Mervyn Mitton

This was the caption that accompanied the photo

This should really be with a post that I remember Jean-Paul showed when the Award was first made. For some reason I can't seem to find-it - so here it is on it's own. The MC was first awarded in the 1st World War - in 1916. We were short of gallantry awards that could be given out for Acts hat didn't really qualify for the higher ones already in existance. Both the MC and the MM were introduced at the same time. The MC was intended for officers' to the rank of Major - and could also be given to W.O.'s 1 st Class. There were - of course, exceptions to this. The Military Medal was intended for N.C.O.'s and O.R.'s. Such was the intensity of the Battles that over 20,000 M.C. were awarded and well over 140,000 M.M.'s. A few years ago when the Honours System was reviewed a number of medals were opened to all Ranks - the M.C. being one of them. However, it is given sparingly and he has received a high honour.

A rare award, Zorg. Nice to see it - shame on the missing enamel. I wonder if one could be found ?

Ben - welcome to GMIC. Your Father's collection sounds very interesting and I am sure our members' will appreciate the advance warning. We do have our own selling site - further down the pages - and feel free to add any on here. Let us know if you need any help or, identifications. Mervyn

End - showing the brass and lead cap to allow use as a walking stick

Top - with 1907 silver hallmarks

Upright - with sword inside

This is a sword stick which tells a story of progress in the British Army. In the 18th. and 19th. Centuries British Line Officers' carried a self defence weapon known as a spontoon. Nicely decorated it had a shape similar to a Halberd and was mounted on a polished stick. When these were discontinued into the 19th. Century, officer's started to carry walking sticks. Probably to stop them putting their hands in their pockets - give support over rough ground and as an immediate weapon to fend off an attack whilst another weapon was drawn. Very quickly officers had swords mounted inside and these continued for many years. This example has a hallmarked silver top and is dated for 1907 - King Edward 7th. However, already the trend to shorten them had begun - this one is 31 inches overall ( 77.5 cm). This meant that it was probably more often carried under the arm. Walking sticks and their variations continued, but after WW1 they became more the shortened swagger stick that is still carried today.

Christian - welcome to GMIC - join-in as much as you can. For the photo - try reducing the size for now. You get a bigger allowance as your posts mount-up. I think Mike has identified it for you. Mervyn

Interesting note for the future historians - however, I have to say I bet the Badgers' don't think it's a 'sad' day ! The problem today is that there are 'little' people trying to tell everyone what they should say - do - and think. And, in my view the UK has become one of the worst for doing this. Apart from that - Welcome to GMIC. With friends doing interesting things like that you should have a lot to show and chat about. Mervyn

Frank - half the trouble is that DHL have started to increase their rates at a silly amount. I had an envelope - A5 size - and needed it to get to the UK quickly. They quoted Rands 950 - which is 85 pounds. I sent it by air through the PO for 4 pounds and it was there in a week. Perhaps it is better to trust the Post Office ? Mervyn

I have a strong re-collection of finding in an early book ref. to the two original Commissioners having a silver badge to show who they were. However, as we all know, these memories can rarely be tracked back and I have no idea where I read this.. I will have a look back - but, for now we will have to accept 1919.

Good advice Mark - members should take note. This is a quick way to identify the later issues.

Thanks 1314 - you are probably right about the HK Police using this pattern. It is virtually identical to the Victorian pattern - however, we can't check the weight for teak. Haven't heard from you for a while - have you added anything interesting ? Mervyn

Well done Dave - my memory wasn't so bad, I had remembered the rectangular shape - although I think the earliest ones had it sideways. They started with the first two joint Commissioners. The rank of DAC has appeared and disappeared several times over the years - didn't it come back in the 1970's ?

