Mervyn Mitton

I will acknowledge this info. when I post the medal group - thankyou. What distinguishing colour does the Navy have for it's medics. ? ?

Well ! I thought he looked like Jack Warner. I don't remember Christie being a Special ?

Addiscombe - welcome to GMIC. I must be honest and say the name doesn't immediately ring bells with me either. Like Mike I will have a look through some Boer War ref. books. Mervyn

Blueman - you're doing very well at these auctions ! Please let me have a close-up of the silver hallmarks - that will confirm the date. You have with these the Regimental officers' cross belt and the silver dress epaulettes. Value wise - probably around 1500 to 2000 pounds - or, perhaps more. Check with a London auctioneer. Mervyn p.s. The belt is in particularly fine condition and still has the prickers near the tip. These were for cleaning out the touch hole on a firearm - and also for making a hole in the cardboard cartridge.

That's a good identification for these shoulder boards - the RNR medal group - will post in a few days - was to an Engineer Officer. Therefore , it looks as if he ended up a Merchant Navy Chief Engineer - probably between the Wars. I will be arranging for his papers and will come back if I get more info. Thankyou both for your comments and help. Mervyn

Craig - I'm sorry to say I thought him a 'miserable old sod'. In his role of Dixon of Dock Green , we asked him to officially open the Police exhibition we put-on to cover East End History. When I spoke to him on the phone, the first thing he asked me was - "How much do I get paid ?'. He would have had wonderful publicity - the Comm. ; Dep. Comm.; and all 4 Asst. Comms. were at the opening lunch. We asked the Bishop of Stepney to take his place.

Ah ! Now that's a good point Mike. I have just bought two quite rare 1st WW groups - one of which is to an officer of engineers. However, purple has always been for medical in Britain - although I am sure there are exceptions. Didn't the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve have an insignia to show they weren't regulars ? Perhaps it is for the Merchant Navy - apart from the groups there were a number of min. groups about which the family knew nothing. This is why I show these items - we never had a lot of ships sailing through the East End of London - even on night duty !

When Masonic items come-in I usually post them for this Forum's benefit. I don't think this is anything special, but will leave you to comment. Mervyn

This will be nostalgic to all South Africans who served in the Border Wars. 32 Bn. had a fearsome reputation, although looking at the tummies on these NCO's you could have doubts. Any - and I mean ANY - item connected with this unit brings a premium - even their crockery. Thanks for the Video Chris. Mervyn

I just had to post this one - it is the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini - in full Zulu dress. I think the rifle may be a hunting type - but, it just looks so incongruous with the leopard skins ?

Adding to our few Naval posts - these are the shoulder rank boards for a medical officer. They date to WW2 and all have the purple between the gold braid to show he was a Doctor. They start with a Lieutenant (Captain in the Army), Commander - 3 stripes (Lt. Col.) and 4 stripes for a Captain (Colonel). The longer 3 stripes are the sleeve insignia for a Commander - I think the Lozenge shape indicates a Volunteer ?

Any chance you could modify them a bit and also Post with us ? Mervyn

Hi Steve - welcome to GMIC - you look very relaxed in the photo ? I am sure Brian will want to chat to you and other members will give you advice on research. Mervyn

Christerd - this really is a good thread and some of the ships are fascinating. I hope you will continue to post and if any postcards of a similar nature come-in to the shop I will let you know. Mervyn

Nice example Mike - was there a date issue ? For that price I think you should be arrested and charged with extortion they are very scarce and worth a great deal more. I was looking at a list this morning that showed the current price for a QSA to Strathcona 's Horse. You're retirement must be taken care of ? Mervyn

Mike , some important research in the article. Thankyou for taking the time to make the post. Bermuda , excellent series of photographs - again the material required for research and general collectors. Thankyou for your time. Mervyn

Brian - a great historical story - I hadn't even heard of it. Were they actually Army - there to do a Police job, or , were they actually British Police Officers ? Post War we often sent Police contingents, but, I don't remember earlier ones. Mervyn

Thanks Arthur - I guessed that he must have continued in Service for a while - the medals didn't come through that quickly. As always thankyou for putting me right on the detailed SA knowledge - remember, I'm an Aussie at heart ! Mervyn

Brian and I - as co- Hosts on the British sections - were saying yesterday that some good Medal items have been coming onto the Forum. We are anxious to encourage discussion on good groups and will 'pin' and award a certificate where we think it is deserved. However, as happened a few years ago - the number of posts is causing other good ones to go quickly down the list. We would like to draw your attention that with many of the posts a lot or research has been carried out - even if you have no further information to add, do put a note to the Member saying you enjoyed the post - or , ask a question. This will keep all of the more recent posts 'turning' over for viewing. Please contact either of us if you have any questions - or, would like a specific subject covered. We will 'pin' this note for a week or, so - to allow members to view. We all look forward to a good 2012. PLEASE NOTE - THESE COMMENTS APPLY TO ALL BRITISH FORUMS + ANYTHING WE LOOK AFTER ! Brian and Mervyn

Christerd - some very interesting pictures and accounts. With the British ship - Duchess of York - why did the British sink her - did the bombing from the Condor leave her in poor condition ? Mervyn

This example was also issued in August 1895 - the Armouries must have prepared a batch for issue.

I have recently purchased another example of this fairly rare sawback sword. Unfortunately the scabbard is missing something I mentioned earlier, since the leather was easily pierced by the point of the blade.

39/45 Star ; Africa Star - with 8th. Army clasp ; Italy Star ; Defence medal ; War Medal ; Afica Medal.

This was the Chief Petty Officer tunic pattern for Sth. Africa - it has as the badge a gold lion on the sleeve - this was different to the British pattern. His ribbon bars are as mounted. He was obviously still serving until after the War.

Steve - there are often problems with early badges for new units. The authorities often seem to make changes. Would it be possible to post a picture of the one you have ? Mervyn