Mervyn Mitton

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SILVER - front and rear http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-14630000-1339509822.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

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GOLD - front and back http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-05529700-1339509314.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

With the slight problem we are having on adding to posts I have made these two awards as a separate one from the previous Gold Award with neckband - the highest. The Gold Award and the Silver Award ranked as numbers two and three for the South African Police. The original awards dated from 1963 - however, these smaller versions came into use in 1989 and were taken out of service in 1994 when the Government changed. Only 5 of the Gold ones were presented - one of them postumously. I don't know how many silver were awarded - perhaps a member will be able to help ? These are original - probably both in precious metal - however, they were not used for presentation, so, have no identification number. To have the pair together makes them very rare. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-40374300-1339509134.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Vic - welcome to GMIC. We shall look forward to hearing more from you. Mervyn

Graf - I have just had a quick look on Google for you. Type-in - Identification of British Guards uniforms and ranks. At the bottom of page 1 is an article titled - Buckingham Palace Guards. This has some useful information and illustrations. It doesn't cover ranks - however, you can make your own google post for them. Mervyn

OH ! But I will Peter - on any site I can find I shall quote you - the only problem is that it sounds to be very plausible. Mervyn

Arthur - thankyou for adding that valuable information - particularly the numbers and the circumstances of their issue. Mervyn

One final view of our 'hero' - he is in picture 4 . http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-12112300-1339165450.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Gentlemen - on our British Documents Forum - 'Monkey' (Owen), has posted a book with the details of an officer who fought at Hougoumont. His research makes it a very interesting post and I hope you will find time to have a look - perhaps recruit him to your ranks ? (Although he is not 'allowed' to leave the British section................ Mervyn

Owen - I am going to mention this on the Napoleonic Wars Forum - I think our members will be very interested. Mervyn

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Since this group has attracted some interest, I am adding his discharge for further reference. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-46067000-1339163572.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-90534200-1339081014.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE Wording is in Afrkaans and English

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The Award I am showing here is the top Police Bravery for South Africa - anything higher would have been a Government Decoration. However, it was only for the period 1989 to 1994 - and was therefore an Award of the old Government. The Police Cross has always been the top South African Police Decoration for Bravery - and the changed design was introduced in 1989. There were Bronze and Silver - and a Gold breast Star. Only 5 of these were awarded and one was postumous. Above all of these was the SAP Cross for Bravery - the Gold neck decoration. You will see from the pictures that is was suspended around the neck and had a slight variation in the enamel from the Gold Breast Star. This is an original. From the weight it could be a number of possible metals - I wonder if any of our members have any information on it's composition ? I don't know the exact number awarded - but, if it was 5 for the Gold Star, then the Neck Decoration could be even fewer. After 1994 the ANC Government changed all of the Awards - so this is now an historical item.

I wonder if Col. Dudley Wall would be able to help you ? He was 2i/c of Maritburg (was it no. 9 Group ?) in the 1990's He was later in Mil Intel at Pretoria. I think he is a member - if not I have his email. Also ask the Society for the Preservation of Militaria. Not sure who their President is now - they meet at Natal Mtd. Rifles. Some research sounds worthwhile. Mervyn

Thanks Steve - very helpful information. Strange how we see what we expect to see - I hadn't thought of Reserved Occupations. When yyou stop to think, they were probably more in need of some identification then the Services - little old women with white feathers and handbags lying in wait all over the Country........... Mervyn

Monkey - I read this when you first posted and thought what an interesting find. However, with the shop flooded I just didn't get back to replying. I am surprised our members seem to have missed it also - a great pity, because it's not everyday you buy a book and find the history of a senior officer who fought at Warterloo. Have you been able to find any further details of his military history ? I am also wondering where his medals are ? I must say that I think you have stumbled on a wonderful item. Mervyn

Shanthaus - welcome to GMIC. Both yourself and Mike are to be congratulated on being part of such a supportive organisation. I hope you will have time to add further details - and also, that members in other Countries will also tell us about their groups. I hope you enjoyed the Queen's Jubilee over the past few days - made-up for the rioting last year - and showed that most members of the public support our old traditions. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-76130500-1338990280.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE The reverse - with a high identity number ? Presumably the 'R' at the top is for Reserves ? Unusually it was made by the Royal jewellers - Mappin and Webb.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-35269300-1338989844.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE War Services Badges were issued to show a man was in the Services, or, the variation of having been wounded. They are invariably numbered. This unusual one is dated 1915 and carries the badge for the Royal Ordnance Corps.. I was not aware that Corps. or, Regiments issued their own War Services - do any members have other examples ?