Mervyn Mitton

YOU WILL SEE THAT HE WAS IN THE ARMY PAY CORPS. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-35552600-1332685176.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

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http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-21069600-1332683855.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE We sometimes forget that Britain had a number of Territories in Southern Africa - separate to South Africa and Rhodesia. We controlled as Colonies - Bechuanaland ; Swaziland - and Basutoland. When they became Independent territories in the 60's and 70's they all re-named themselves - apart from Swaziland. Bechuanaland became Botswana - and Basutoland became Lesotho. The Sotho are a major tribe that stretch across the top of South Africa - the Ba Sotho - an off shoot clan, settled into a very mountainous region between the Eastern Cape and the Orange Free State and several wars were fought against them by the British - at least four VC's over the years. Eventually they became a Crown Colony with an Administrator. What isn't generally known is that all three Colonies supported Britain in both World Wars. Over 20,000 Basutos (as it was eventually known) volunteered for service and were attached to the South African Command. This meant they were in North Africa and Italy. Being a British Colony their medals are not named - as for Britain. They were entitled to the Defence Medal - which South Africans were not - and in the case of this group - the man went to Palestine and was awarded his Army GSM.

Thankyou for going to all of this trouble, Paul. Unless thay had been gold I wasn't worried about value - it was the mystery of their origin. When Bob is next in S.A. ( you probably know him ?) I shall have great pleasure in telling him their true history. Actually, either story makes them unusual. Many thanks. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-15695800-1332679357.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE This unusual picture from this morning's Tribune newspaper, shows King Goodwill Zwelethini (on left) with his Uncle - Prince Buthelezi - and on the right - the KwaZulu Natal Prime Minister. They have just finished a very public arguement - which is why they don't look happy - however, it is the equipment they are wearing that is of interest. Firstly the King is wearing a very unusual cape of leopard skin - usually they are across one shoulder. He is carrying a small stick - representing an official stick or, even a Knobkerry - but easier to carry. The ceremonial axe was made on his orders and is out of keeping with traditional Zulu axes which tend to have a hoe shape. This one , in fact is based on the Swazi pattern which has the two blades in triangular shape. The twisted shaft is typical of a design that the Zulus used in 1905/6 - at the time of the Bambatha Rebellion. The blade was chromed but, this seems to have worn off. Buthelezi is wearing a strange jersey type garment. He is carrying a stick with the skin of a mongoose - and also a Knobkerrie or, Iwisa that is covered in beads. His shield is a fighting type - an Umbumbulu. Both he and the King are wearing Lions claw necklaces - which only Royalty are allowed. The Prime Minister is carrying a Kraal walking stick - used for status - and called an Iqubanga. He seems to also have a spear and is wearing another unfortunate Leopard. His shield is a modern copy. Both the King and the Prince have red feathers in their hair - this will be from the Purple crested Lourie and are under the wing. A protected and fairly rare bird.

Must be one of the largest single lots of uniform and headdress that I have seen for some time. You did very well and should certainly recover your outlay from the items you are going to sell. The Eagle Sqd. will, I am sure, attract attention. Mervyn

Down the page - The Raglan Sale - Lot 50. This would be a wonderful page to post since it includes pictures and their history. Of particular interest would be Lord Raglan's Field Marshall Baton - presented to him by Queen Victoria. I have been trying to find a way of opening this onto your post - however, it is not coming-up as I expected. Please, if any member knows how to do this - go ahead. Make sure that full credit is given to Christies and the date of the auction. Monkey - a very good cross ref. with lots of important information. With something like this, I don't think we have to worry about copyright - so long as we we give full credit. The big auction houses are always grateful for the publicity. Certainly from the point of view of our members a direct picture is better then a web ref.. With the Baton - I would guess 75,000 pounds - any one else ? Mervyn

I always like to give others a chance to answer - however, in this case I'm pretty certain it's QE2. Mervyn

Looking at the group from left to right : 1. Star for Merit. The second highest Police award. For 30 years service - or Gallantry. The greater number were for Gallantry. 2. Star for Faithful Service - an additional and higher award to supplement the two Faithful Service medals in existance. 3. Medal for Faithful Service. This was a lesser award and was not named. 4. Medal for Combatting Terrorism. This was for any Police member who fought against Terrorism - or, who was stationed in an area of high terrorism. An important award and very sought after by collectors. I will do a longer report when his papers have been drawn.

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Back in early December I posted on British Medals a very good old South African Medal Group. (Now on page 2 of that Forum.) Research has been completed on that Group and I will soon post the results. However, this week I had a surprise when the Police Group to his Grandson was also brought -in. This seems to have been for the 1960's and 70's and therefore is being posted on our dedicated Sth. African Forum. This was the period of the Border Wars when S.A. was fighting to protect S.W. Africa (now Namibia). Angola was making forays into SWA - which was a Protectorate at that time. They were strongly supported by Cuba - who in turn were the fighting arm for Russia. Conscription existed and most of the younger white Sth. Africans fought either in the Services - or, in the Police. I will show the group and associated pictures and then discuss the individual medals. With the exception of a lesser long service, all are named on the cross bar, beneathe the ribbon. He is identified as a full Colonel - also, spelt Kolonel - the Afrikaans.

Saraota Steve - firstly - welcome to GMIC. Looking at the badge illustration - and you say yours is identical - then I think it is Queen Elizabeth - rather then Queen Victoria. They both use King Edward's Crown and this look more in the present style. However, with collecting you quickly learn not to jump to conclusions - so, we must see what others say. Value wise I would have thought - if it is QE2 - perhaps 40 to 60 Pounds ($64 -96). However, do some research on line.

SOP is probably some weird abbreviation for ' Silver on Plate' . In other words - silver plated. However, you must remember that the enamel would have been expensive - so, a nice piece.

A visitor to the shop - a British coin dealer - identified these as being Christmas Cracker gifts from the 20's or 30's. Apparantly they were made and put into small paper rolls - they were then the gift when the Cracker was pulled. They are brass and the children used them for games - or, as pretend money. We learn something every day !

Pete - sorry, I missed your comment. I agree with you - swords and bayonets have become increasingly sought after in recent years. Bayonets, because they are cheaper and don't suffer from the length problem of swords. Many Post Offices are limiting parcels to 1 metre - or 39 inches. And this prevents many from being posted. Mervyn

Welcome to GMIC, John. So, the sword was issued in August 1898 - however, it has a bowl guard. This is quite different to the normal thin guard for a pioneer sword. Since it is in Canada, there has to- be a strong possibility that it was made to local requirements. Look through the Regt. lists for V 3 L l. Sounds like a Volunteer Unit Could it be for a Lancer Regt.? Will be interesting to see what Mike and other Canadian experts think ? Mervyn

Let's hope it doesn't spread to other Forces. Imagine the Met. in this with all of the overseas visitors ?

Jordan - welcome to GMIC. The shield could well be for Chester - although others also used a shield.

These are usually known as 'Sweetheart Brooches' and really started in numbers from the Boer War (1899-1902 If you look back you will find a number of posts on the subject - and some good illustrations. This one is silver - however, even on 400 I can't make the hallmark out - give us details,or a close-up and I can tell you the date. Silver would indicate for an officer's wife or, girlfriend - but, not always

The naming and the medal order confirm that it is a South African issue. The Defence Medal is the oddity. They were not issued for service in Sth. Africa. However, for the invasion of Italy training camps were set-up in Egypt - and I think Tunisia. The British Army - who ran them - decided the training entitled issue of the Defence Medal.