Brett Hendey

I did not know that the US has a POW Medal. Thank you for showing it. Such medals should exist for all countries involved in wars. It would be a small reward for the lost years experienced by POW's. Regards Brett

Congratulations on a great addition to your already fantastic POW collection! While such 'small' WWII medal groups seem less appealing than larger groups, they may represent men such as Roberts, who had very adventurous wars. A few days ago I was tempted to buy a 39/45 Star/War Medal pair to a seaman who was killed when his RN ship was sunk during the evacuation of Dunkirk. I resisted the temptation since I stopped collecting WWII RN medals many years ago because of the difficulty in researching the men behind the medals. Regards Brett

Will That is a very kind and generous offer. However, since my wife and I recently moved to a small unit in a retirement complex, it would be best if your Smythe material stays where it is in an ideal environment for the preservation of militaria. Perhaps in time the Reid relics can find their home there too? Regards Brett

Thank you for your kind comments, David. Regards Brett

Will Shown below are the medals and badges of a man who served with Sgt Smythe in North Africa. He was wounded in Smythe's VC action, but remained on duty afterwards. Walter Robert Reid was born in Johannesburg in 1917. The family moved to Estcourt, Natal, when he was young. He was educated at the local government schools and he must have known Smythe while both were at Estcourt High School. Smythe was a year older than Reid. He joined the Royal Natal Carbineers on 10/4/1940 and served with the regiment in both the East and North African campaigns. He was a Corporal at the time of the VC action. Reid remained with the RNC after Smythe had been detached from it and went on to serve in the Italian campaign. He was seriously wounded by machinegun bullets in both legs on 4/12/1944 near Castiglione. He was hospitalised for 146 days and did not return to active service. He was demobilised on 27/8/1945. Reid's military service and other periods in his life have been documented in detail. Although an active sportsman before the war, his wounds restricted his activities in later life. In spite of his long and arduous military service, his granddaughter described him as an energetic hard worker with a keen sense of humour. He died in 1986. He was a devoted family man and his granddaughter ended her biography of him by writing, "He was my friend." Reid kept the medal ribbons and badges from the uniform he was wearing at the time of his discharge. Later he added his service medals, which were not mounted for wear, and other badges, including his King's Badge for War Service that marked his career-ending wounds. All this material and more came into my possession many years ago. My attendance at Estcourt High School in the 1950's and Reid's relics are my link to Sergeant Q G M Smythe VC. Brett

Garth The book I have found most useful is: "Flying Cheetahs" Korea 1950-1953 by Winston Brent. Freeworld Publications. 2001. (African Aviation Series No 8). It has a roll of the medals awarded and a great deal more, including many photographs. P5269 Prevost has the initials "W M P" in this book. He was an Air Sergeant (i.e. ground crew), who served in Korea from 26/5/1952 to 21/7/1953. He was also entitled to the Korean Korea Medal. Like many of the men who served late in the war, he was probably not a World War II veteran. His service papers are available for copying in the military archives in Pretoria. Regards Brett

Demir A very moving use of words and wonderful memorials to a former enemy. Thank you for sharing them. I live in a country where the dead of former wars are disrespected by many, and perhaps most citizens of this country. They have a lot to learn and Ataturk should be one of their teachers. Regards Brett

Yes, Chris. The group of eight medals is as follows: SA Korea Medal, 1939/45 Star, War Medal, Africa Service Medal, US DFC, US Air Medal (with Oakleaf Cluster), UN Korea Medal, Korean Korea Medal. US DUC ribbon bar. During WWII, Lt (later Captain) J H Naude flew flying boats on anti-submarine patrols out of Durban and therefore qualified only for the 39/45 Star. There is an impressive citation for the US DFC. Such medal groups are good research subjects, since there are usually extensive service records available. Regards Brett

The group on the City Coins auction sold for SA R36 300 (= 2590 GBP), a little over R10 000 above the top estimate. Brett

A Turkish UN Korea Medal was also a "must have" for my collection and, thanks to a GMIC member, I eventually got one. Mine has the conventional ribbon. I had wanted a red-ribboned one, but they seem to be exceptionally rare. The Turks in Korea had a remarkable record and I have the utmost admiration for them. Regards Brett

