Michael Johnson

If it were Canadian the Defence and War Medals would be in silver, and there would be a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. New Zealand medals weren't named, but there would be a New Zealand service medal. His service would not necessarily be North Africa - the Africa Star also covered Malta and Greece. Michael

I would agree that there would be no reason to fake such a medal. Was the MIC for his Great War medals or for a GSM? Assuming it was a good price I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it. Michael

Alas, in them days my access to cameras was limited. I have a photo at home which shows a much younger me with a Canadian Field Artillery tunic and SMLE. I will try to get a scan. Michael

Somehow I don't think that was Kipling meant when he wrote:

While researching a Metropolitan Police 1902 Coronation, I found and contacted the recipient's great-grand-daughter, who has her own blog on this man. I decided to offer to sell it back to the family, as I already have several of that medal. Her response was amusing: Sometimes virtue is not its only reward.

Can you get more iconic than the Short Magazine Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk. III? That blunt forend with the sight ears and bayonet stud are as emblematic of 1914-1918 as an Adrien helmet or pickelhaube. Michael

Not quite. The 1939-43 Star and Africa Star ribbons were awarded during the War, and Canadians had the CVSM ribbon. Michael

Or if he had previous volunteer service he might have an Efficiency Medal. Coronation and Jubilee Medals are another possibility, although they would be more likely for a senior NCO, unless awarded for civilian service. Michael

Last I looked it there was a maple leaf on our flag, not stars. That's what it all comes down to.

I think the proper name for that unpleasantness is The War of American Obssession.

Sounds like a book my father's family had: "What to Do Until the Doctor Comes". After reading it my father (as a boy) was convinced he was pregnant - he had all the symptoms. Michael

Beautiful. Wish I had one, but my wife would kill me. Now the question - leave it as is, or have the bronze finish restored?

Here's a list of coining offences at the Old Bailey resulting in death sentences: http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/search.jsp?form=searchHomePage&_divs_fulltext=&kwparse=and&_persNames_surname=&_persNames_given=&_persNames_alias=&_offences_offenceCategory_offenceSubcategory=royalOffences%7CcoiningOffences&_verdicts_verdictCategory_verdictSubcategory=&_punishments_punishmentCategory_punishmentSubcategory=death&_divs_div0Type_div1Type=&fromMonth=&fromYear=&toMonth=&toYear=&ref=&submit.x=28&submit.y=4 Note that in the 17th and 18th centuries women sentenced to death for Treason were burned. It was supposed that to exhibit them naked as they were quartered (after hanging and drawing) was bad for morality. In practice they were supposed to be strangled once the fire was lit, but sometimes the hangman wasn't fast enough. Of course women could get reprieved if they were found to be pregnant. As the tour guide at Fort Charlotte Nassau said to us back in 1964: "Aren't you glad you didn't live in those days?"

I took a quick sample from Geoff's search engine (although I think you can now do the same thing with CWGC). Obviously in 1914-15 there was an urgent need for Gurkhas in France, but I think all classes of the BMP were drawn on, although the only Burmese regiment was the 85th. Incidentally, the record of the Assam Military Police is similar. Michael

A lovely piece, but it is actually a coffee pot. For silver services the tea pot was low and round, like the traditional earthenware ones, whereas coffee pots were taller (to keep the grounds away from the spout?). Michael

During the Great War the B.M.P. sent drafts to Indian regiments, especially to the Gurkha regiments. There are 662 BMP casualties shown as attached to Indian Army units, including the 14th Sikhs, 85th Burma Rifles, 120th Rajputana Infantry, the Guides Infantry., and others I believe the great majority were Gurkhas. sent to Gurkha regiments. Michael

I also taught a mutual friend of ours how to disassemble Lee-Enfields and Martini-Henrys. He went on to an illustrious career in Special Efffects with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and for Fraggle Rock, which unfortunately provided no scope for his firearms knowledge. And Peter, I'm sure you misremember that story - I never had a pitcher of Planter's Punch - each must be freshly mixed. And remember I still have my photographs from various Halloween parties Not that anyone would recognize us from that long ago. Michael

I've known Peter since longer than I care to admit. It's the first time I've seen Peter and "moderate" together. There's a dorm at University of Toronto that still bears the scars of a Martini-Henry Mk. IV clearing rod.... Michael

Or Navy? Michael

The group you have is obviously a "full house". Companies which served in Syria and Lebanon would just have Defence, War and GSM, and late enlistments probably just War Medal and GSM. Have you seen any other complete groups? Michael

Quite an interesting unit. Several thousand of them trained and served as Gunners.with Heavy Antiaircraft Regiments in order to free up British personnel for reallocation to other regiments. 633 members of the APC were killed when the S.S. Erinpura was sunk by air attack. Several gallantry awards, including two BEMs for firefighting at a POL depot fire. They were apparently also very good firemen. Michael

V for Volunteer

I was just googling the other day, and what turned up? More on Asquith. He was born in Lahore, where his father was also born (in 1864). Educated Bishop Cotton School Simla (the Indian Eton). He was recalled in the Second War, being promoted Lieutenant (Senior Assistant Surgeon), Captain and Major. In 1940 he is shown as British Military Hospital Belgaum Released 1946. So I have to mount two more medals. ;)

Silver definitely rules out anything but Militia and Volunteers. If I still had my copy of Kipling and King it would be an easy matter.