Michael Johnson

My mother's cousin Adjt. Antonin Gautier was killed in 1918 with SPA 80. I remember my friend Vicken Koundakjian saying that he would have qualified fr the Medialle Miltaire, but I never had any confirmation. Last week I was doing genealogical research and found a listing from a memorial tablet which confirms a posthumous Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre, which would fllow with the award of the first medal.

Thanks! That first site has exactly what I need.

For reference. I have bought some French material on eBay, including some patches. eBay pics

I'm wondering if anyone has found a good online site for French insignia, including division patches?

I've always loved Tom Lewis's "Last Shanty" http://www.tomlewis.net/lyrics/last_shanty.htm It should be pointed out that Tom is a R.N. veteran, serving in H.M. Submarines.

Chris, it makes perfectly good sense to me. After all, you don't want to disadvantage all those Headquarters types who never get into the field to earn points. So we'll let the sharp-end guys get a slight edge, but not too much of one.

I remember when I started collecting back in 1974 Ed Denby had a couple. I think he wanted $15.00 for them. DON'T YOU JUST HATE IT WHEN EBAYERS PUT LONG SCREEDS ALL IN CAPS?

Kipling mentions in a short story called "Brugglesmith" police having access to wheeled stretchers: The Metropolitan Police website mentions that the hand ambulances were in use until 1928.

I have a medal group to one of those men. He was captured and released while serving with the Bedfords. In the Great War, having emigrated, he enlisted in the 98th Bn. C.E.F., transferred to the 20th Bn. and was Missing in Action at Vimy. His luck held, though, and he was able to rejoin his unit.

I have a 9th Dogra group - Rakhsha Medal, Videsh Seva Medal "UAR", UNEF Medal. I also have a lone Videsh Seva bar Congo to the 3/1 Gorkha Rifles (another Param Vir Chakra unit).

I used to collect to the Dogra Regt. There can never be enough. Any Videsh Seva groups?

I think the key element here is that the military traditions of ex-colonies (including Canada, the senior Dominion) have preserved some of the British traditions. It has nothing to do with whether you are a Dominion or a Republic. That is a matter of individual taste. I have collected on both sides of 1947. Given my interest in peacekeeping it is helpful that India is, along with Canada, one of the biggest contributors to UN operations.

Ah yes, but if you read higher up, this section is Commonwealth as well as Empire. Last time I looked the Indians were still part of the Commonwealth. So amalgamate, certainly, but I would amalgamate here.

It might be Newfoundland, which is what "Terra Nova" roughly translates to. The Royal Newfoundland Companies existed from 1843 to 1862, and then were amalgamated into the Royal Canadian Rifles. Newfoundland did not become part of Canada until 1949.

Here is a nice group to the 1/8 Gorkha Rifles: 1. GSM 1947 - "Ladakh 1962" 2. Samar Seva Star 3. Rakhsha Medal 4. 9 Year Long Service Medal 5738664 Rfn./L.Nk. Pas Bahadur Gurung The 1962 war with China was a bitterly fought struggle by a poorly-equipped and outnumbered Indian Army against the Communist Chinese. Two Param Vir Chakras (equivalent to the Victoria Cross) were won, one by the 1/8 G.R. The Hyderabad Regiment got the other for an action where almost an entire company was wiped out holding a position. The 1/8th served in the 4th Indian Division in the 1965 war with Pakistan, and were present at the battle of Khem Karan.

I would agree. My wife's grandfather (a 1913 Territorial) went to France with the 15th London Regiment and qualified for a 1914-15 Star trio. He emigrated to Canada, and in the Second War joined the R.C.A.F. in his civilian trade of tailor. Throughout his service he wore a ribbon bar with the trio ribbons plus the TFWM ribbon - no one called him on it! From correspondence it sems he tried to claim a TFWM and Efficiency Medal, but both claims were rejected. Even with double time for war service he was still short.

I suspect that it's the same everywhere - "Some bloke what talks funny wants our money, dear."

They look a lot like some official Pakistani photos I have from 1947, including what appears to be an army officer directing tribesmen.

Wasn't the 20th Dunsterville's regiment (Kipling's "Stalky")? They may well have served together.

Sad news, especially coming so close after the death of Canada's last V.C., "Smokey" Smith.

The presence of a number makes me think that maybe the Government created an ad hoc unit, as otherwise I would have expected to see a Railway name.

Here's another odd one - three medals: three different dealers. Whether it's all he's entitled to we'll probably never know. 1935 Jubilee Medal - (engraved) Sgt. J.E.R. Jones 1st G.I.P. Reg. A.F.I. Volunteer Long Service - Sjt. J.E.R. Jones 2 Bn. G.I.P. Ry R. A.F.I. Efficiency Medal - S.C.M. J.E.R. Jones 1 G.I.P. Ry. R. A.F.I. I also have an un-named silver prize medal to the 1st G.I.P. R. which may have been associated with him. This combination could represent as much as 30 years service, or as little as 21 years, depending on how many Twofer years of war services he had. I have been unable to locate any medal index card for Jones, and he doesn't appear in the 1919 Indian Army List in the I.A.R.O. so he may not have had Great War service. Since he seems to have transferred from the 2nd to the 1st Bn. it would date his Volunteer L.S,. before 1935. Time enough to earn it on straight service (1917-35). Equally he could have earned the Efficiency as well on straight service (1935-47), but I think it more likely that he had some Second War medals. Since the railways were heavily staffed by Eurasians, it may be that he did not have Great War service. [attachmentid=16416]

No, Assistant Surgeons were Warrant Officers, which is why after 1930 they were no longer listed in the Indian Army List. Assistant Surgeons were the European members. Indians were Sub-Assistant Surgeons. If you were a "real" doctor you were commissioned in to the Indian Medical Service. Both Indians and Europeans held commissions in the I.M.S. As I said the only reason I can see for the replaced suspender is symmetry with his other medals. I had one to Asst. Sgn. A.R. Bell (who entered the same year as Asquith), and it was a non-swivel scroll that it would have taken brute force to break.

One more time with feeling. I would think he is probably entitled to the Bar. I don't even want to think what this would sell for today.

That was the first pattern PPCLI badge. Technically it's a "marguerite", not a "daisy".