paul wood

Yes , he is Private H. Park, Highland Light Infantry and 2692 is his regimental number. You should be able to download his MIC on the National Archives site (I think it cost £3.50). He survived the war as he is not on the CWGC site. Paul

Quite interesting, I and a few other members will remember the 50th Anniversary of the Great War in 1964. At that time most of the survivors were still around and in their late 60s or 70s. I was 9 at the time and remember the Armistice day service at our local church with many sporting their Great War Trios (one or two in their late 80's wearing their QSA's as well). Everybody agreed that the War was utter hell but it was the general view that those who had took part war all hero's who had gone through what most could not imagine in their worst nightmare, Germany was very much still considered the villain and any one who remembers the 1966 world cup will remember comments like it's the third time we've beaten them, 1918, 1945 and 1966. One veteran I got to know very well was Arthur Atkinson in the Liverpool Regt. Previous to 1 July 1916 he was a very irreligious man. Luckily for him he had a contracted a badly infected foot and therefore was in the sick bay, he was to discover that many of his friends and colleagues had been slaughtered, he felt God must have spared him and he became deeply religious serving as a Lay Reader for many years. At the time there was very little revisionist views and we still sang the Supreme Sacrifice on Remembrance Sunday until a few years later when a rather evangelical minister banned it because he believed it blasphemous. Most people over the age of 50 would have lost a father, uncle, cousin or even and older brother virtually no family in Britain was totally untouched by bereavement during the war. That's my threefarthings worth (if it's even worth that). Paul

Those regiments which remained with India after partition also had them named. Paul

Unlikely, one would not expect to find and 8 digit number Boer war period more likely to be a design or patent number. Paul

Brian, In theory it could have been avoided however what is more amazing was that war had not happenned earlier. Certainly something would have started it off, had it not been Sarajevo something else would have occurred to set the powder keg off. Paul

Cofia Fi is Welsh for remember me, the dragon looks remarkably similar to that on the badge of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. They sent out several contingents to the Boer War. Paul

Most interesting can you give further details about the medals. Paul

Just over 100 MVO IV's 10 MVO Vs Paul

Two officers were awarded an MVO for Queen Victoria's funeral, Percy Lockhart Harnam Noble and Aubrey William Peebles, details will be avalable in Navy Lists. A large number of RVMS in silver and bronze were awarded to the crew of HMS "Excellent" If one of the officer's check out then you have a nice attribution, otherwise anybody's guess. Paul

Thanks for sharing. As an England supporter I hope Fabio Capello never received one as his coaching was diabolical. Paul

Gordon Interesting, I knew the medal was rare but not that rare, I would therefore reckon it as somewhat more. Paul

Very nice, it is the Merit Medal of the Order of Elizabeth, established in 1898 in her memory, very nice with original ribbon and probably worth £200-300 A lovely item. Paul

There are rumours that it will become a charter super yacht. If so I think we should hire it to take it to Chris's imaginary island. Paul

Had a quick scan through the London Gazette, name doesn't help as there are lots of Coombe roads etc but nothing. I think the best bet would be to contact the Order of St John Museum, St John’s Gate, St John St, London EC1M 4DA They would be most likely to have details and for a small donation I am sure they could be of help. Paul

Nice one. Paul

Thanks for the warning Radmilo, while not my collecting field generally, given my interest is India it's a medal I would love to own but would need good images of an undoubtedly genuine one before considering buying one as they are not cheap. Paul

A lovely and rare medal for Tito's visit to India and Burma 1954-55, I am extremely jealous. Have you thought of contacting the OMSA ribbon bank it is possible that they may have some ribbon. If not very difficult. Paul

2 Is the Order of National Achievement of Malawi, an attractive looking and well made order. The others Look South American and of particularly unattractive and badly made quality a bit like what a six year old would come up with if asked to design orders and decorations. Paul

Thank you so much for the explanation. I always learn something on this forum. Paul

Paul If you received the India Service Medal you were ineligible for the Defence Medal which is something those who make up fake groups tend to forget, there are a few cases, mainly to British attached to the Indian Army where both were received due to administrative errors. War Medal and Indian Service Medal pairs are not uncommon. I have a few named pairs in my collection, the cheapest cost me £15 a couple of years ago (probably an unnamed pair would cost as much). Gary Neate (Neate Medals) sometimes has such items. Let us know if you get a pair. All the best, Paul

Thanks for the clarification, what date would you reckon it, Balkan Wars or earlier? Paul

Certainly brightened my morning up. Paul

The good thing about collecting to the IA rather than the British Army is that not everybdy knows everything about them, with a bit of knowledge there are still bargains to be had, such as the 4 clasp IGS 95 to a Lance Bugler in the Karpathula State Infantry (all clasps confirmed I know from other sources but others didn't) a snip at £120. All the best, Paul

Ah, If you were in India your children would be keeping you by working long shifts in the factory, so you would be able to afford medals. Paul

Well cremated, the phrase to sell ones Grandmother means you would do anything to get it and yes I do know the HKSA were Sikhs, I have a George V LSGC to a member of that unit, that DCM however is something else. Paul