, I have actually had the groups for a while but have been very busy at work with a lot of travel away from internet access hence the limited posts. I will post Hoatson and his story when I get the opportunity, he features in Ian Uys's "ROLLCALL". I travel to Mogadishu on Monday. Regards, Will

Thanks David, Very well researched article. I am also fortunate to have the MM and Bar group to Corporal Andrew Hoatson who was one of the few 140 survivors who had fought throughout the battle. He was awarded the MM for the Battle of Delville Wood and the bar to the MM for the Battle of Arras. Wounded 4 times during the course of the war, he was a Lewis Gunner. Regards, Will

As a former Chief of Staff of the SA Army Engineer Formation and a member of the S.A. Sappers Association I had the privilege of meeting Ted and the other World War two sapper stalwarts on various occassions. His obituary from the University of the Witwatersrand may add some more details for you: " Pavitt, Edward (1918-2007) Dr Edward Pavitt was born in 1918 in Vryburg in the Northern Cape. After completing his schooling at Kingswood College in Grahamstown, he enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering at Wits. He completed his degree in 1940 and enlisted in the South African Engineer Corps with the lower rank of sapper. He obtained the rank of major and upon demobilization in 1946 was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He was also awarded four campaign medals. Once home he worked at various mines, until in 1961 he ended up at the head office of Union Corporation where he rose to the position of managing director and eventually executive chairman. He was still the chairman when it merged with General Mining, another giant of the South African mining industry, to become Gencor. During his later career he served on the boards of companies such as Eskom, Sasol, Anglo American, Highveld Steel, Haggie Rand and Alexander Forbes. Outside his business career he contributed significantly to South African society and industry working on the councils of Wits, Pretoria and Port Elizabeth Universities. He received many awards and accolades, including an honoury doctorate from Wits and was inducted into the Top five businessmen in 1983." His uniform was on an auction in South Africa last year and was part of a friend of mine's collection: "UNIFORMS AND WEBBING : Khaki 4 pocket tunic (dated Dec 1941 E. Pavitt) in near mint condition. Majors Rank to epaulettes. SAEC collars and all buttons present. Medal ribbon Military cross, 1939-45, Italy, Africa Stars and Africa service medal and mid emblem. With 20 pages of research. "Salute the Sappers" confirms award of Military cross as well as two incidents, one in which he captured 12 Germans armed with only a torch, and another in which he recovered casualties from a mine field. Post war served as Chairman on board of Gencor."

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-3034-0-31966700-1359034342.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-3034-0-49784300-1359034344.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-3034-0-23386100-1359034346.jpg Some of the earlier examples in my collection.

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A new frame added during my December 2012 break. Many of the medals were acquired in Kabul when I worked in Afghanistan.

Hi Paul, Thank you for the comments. I have been collecting for many years and have gradually built up a group of friends and sources and we assist each other. I have also found it very important to specialize but this is not always easy. A knowledge base also helps to ensure that you know exactly what you are looking at and what you require to complete a specific series or collection (where possible). The scarceriItems are not readily available and it has taken a while to build my collection. Sometimes it is also a question of being in the right place at the right time = luck!! Regards, Will

NURSING ELEMENT

4 SAMR re-arranged

Hi Chris, The items came from his grandson. The KA mark made me think along the KS line but is probably just a factory name. Rifleman Kemp actually deserted to join the 1st South African Infantry Brigade and was officially pardoned. I am back in South Sudan. Regards, Will

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A horse brush which may have been captured during the German South West Africa campaign. Maybe Chris can shed some more light?

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Military Police with shoulder title variations added

PERMANENT FORCE POLICE

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Medical attachment with updated shoulder titles added and changed.