Thankyou for posting this Bill. As we said before, they can't be faulted for making their old age comfortable - they earn't them. Mervyn

The worst I ever saw was when I was first posted to Bethnal Green in London's East End. The next Station along was Commercial Street and they were in the process of pulling it down. This Station was built to help counter the fear from Jack The Ripper in the early 1880's and in the roof was every statement taken from witnesses - the public and shopkeepers at the time. The workmen took them into the yard and burnt them. The history that was destroyed through stupidity and ignorance....... Robin - I was very interested in your Father's truncheons - a great record of service. Did he actually serve as a mounted officer ? I ask because there were three Scottish Cities that had their own Societies of High Constables. They carried long decorated staffs of office - very similar to the ones you show. Mervyn

The Royal Family and Mr. Churchill at Buckingham Palace on VE Day

There have been some delays in finishing this Blog. The extension to our Photographic Competition took longer then we had expected. However - here are the final two parts to this section of my life - the younger part ! THE END BEGINS............... I covered in earlier chapters the damage to life and property created by the German V1 and V2 rockets - looking at the map which shows detonations I am amazed that any of us survived. However, after the D-Day landings in 1944 the German schedule was interupted and gradually the Rockets became less frequent. Shortages were something that we had learned to live with - which was just as well since they continued to get worse - not better. School and the usual activities of an active group of schoolboys did not allow for introspection - we just got on with life. With the Allied and US advances continuing the press seemed to give out more details and we all followed events closely on large maps. I remember at school that in the main Hall we had a particularly large map and everyday map pins - in different colours - were used to show advances and set-backs. I don't think I ever saw it without a crowd around and we certainly knew our European Countries. HOW LIFE HAD TO CHANGE: Even with clear memories of the period I still find it difficult to describe a total absence of any lights at night - of public transport being fragmentary and really only used in daytime - at least by us younger ones. My Uncle - who was a wealthy stockbroker , used to take me to his home in Somerset for a few weeks each summer. We had to travel on a steam train - which would be packed to capacity with servicemen. He and his City friends were - of course - First Class and we had seats. I always thought this was wrong and even at 8 years old used to say we should let people into the carriage. The other thing we learnt to live with was the terrible bomb damage - wherever you looked buildings had gone - streets were in tatters. Paint was very scarce - so, buildings all looked dirty and decayed. Even during the War , my parents would take me once a year to central London to get school uniforms and look for presents. My favourite shop at that age was Gamages - who had a lovely pet section. I think it was for Christmas 1944 we made the expedition - only to find it had been bombed totally flat - just gone ! VE DAY Victory in Europe Day had been building for quite a while - the newspapers and the radio were reporting our succeses and the atmosphere was 'not if' - but 'when'. This still didn't really mean a lot to us - we just had no idea of what 'normal' life was. For example - I had never seen or, eaten a banana. I had never seen a coconut - just so many things. May 8th 1945 the War was declared over in Europe - that evening lights were switched-on. That was a shock to a small boy who had never seen street or, car lights. My Father had a small petrol allowance for the business and he had saved some coupons. A few days after, we joined heavy traffic to drive to the West End of London and see Piccadilly Circus - and with all of the old pre-war neon signs on. WOW ! We were easily pleased. The crowds outside of Buckinham Palace and Downing Street are still something used for comparisons. I will show a number of pictures from this time. The story will continue for one further chapter to 1949 when we emigrated to Australia. A V2 rocket on display in Trafalgar Square in 1945. St. Martin's in the Field and South Africa House in background

Thankyou everyone for your great help in sorting out his awards - I am most grateful. When I have more information I will add to the thread. Mervyn

I thought I recognised the name - however, you can never assume ? I am a member of PICA also - but a later member, I think my number is 700 or, something. We will look forward to your future posts - with your bakground you are 'doubly' welcome. Mervyn

The current issue of the Medals Year Book for 2012 is showing both sides of the award. No prices yet.

Brian - I think you have found a very nice example for the British Colonial Police - and it would appear to have a fairly early badge. There is not a great deal of range within the Colonial Police - their everday uniforms are all very much the same and similarly, the full dress follow a pattern. I think with this post it would be an excellent opportunity for us to explore our Colonial uniform heritage - our new member , Dave, (welcome to GMIC) seems to have good knowledge and could perhaps enlarge on the theme ? Dave - do you have a connection with Police - or, is it just an interest ? Brian, I know we have to agree together on 'pinning' - however, I will do so with this post as it has great potential. Mervyn

Another interesting and well written article Brian. I do wonder if anyone actually reads these blogs. I have my final two to post - but, am wondering if it is worth the effort. Just to finish the story, I probably will at the weekend.

Peter - I was wondering , if perhaps, they recorded incidents ! I saw Frank's mention of snow - I'm afraid you may have a rough winter. Patterns are all over the place - our rainfall in the past three weeks exceeds 20 inches....