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Everything posted by Mervyn Mitton
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Congratulations Brian - this post has exceeded 17000 ! Must make it one of the most visited. After a while they seem to get a life of their own and just keep multiplying - I think new members see the numbers and feel they should visit. I've noticed this with the Zulu post. Anyway - well done and keep finding things......... Mervyn
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Hi - Alf. I would certainly recommend the British War Museum - on the South bank of the Thames. Any taxi can take you. The Tower of London is always of interest. Try and buy a copy of 'The Antiques Trade Gazette' - they sell it on the bigger news kiosks - that will give you current auctions and fairs. Gray's Antique Market - just off Regent St. and alongside Bond St. tube - I think it is Gray St., is well worth a visit - lots of small stands selling all sorts of good things. Many dealers have moved from central London because of the rents - however, the area around the Angel tube station in Islington is worth a walk around. Also, there is a big market at Camden Lock at weekends. Check on this and times. That should keep you busy for a week and I'm sure you will get many other suggestions. Have a great trip and tell us what you find. Mervyn
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Stuart this is why the old prints are valuable historical commentaries. George 3rd. was always known as 'The Farmer or, Farmer George' - he was happiest when on the land and was known to work alongside his men. The ref. to Farmer's Son - is to show that it is the prince Regent Your latest print is even more interesting. The reference to Thone in Danger - is due to the fat little woman behind the curtain. This is Mrs. FitzHerbert who the Prince morganaticaly married in secret. The Heir cannot marry without Parliament's permission - and not to a commoner. His form of marriage was to prevent any claim to the throne - however, it made him a bigamist. The figure in uniform is the Duke of Wellington and he is holding the Great Sword of State. The Dof W was the heriditary High Constable of England - and it is in this capacity that he is warning George of the dangerous act he has committed. There were only two heriditary High Constables - one for England and the one for Ireland - who was the Duke of Leinster. I have his staff of office in my remaining collection.
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Hi - Windu. Should any member wish to start their own Kris armoury, they now have all the info. - interesting. What I have noticed - and your illustration on Page 1 shows it clearly with the different means of carrying a Kris - is how the Indonesian Islands moved away from the other South East Asian Countries. Obviously Malaya uses the Kris - but, Thailand,Burma and most of the other areas used a longer weapon - which was usually carried down the small of the back for an easy 'sweep' down. I wonder why - do you think it has anything to do with the fact that both are Muslim countries ? In fact Indonesia is the largest Muslim group in the World.
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Stuart - two very descriptive old prints. As Odulf says - ' you can't miss Wellington's profile'. The second one - the fat tailor looks like George 4th and the figure on his right - could that be the D of W again ? G4th was King from 1820 to 1830, but from 1812 to 1820 was the prince Regent as acting King. I hope more members will add to this interesting post - history as it was enacted in those early days !
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Moderators Choice Peninsular GSM?
Mervyn Mitton replied to Spasm's topic in Great Britain: Orders, Gallantry, Campaign Medals
Spaz - what a pity if she falls out of the window now - you will be at least a suspect. This is a valuable medal - if untouched - and I really feel it is unwise for her to take it to an old age home. I regret saying this, however, there are many unscrupulous people who hang around these homes trying to buy things cheaply. The Bank would be safest - perhaps you could offer to hold-it for her and give a letter stating clearly that it is her property ? -
Hi - Greg. Your blog is going well - although I missed the one about an earthquake - where are you living - Hawaii ? I hope that some of these photos you are taking are going to appear in the Photo Competition ? We have used the new logo on both the plaques and the Certificate of Merit. I will be sending you a Certificate - however, if you want one of the expensive plaques - you must win-it ! Mervyn
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When Nick first told us a few weeks ago that he was setting up a special Blog for GMIC members - I must be honest and say my first thoughts were - ' whatever for - we have the Forum' for that purpose' Well, I've thought it over, I've read the blogs from other members and have enjoyed them - and now I agree with him, that this gives us a freedom of expression that is not available on the open Forums. Thinking of a subject has been difficult - but, I do wish to support Nick - he runs the backbone of this special Forum almost singlehanded - the Mods. are mainly his watchdogs and committee. I would like to make it clear to anyone who does read this, that it is new to me. I have made a few pages of notes with regard to early memories - but, that's it ! I am - like many of our members - a published author in the non.fiction World and this