Mervyn Mitton

I've taken them up to 400 - just gets 'blurry'. The first one has a whole forest springing out of the pavement - an official visit of some sort. I would have thought about 1910 ? The second one looks Met. with the Rose top helmet - however, I don't think it is - the Helmet Plate doessn't look big enough. A good post - and I hope we can look forward to seeing more old pictures in the future. Mervyn ps. Howabout a short comp. - on this Forum. You put together about 25 photos for identification and I'll give a small prize to the person you judge to have most correct answers ?

Tracy - we will always be pleased to hear from you - and if we can be of further assistance - give us a call. Mervyn

I suppose being a surrender with Lord Roberts present has added to the value. Not really that much - however, Doulton has dropped. Since it is now being made in Thailand there should be big increase in the future for the good stuff.

Both nice collectible pieces Mike - and in good condition, I can't see any chips. About US$160 each ? Mervyn

Mark - photo # 7 is very interesting with the variety of captured booty. Pickelhaubes and the plainer steel helmets at the front. The long bayonet - do you think it is the 1898 artillery. We need to ask Chris if he can identify more items. Mervyn

Dale - welcome to GMIC and thankyou for identification help. Mervyn

Sorry Brett, I meant to refer Kev to your Avatar . Brett's helmet plate is much bigger and more spread. (and worth a lot more !)

Hi, Colin. The two awards for Fire are both very good - nice to see his Ranks are shown - he was running Staffordshire at the time of the MBE. The first World War1 trio are usually called 'Pip, Squeak and Wilfred' after a famous cartoon of the time. They must be named around the rim and should show his Rank - Number - Name and Unit. Have a look and let us know. Mervvyn

Kev - to give you a little more info. The Regiment was formed in 1855 - so they were certainly fighting in the Boer War. However, you will note that the Crown is either Edward 7th. or. King George 5th.. They began to wear white helmets from 1894 - but, with the Crown it would seem more likely that your helmet dates to between the wars. I have been waiting for you to ask the value - Rands 150 - 200 ( pounds 15-20). Please measure the height and send another picture with the reverse - this doesn't look big enough for the helmet.

Reverse - the smaller coins could be 6d or, 1/- CLICK TO ENLARGE

During the Boer War - 1899-1902 - we captured many Boer Commando and regular troops. To keep them under guard within South Africa would have tied-up too many troops - and the decision was made to send them to overseas camps within British territories. The Countries involved were - St. Helena ; Bermuda ; Ceylon and India. The prisoners were allowed to make use of local materials to carve items of jewellery, furniture - and also metal items. The most common material that they had were the Boer Coins in their pockets. These were used in many different ways and some beautiful objects were made from melted silver. This is a brooch - fused together into this shape and with a pin on the back. The main coin is a 2/6 - two shillings and sixpence - dated 1895. The flanking ones look like shillings (1/-) but the date and value have been covered with the rather clumsy soldering. This set of coins ran from 1892 to 1898 and were minted in Pretoria. They had 3d ; 6d ; 1/- ; 2/- ; 2/6d and a five shilling piece. In gold they had the Pond - which was the same size as a Sovereign. CLICK TO ENLARGE PICTURE

I was wondering how they could reproduce legal tender - which it would be with the Monarch's Head. However, after Brian's comment that they were intended as medallion giveaways - I saw that no face value is shown. Anything with Edward's 8th. face on it seems to fetch a good price - except these ?

Yes , Odulf has the right Regt. They ceased to be 'Royal' after 1964 when Sth. Africa left the Commonwealth. They still exist and for many years there has been a dispute as to whether they are S.A.'s oldest Regt.. However, a number of early units claim this distinction. They are based in Pietermaritzburg - the capital of Natal.

