Michael Johnson

Jildi (jaldi) - quickly chota - small burra - big

It should be remembered that the Canada General Service Medal wasn't authorized until the 1890s. And it took incredible lobbying by the Canadian government to get the North West Canada Medal in 1885, H.M.'s Government replying that it was not customary to issue medals for "local uprisings". The rebellions were followed by a period where the rebels, aided and abetted by Americans who wanted to replay the War of 1812, raided into Canada.

[attachmentid=29544] This is a photo of my cousin Adjt. Antonin Gautier's grave. It is not recorded in the Sepultures de Guerre database. There is a family tradition that the family was given a safe conduct to visit the grave, as it was behind German lines. Can anyone tell from the style of grave markers whether this is in fact a German cemetery? Unfortunately the names are not clear enough to read. But they are very different from the ones below, which are definitely French. [attachmentid=29545]

I haven't been able to find a match for the badge, although a number of French North African units used the crescent. Bugle playing is an art. The sound is not cused by your breath going through the bugle, but by the vibration of your lips against the mouthpiece as you blow.

Bid away, and the best of luck.

Here's a good example of one eBay

Certainly looks like it might be one of the North African units. Colonial units had the fouled anchor, now carried by the Troupes de Marine, their successors.

I have those currently in with Oncle Marcel's decorations. Then, of course, there is my grandfather, so I need another two, and I can throw in my name-erased BWM to cover his service with the Royal Engineers as an interpreter. And in that regard, I want to get hold of these records: Marie Emile Adrien Darte. The French government let him go in 1915, but only on 6-month extensions. Although he became a Canadian citizen c. 1920, he continued to receive French Army mobilization notices until his class retired.

[attachmentid=28981] And here is a picture of Cousin Antonin (right) with his uncle (my great-uncle) Marcel Verzieux, of the G?nie. Oncle Marcel had the L?gion d'Honneur (in my collection), and Croix de Guerre. I was able to get a nice CG, MM pair on eBay to frame up with blowups of the family photos.

There seem to have been a lot of Carneys in Yorkshire regiments. Gene Ursual has this Second Afghan to the 2/14th J. Carney I have been corresponding with a Daniel Carney here in Halton County. I was able to restore his grandfather's Birks memorial bar to his family. He (William Carney) had served in the 6th KOYLI in the First War, but apparently had previously served in the 19th Hussars. His brother Daniel was a pre-war regular with the 5th Lancers, and had a 1914 Star trio, still with the family.

I note that at least the items listed by Avril390 that I looked at are stated to be restrike/copies.

The Chairman already answered this above, but the photo confirms him. 1911 Metropolitan Police Coronation medal, 1902 Metropolitan Police Coronation Medal, 1897 Metropolitan Police Jubilee Medal. And he's wearing them in the wrong order - most recent first! If you check the constable in the upper right he's got the same medals, but worn correctly. It's interesting how the ribbons turned out in black and white: the 1911 ribbon is red with three dark blue stripes, the 1902 red with a central dark blue stripe, while the 1897 is a very dark blue, almost black - and yet it shows lightest of all!

[attachmentid=27569] And a detail of the reverse of Type C. Note the finer detail on the inside of the bonnet.

[attachmentid=27566] [attachmentid=27567] From my small collection I have three types: a. The official (I have two of these, one with less wear to the plating than the other) b. The second type already displayed here, with the wall behind. Mine is gold, and with the plating does not look as good as the bronze and silver shown here. The reverse is distinctly crude compared to even the official. c. This one (2 REI judging by the lack of an Infanterie bar) is very similar to the official, but lacks the plating. The reverse is more detailed than either of the other two issues.

It wasn't unusual for R.C.A.F. gunners to be commissioned part way through their tours if they met the standards. Unfortunately many of these commissions ended up being posthumous. Here's a good example. Two of these gunners were R.A.F. Ballentine (R.C.A.F.) is listed as a Pilot Officer in CWGC. I remember in the 1970s seeing a photo of a retiring Canadian Forces General, with his AG wing proudly displayed on his tunic.

Not unusual. I can find the death and service listings for my cousin Antonin Gautier, but no burial details, despite the fact we have a photograph of the grave.

If it doesn't work I've got a name-erased BWM.

Can any member advise me as to the procedure for putting in a claim for French medals? My grandfather was in the French Army 1914-18 (although put on leave in 1915 to run his munitions factory in Canada). He does not seem to have applied for his medals. How would I go about putting in a claim? I may also apply to the British government for a BWM, since he was also attached to the B.E.F. as an interpreter. National Archives lists quite a few to "French Interpreters".

And on eBay there is very spirited bidding for them.

Gentlemen, I need opinions on the value of a Canadian Second War Birks Memorial Bar. Here's the situation. The Bar is named to WOII William Carney, The Lorne Scots. He was killed in Canada in November 1945 when he was hit by a train returning home from the Company Office. I was recently put in contact with his grandson, who would like to get it back in the family. I am not averse to selling it to him, but would like to ask something reflecting current market value, in case I decide to replace it. My searches have turned up R.C.A.F. casualties at $345, an R.C.A.S.C. one with three medals (motorcycle accident in England) at $400. I think these are on the high side. Factors I feel would negatively affect the price are: - Serving in Canada as an instructor to the Militia battalion - Accidental death - Postwar (barely) Factors possibly increasing the value: - Rareness to unit (the Lornes were overseas, but as Defence Companies). Also, he would be interested in Carney's Memorial Cross (B/435084) and his medals - 1914-15 trio - 23603 Pte., KOYLI, CVSM, War Medal.

A quick search of the FreeBMD database shows a HARRY.BERNARD.F CAMFIELD born September Quarter 1899 in Portsea. So he was underage (could the BURG be Bugler?) (or lied) to get in. That would place his working career well into Queen Elizabeth's reign. And the London Gazette shows Gazette his ISM as a scientific assistant, Haslar. Anyway, someone picked it off.

But a word of warning. The key word here is better. Another key word is fun. When it stops being fun, it isn't a hobby any more. An obsession, perhaps, but not a hobby. So pursue excellence, by all means, but never lose the fun. And watch out for super-heated lasers.

I believe the I.T.F. was instituted to be the Indian equivalent to the A.F.I., and as with the British Territorials they were battalions of the regular regiments. Originally they were all the 11th Bn. (to leave room for wartime raisings) but I believe that 1939-45 some regiments raised a 12th I.T.F. Bn. I need to check my reference sources. I think Donovan Jackson has some information. The Mahratta Regt. had two I.T.F. Bns. 11/5 12/5

Well worth the money.

I would try interlibrary loan. Amazon has them used, but look at the price! British Regulars in Montreal Abebooks is rather more reasonable.