does give me an advantage as I enjoy the expressiveness of English and it's descriptive abilities. However, as with my posts on GMIC I write as I go along - I rarely do a lot of research - therefore, I will have the odd spelling mistake - or, go off track. As I write memories will come back so, I may well go off at a tangent to explain a point. Bear with me - you may even find this old history interesting ? THE PLOT THICKENS...... So, my heading says 'Memories of World War 2 ' . Your first reaction could well be - but, it's all been done before - everbody and his dog have written-up the battles - the regiments - the heroes. Well, that is what GMIC is all about, so at least I know I will have knowledgeable readers. Well, probably all one or, two of you ? There is one important detail you have missed - in 2 months I will hit the distinguished old age of 75 ! I was born in December 1936 - and am therefore in a unique position of being able to cover ' my bit of the War ' from the perspective of a small boy who lived in London for the entire 5 years of WW2. (i AM PAUSING AT THIS POINT TO SEE IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE ME TO CONTINUE. i THOUGHT AT WEEKLY INTERVALS ? DON'T BE FRIGHTENED OF TELLING ME TO B........ OFF ! ALSO , I HOPE IT WILL GIVE MANY MORE MEMBERS THOUGHTS OF THEIR OWN BLOG - 2ND BUTTON AT TOP)
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INTRODUCTION : When Nick first mentioned that he was setting up a Blog for members to post personal militaria related material - I thought - 'whatever for - this is what GMIC does every day'. Well, I've given it serious consideration - have read other contributions, which I enjoyed, and have now decided on a subject. I am wondering if it will be interesting enough for members to want to visit regularly - however, like all things in life - if you don't make an effort - you will never know. M
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Hello Bill - welcome to the Forum and we will hope that you will become an active member. Please let us know how your friend gets on with his research - perhaps he could take a few more pictures of the blade and particularly, where it joins the hilt. Best wishes Mervyn
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WW1 Military Medal Grouping
Mervyn Mitton replied to jedburgh's topic in Great Britain: Orders, Gallantry, Campaign Medals
Clive - a nice group. I've deleted the double post - but can't see that you have made a spelling mistake on his name ? I'm sure you will have replies from some of our members who enjoy research. Mervyn -
This is a 1914 sawback bayonet for the Schmidt Rubin - Swiss standard equipment . One of the biggest bayonets, I am showing it as it could easily have been used for the purposes of the British Pioneer Sword.
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The British have had several patterns of sawback bayonets - however, this is the only sword. Carried by the Pioneers it was adopted in 1856 and was in use for quite a short period - into the early years of the 20th. Century. The purpose for the sword was two fold - it was obviously a weapon - but, with a the strong blade the sawback functioned as an effective saw. This was of particular use when cutting brush down to allow a good field of fire and also, for clearing bivouac areas. The blade is just over 22 inches in length (55cm). This is a Wilkinson made version and - as the stampings show - was issued in August 1895. The markings on the reverse show two Inspection stamps. 'WD' and the Broad Arrow and finally, a large X which shows it was officially sold out of service. Unfortunately, the leather scabbard, with it's brass fittings has gone missing with time. This is quite common - leather scabbards are very vulnerable when the sword is being sheathed - if not held straight, the chances are the blade will hole the leather.
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WW2 RCAF photo album (home front)
Mervyn Mitton replied to TacHel's topic in Great Britain: Research, Documentation & History
Frank - a really great set of pictures - and thankyou for letting me see them. I hope you will post them on the Canadian section - the ones with Air Marshall Bishop are important. In fact - if you ever have any spare time, a write-up on him and how he was awarded the VC would make one of our Mods' Recommendations. I am sincerely hoping that you are going to enter many - many photos for the competition ? Like for Police, you will be one of the few with access to rare materia. Very best wishes Mervyn -
Mike that is quite amazing - so, it confirms that there was a larger one - or does it, perhaps they made one for each year. They seem to be identical, apart from the spears behind the shields on mine. These co-incidences always surprise me - one happened today. I had posted under Awards on our section an Officer's Decoration with Edward 7th. Cypher. There was a name on the reverse of the box - however, he wouldn't have been entitled to such an early and discontinued award. Today - his Granddaughter joined the Forum ! I was really thrilled that we were able to be of help. Mervyn
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The medal clearly shows that it was for service in Eritrea - and not Ethiopia. The Roman Fasces are on both sides - these were carried in front of Roman magistrates and showed that he had the right to order floggings (the rods) - with the axe , it meant the right to order execution. The Italians used to have medals at State level and at Regimental level - this is for the latter.