Michael Johnson

Bonjour Veteran, In 1812 the situation of the Indians/Aboriginals/First Nations/Autochtones in Canada was approximately as follows: The Six Nations (Iroquois) were in the Brantford Ontario area, with other reserves in eastern Ontario and Quebec. The Mississaugas were in the areas west and north of Toronto. They are Ojibway by origin Ojibways (Anishnawbe) were in the Lake Superior area. There were even some Sioux (Dakota/Lakota)

Families often split up medals so everyone got a memento. A nice medal with some good service. Some history here: http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/imperial-units/580-oxford-light-infantry Michal

A reminder that the G stands for Gentlemen's. Let's keep it that way. No politics, no religion and no women's names - just like in the Mess.

He was a 3rd Battalion (Militia) man, attached with others from the 3rd Battalion to the 1st Battalion. He was entitled to a King's South Africa with both bars. Michael

Ah yes. Years ago I taught Tim how to strip Sniders, Martinis, and Lee-Enfields. A.W. McElcheran (thus on rolls) was Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant of the J.M.R. Entitlement seems to be Transvaal, South Africa 1901. Previously 751. The story is "The Captive". Notes here: http://www.kipling.org.uk/rg_captive1.htm with a link to the story. Michael

A medal to the 3rd is one of the best. If you haven't already done so read Donald Featherstone's books on the Sikh Wars - "All for a Shilling a Day" and "At Them with the Bayonet". Under "Miscellaneous Campaigns Prior to 1880 - Returned Medals" there is a whole page of 3rd LD covering Sutlej, Punjab, and Afghanistan. He might be under that roll. Here is a Sullej roll: http://www.britishmedals.us/files/3ldsutlej2.htm Michael

Many of them settled in Oakville, where I live. Wonderful people. Michael

A.E. Housman Here dead we lie Because we dd not choose, To live and shame the land From which we sprung. Life to be sure Is nothing much to lose, But young menthink it is And we were young. And Kipling "The American Revolution - After" The snow lies thick on Valley Forge, The ice on the Delaware, But the poor dead soldiers of King George They neither know nor care. Not though the earliest primrose break On the sunny side of the lane, And scuffling rookeries awake Their England' s spring again. They will not stir when the drifts are gone, Or the ice melts out of the bay: And the men that served with Washington Lie all as still as they. They will not stir though the mayflower blows In the moist dark woods of pine, And every rock-strewn pasture shows Mullein and columbine. Each for his land, in a fair fight, Encountered strove, and died, And the kindly earth that knows no spite Covers them side by side.

I've heard that it is Findmypast. I'm anxiously awaiting these too. Michael

Paul, Try Johnson (and my wife's Murphy).

Thank you Tollywolly.

Thanks to a friend in France here are some memorial plaques in French railway stations. I have Nebinger's medal in my collection.

He was a Sergeant in the 2/24 Infantry: http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?ServiceId=A&VeteranId=437685. He was killed in action July 23, 1942. An excellent website here: http://2-24.battalion.org.au/rolls/roll.html Michael

A former neighbour of mine (Alex Velleman) was RCA then RCAF and his book (The RCAF From the Ground) shows him (in service) wearing both medals. As was pointed out, they are for different time periods. Personally, if I take Bill's service record at face value he shouldn't have received a GVIR CD, but a clasp to his Efficiency somewhere about 1942, and then the CD about 1954. It looks like they dated his CD from the start of his wartime service. He was Auxiliary Air Force with 10 Squadron in Toronto 1932-39, joined the wartime R.C.A.F., then went Permanent Force after the War. Michael

Frank, that is a question I am very interested in, as my uncle (R.C.A.F.) has in his group a GVIR CD. When I got his service record it states that he was awarded the Efficency Medal in 1934 (He had some Militia service with the Queen's York Rangers before joining 110 Squadron, later 400 City of Toronto). My late aunt remembers him having a yellow and green ribbon, but the group is as he wore it (WM, CVSM, EIIR Corontation, CD). Nothing in his service record about the award being cancelled. There was another Bill Hamilton in the Squadron, but he was permanent R.C.A.F. His service records vary as to his Militia service - I would think that to have qualified in 1934 they must have counted his cadet service. I've been tempted to apply for a replacement, as my theory is that he got the ribbon but was never issued the medal. Michael

I heard a very interesting radio show, where the scientist had actually found a piece of the wallpaper from Napoleon's room, which apparently was high in arsenic, and in St. Helena's damp climate, prone to releasing it. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v299/n5884/abs/299626a0.html http://users.physics.harvard.edu/~wilson/arsenic/Image_Makeover1.htm

Joan, whom I have worked with for more years than I care to think of, is in hospital seriously ill with cancer and a heart attack. Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated. Over the years I have helped Joan research her family's military history. Her father was one of the Canadians who joined the R.A.F. in 1938. He ended up with 42 Squadron R.A.F. flying Beauforts, along with a compatriot Oliver Philpot. Both were shot down and both ended up in Stalag Luft III. Philpot was to escape with Eric Williams and Michael Codner in the wooden horse escape. Her uncle was killed October 13, 1941 with 58 Squadron R.A.F. on return from a raid on Nurenburg. A great uncle 464662 Pte.James Frederick Burns was killed October 26, 1917 with the 47th Bn. C.E.F. and is buried in Passchendaele New British Cemetery. I'm hoping Joan will pull through. Update April 29 - Joan died today. . Rest in peace, Joan

The number on the tags indicates a September 1939 enlistment RAF Padgate. "Meth[odist]" is his religion. A Frederick B. Henshaw was born Q2 1913 Chesterfield Derbyshire, married Q4 1934. The Star combination is not that unusual to British forces. Michael

Thanks to a member on the BMF I was able to find his record of service: http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/e/e324/e008078908.jpg Dismissed in 1892 for a collision while he was a shunter, he wasn't taken back until 1904. Michael

My wife says that I am at my funniest when I'm browned-off.

Re-export would be the most likely scenario. Failing that they would have been burned, following the well-known government rule of "it we can't use it sell it through Crown Assets or destroy it". Whch is why dozen (hundreds?) of Canadian Army cap badges were buried at Petawawa, obsolete Lee-Enfield Mk1 ammunition was dumped into Lake Ontario, etc. Michael

N Division is Islington. Postle isn't listed in J.H.F. Kemp's book, so must have joined pre-1879, unless you misread the name.

In this case it means I reach adult catechism. I keep trying to train my converts to take over from me, but it never seems to work. Michael