Finally, I found this printed sheet in one of the tins. English one side and Afrikaans the other. A nicely written letter from Ouma - that showed a very supportive side to her. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Contents of a tin dated 1941 - so, 71 years old. I am 75 - so was a little boy when these were made - I think quite fair condition. The naming on the cigarettes is very interesting. ' C to C' . This stood for Cape to Cairo, Our expeditionary Force started in Capetown - drove the length of South Africa gathering troops and vehicles - across Rhodesia into Kenya - still gathering troop re-inforcements and ended up on the border of Abysinnia - , or as it is known now Ethiopia. We had roughly 28,000 men and a collection of beaten-up old lorries - and only light tanks and artillery. The Italians had built a new autostrada - and used it to escape. They had 240,000 men - but, did not have the will to fight as Mussolini was very unpopular. There were several proper battles or, skirmishes - and suddenly we had a large Country - few troops and no food. In terms of succesful Campaigns in WW2 this was one of the top ones - unfortunately it was greatly overlooked with events in Europe. Amazing the history that can come with a tin of cigarettes ! CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

The British really started the idea of giving a gift at Christmas to serving troops in wartime. This was always in the name of the Sovereign - although many Companies and Local Governement joined-in. Queen Victoria presented an attractive tin in 1900 - this contained a variety of gifts and the troops chose which one they wanted. This was done for just the one year - the cost proved high. World War 1 commenced in 1914 and for Christmas, troops were given a tin named for the Princess Royal. Again, they could select different contents. Also, as with the Boer War the presentation was a one off. Britain did not have Royal gifts in World War 2 - however, Soutth Africa did. 1940 was a large tin - but, for 1941/2/3/4/5/ the tins were as for the size of a 20 cigarette tin - they did have a choice of butterscotch or, cigarettes. The tins were stamped and coloured with a silhouette of the President and his wife. Field Marshall Smuts and Mrs.Smuts. Each year had it's date and in the left side was the National Emblem - a Springbok - with-in a 'V' for victory. They were held in great regard and were universally known as Ouma and Oupa. The Afrikaans for Grandma and Grandpa. CLICK TO ENLARGE

The fronts may have been for an earlier occasion and they could have just changed the backs for the Boer War. Whatever their origins - they are both fine items and well decorated. Mervyn

Tracey - click on his avatar and you will have his home page and be able to IM him.

Sporting prints were always popular with our ancestors - particularly hunting and boxing. This is by the famous artist H.Alken and was printed in 1820 - the beginning of King George 4th. Reign. Foxhunting uses larger hounds and the followers ride horses. However, all over Britain - at that time were packs of Beagles. You can see from this print that they had been bred down from foxhounds - today, there is very little similarity to these dogs of 192 years ago. The followers of hunting with beagles followed on foot. They mainly hunted otters, badgers and foxes. The print shows the hunt master in the dress of the day - and holding a long stick to control the hounds. This is a print with age and a lot of interest. Remember that the outline was printed in black and then hand coloured. CLICK TO ENLARGE PICTURE

A wonderful collecting field and the tin items that Chris shows can still be found. The small vase is also good but, a little more specialised. The Loving Cup that Mike shows is of a very fine quality. I don't think it is for the Boer War - probably Her 1887 or, 1897 Jubilee's. The piece is made of fine china - not pottery , as so many of them were. When three handles are present it becomes a 'Loving Cup' - for passing around for toasts. This though, is a miniature.for show. I hope we will see many other examples on this section.

Very well written Brian - and a warning to everone - even the fittest.

Hi Bison. From your point of view it is important that you establish - if at all possible - if two medals exist. The reason for this is if two become available - without proof of award - then yours will diminish greatly in value. I would have thought that the wording of the citation is the all important clue as to whether two separate awrds were made, or, was it just one that has had a replacement. Did the Govt. Gazette ever show awards to non-British people - I'm not sure ? Try thinking outside of the box - the British Embassy - or, nearest Consulate would have been involved in the presentation. Local newspapers must have covered the event - are there any family still in the area ? These sources could well be helpful. Even the French Embassy in London would have been consulted. Lots of homework for you - best of luck and please let us know how you get-on ? Mervyn

The revised Merit Certificate - now A5 size. Click to enlarge

It is not one of the main medals - or, the one given to team members. However, it does appear to show the Olympic Bell and has the correct date. Perhaps it is, as Uwe suggests - for a smaller event which wanted to link itself to the major event ? Mervyn