sabrigade

Thanks Mervyn,

I have both South Sudan and Somalia so there has been a lot of travelling this year, I am off to Uganda this weekend for a possible site expansion.

Regards,

Will

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SAMR headdress details

Natal Police Field Force insignia, SAMR bandsman's belt and gilt officer's cap badge added.

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Marked very early UDF handcuffs.

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The upgraded display, time has not been a friend this year for spending time working on displays.

A very rare 1 SAMR shoulder title worn from 1922 to 1926.

Hi Brett,

I really believe that the Smythe items should be in your collection.

I would really like to "unite" them with the excellent Reid display and donate them to your collection.

Regards,

Will

Hi David,

South African badges are very interesting and it is amazing how many "variations" and "they were never worn" turn up and contradict the many refernce books out there.

I usually use postcards and other photographs as a reference where and when possible.

Any chance of posting the Williamson medals, etc?

Regards,

Will

Hi David,

Gavin's description is very accurate and I totally agree with his comments.

I purchased the badge on B or B and I think that there were many more than three servicemen who qualified to wear it.

Some SAAF badges are very rare and may be unique in the sense that some servicemen "made" them as part of a trade test.

One that comes to mind is the SAAF "boat" service during ww2 and I believe that they were based in your neck of the woods.

Some dealers in South Africa have an internationally based clientel hence the dollar and other prices.

Regards,

Will

Hi Mervyn,

It was the "helmet" that reminded me of these items and you are more than welcome to use any items you may require.

All going well, Somalia is now part of my portfolio.

Regards,

Will

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Official citation/letter

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Cetified citation copies, VC and GC gathering photograph and tie.

All of the items, details to follow.

I acquired these items regarding Sergeant Quentin Smythe a while back and have found some time to post them from a rainy and wet Juba in South Sudan.

Quentin George Murray Smythe (6 August 1916 – 22 October 1997) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

During the Second World War, he served with the 1st Batalion Royal Natal Carabineers as part of the 1st SA Infantry Division, Union Defence Forces in the East Africa Campaign against the Italians before moving to the Western Desert.

He was a 25 year old sergeant when the South African Forces were attacked at Alem Hamza in Libya. During the attack Smythe realised that there was no officer to command his platoon and he took command. Although he had a wound in his forehead, causing much loss of blood, he managed single-handedly to obliterate a machine gun post, taking all the surviving crew prisoner. Then, again single-handedly and armed only with rifle and bayonet, he promptly did the same with an enemy anti-tank gun crew, after which he consolidated the position.

Some of the items may be of interest.

Regards,

Will

Thanks for the positive comments.

Ulsterman, the relics were mounted in the same frame that I used for the display and I am not sure of their origin. I bought them from a dealer in South Africa.

Are my descriptions correct?

Regards,

Will

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I am not sure if my descriptions are correct?

The Waterloo medal has always had a special fascination for me and I added one of these medal to my collection many years ago.

Thanks All,

I made a mistake, Pretorius was in the Lichtenburg and not the Krugersdorp Commando, District 1, and fought at Kraaipan, Twee Rivieren, Klip Rivier, Donkerhoek, Rooiwal, Twee Bos, Belmont, Kimberley, Transvaal, Deldsnek?, Talmant?. (? = Cannot make out the writing!)

He gave his commanders as Commandant Vermaak, General Koos De La Rey, Veldkornet Jan Cronje and A/Veldkornet H. Haman.

He also served as a policeman in the Transvaal Supreme Court.

Pretorius was captured on 7 May 1902 and obviously had a very extensive Boer War record.

He was released from the Umbilo P.O.W. Camp in Durban on 20 June 1902.

Regards,

Will

Hi Brett,

It is very strange, my other group to the Bodyguard is also named very differently and I think in English if I remember correctly.

Regards,

Will

Unusual engraving on the WW1 Victory Medal?

Does anybody know the actual individual meanings of the letters which appear to be in Dutch?

Regards,

Will