Hi Will The Bodyguard trio I my collection has the War and Victory Medals inscribed "B/.O.L.", which I have assumed stood for "Bevelvoorende Officier Lyfwacht", or something similar. Perhaps your "K.I.C.L.W." is "Commander in Chief's Bodyguard" (i.e. "Kommandant in Chief Lyf Wacht") made up by a not-fully-bilingual public servant. Regards Brett

Mervyn An excellent group! Thank you for showing it. The similar group that will be sold today on the City Coins auction will be a good guide to the commercial value of Dodson's group. I think that Gavin has comprehensively answered all the queries that have arisen. Regards Brett

I think the coat-of-arms are Rhodesian. Brett

Here is the group I mentioned yesterday. Bezuidenhout served in the Commander-in-Chief's Bodyguard in the GSWA Campaign, the CinC being General Louis Botha, who was also the Prime Minister of South Africa and one of the most successful Boer Generals during the Anglo-Boer War. The S A Police Good Service Medal is the 1st Type, which has its inscription in English and Dutch. Even if van Onselen did not serve in GSWA, with long service and good behaviour he would have qualified for the Good Service Medal. Regards Brett

Perhaps I should have mentioned in my last post (#10) that after the Union of South Africa was established in 1910 there were major changes in the organisation of the police forces of what became the four constituent provinces of the Union. Those men who were serving as paramilitary police were transferred to the S A Mounted Rifles, the regiments of which became the foundation of the Union Defence Force. The more conventional police became founder members of the S A Police. Men from the SAMR and some from the SAP saw active service in the German South West African campaign of WWI and were awarded the standard WWI trio of medals. The long serving policemen who went on to serve in the SAMR were eligible for the award of the Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas LS & GC Medal, while long serving members of the SAP got the SAP Good Service Medal. Shown below is a medal group to a man who went from the Natal Police into the SAMR and qualified for the WWI trio and Permanent Forces LS & GC Medal. I have misplaced a pic of a SA Policeman who served in GSWA and later earned the SA Police Good Service Medal. I will add this later if anyone is interested. Regards Brett

The Cape Police expert replied to my e-mail and wrote that, unfortunately, van Onselen's papers have not survived, although they may have been sent to Pretoria if he was transferred to the S A Mounted Rifles or S A Police. Audrey Portman (GMIC member 'aud') may be able to help and she can be contacted at rhino.research@icon.co.za. Regards Brett

A find like this usually only happens in dreams! There might also be a SA Police Good Service Medal missing. I will tell a Cape Police expert about this discovery. Although he is not (yet) a member of this forum, he will be very interested in this discovery and he may well be able to give useful information on this policeman's service. Brett

Mervyn An outstanding record of an important man. I cannot remember when I last saw such a comprehensive collection of written records and relics of one soldier. Regards Brett PS As Paul R has already indicated, please delete this post as well.

High profile battlefields such as Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana are preserved and there is a small 'battlefield tourism' industry in South Africa, mainly for visitors from Britain. The situation is very different for less famous battlefield sites and memorials, and neglect and vandalism are common. The future of anything to do with the Colonial era is bleak. Regards Brett

Thank you for this interesting insight into the history of Arizona. You are fortunate to live in a country where even remote historical sites are well tended. Regards Brett

Peter There are some very helpful members of the angloboerwar.com forum, who have access to rolls and other information, and they would certainly be keen to help if they can. Regards Brett

Since there are many Americans who visit this forum, but few who are also members of the South African Military History Society, I thought it worth publicising the fact that the latest 'Military History Journal' (Volume 15, No. 6, December 2012) includes the following article: 'American who fought in the Anglo-Boer War' (pages 202-205) by Benjamin Brown. Benjamin Brown is retired from the Foreign Service of the United States. Amongst other achievements, he is a army veteran of the Korean War. Brett

In support of your point about the Indians from India who came to the Boer War, the medal shown below was awarded to one such lowly man. Brett

Thanks for the name, Chris. Regards Brett

I see that you used your time in Washington wisely! Regards Brett