Mervyn Mitton

Ralph - I must congratulate you on a very unusual collection. What I don't understand is that you have had 128 views - but no one has commented. Many people collect the English Trench lighters - they were made mainly in the Base workshops. Probably most were made for personal use, but I expect many were also made to be sold to those who didn't have the use of the workshops. This accounts for the different units and badges. Because the greatcoat buttons made an ideal side panel they are usually used - perhaps the troops could buy the little petrol lighter to fit-in the case . However, I think it more likely that the entire lighters were made in the workshops. Where your collection has added interest is in the numbers of lighters from other Countries. They have been made in the same way using large buttons - however, the variations in shapes and materials on many of them add considerably to their value as a collection. I don't know what you pay for them - we used to sell the British ones for about 10pounds ($16). I notice that you also collect the little cases to hold matches. These are called Vesta Cases and held sulphur matches - the kind you strike on a rough surface. Small girls used to sell them from trays around their necks - you bought the number you needed. They were carried on the chain of the pocket watch and usually went into the left pocket of the waistcoat, with the watch in the right one. These were used by officers during the 1stWW - and often they had larger capacity ones made - often holding up to 50 matches. Vesta cases in silver usually sell for about 60 Pounds ($95) - however, if they have a very interesting decoration they can sell for much more. I hope other members will add any in their collections to your post. Best wishes Mervyn

Ross - the Brassards I can accept - they are all QE2 and changes will have been made to previous ceremonies. What I do have problems wiith are the Staves - which show Cyphers for King Edward and King George 5th. Had they been in use they would show up at auction along with the usual pattern. I think a little more research is needed ? As I said the Dean's Office and , of course, the Duke of Norfolk. All very interesting . Mervyn

Steve (Pathfinder's Son) - welcome to GMIC. Your personal recollections add great interest to this progressive post and I know that many Members have been following with great interest. Spasm - you know perfectly well that you should be paying me ....................... This has been a most interesting and informative post - well done for starting it off and keeping the information coming-in. Jock - a little levity is a natural way to cover the emotions of some of these posts on brave men. Police will often make jokes when dealing with serious crimes - just to prevent being too emotional. Thankyou for those pictures. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2014/post-6209-0-84160400-1418210666.jpgclick Hugh - I found these additional details on his entry in "Monuments to Courage" - the headstones and memorials to VC holders. Adds just a little more to your very interesting post. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2014/post-6209-0-95035400-1418210050.jpgclick A few extra details and a slightly deeper photo - showing an extra award. Taken from the two volume set on Victoria Cross Headstones and Monuments by David Harvey. Titled "Monuments to Courage"

Ross - in 40 + years of collecting I have never seen these patterns of Ushers' Rods. Personally, I would say modern items - intended to sell to collectors. However, you could double check with the Dean's Office at Westminster Abbey. Mervyn

Well...... that was certainly a good addition to the collection and your knowledge of General Bowles. The unscrupulous would use photo-shop to change the inkwell !!! Hope you have settled back to work ? Mervyn

Steve - just to give you a guide to prices - courtesy of the Medal Yearbook - the 1918 - 1930 issue - a total of 105 , is worth , as a Group, between 4500 and 6500 Pounds ($9000-10500). The ones issued between 1938 and 1949 are worth as a Group - a total of 6500 - between 2000 and 2500 pounds ($3200 - 4000). These may well have varied since my last volume. However, it shows that your friend needs insurance. (The Medal Yearbook is a valuable aid to any medal collector. To purchase one I will give their email address. Contact them first for current price and post. Please mention GMIC.) This is to help overseas members. Medal Yearbook Token Publishing Ltd. email : info@tokenpublishing.com web: www.tokenpublishing.com

Ross - this is the colour - I have never seen one in any other colour. The Duke of Norfolk is the Hereditery Grand Marshall of England and is responsible for organising all Royal Occasions. These include Coronations, Weddings , Jubilees etc.. He carries a special Baton - a separate one being made for each event. It's shape is based on the Batons shown on his coat of arms (see my post on his functions on this section .) I had the one for the occasion of the Wedding of the Prince of Wales in 1863 - he was later Edward 7th. He appoints the Gentlemen - who can be officers or civilians - to be the Ushers on all of these occasions. However, the Coronation is the one they have Batons. Mervyn

Sounds to have been a great trip - and a very historic part of Britain. Sometimes old pubs can have some very interesting items on their walls. Mervyn

These are not uncommon objects - however, what is rare is that he took the trouble to put his details with the mounting. There have been Ushers' Staffs for QE2, G6th , GVth, Edward 7th, Queen Victoria , Wm.4th, G4th and I think G3rd. They are a temporary appointment of Gentlemen who act as Ushers during the Coronation Ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The paint on the George 6th. was spray painted or lacquered and tends to flake off - perhaps think of a clear matt varnish. Good example Mervyn

There are no set prices - a lot depends on the details if it has been engraved. You can find bargains in out of the way places - but a good and historical tipstaff can sell for 1000 pounds ($1600) up-wards. When I did my book we could only find just over 2000 still in existance - and that included all British Museums. A few more have surfaced over the years, but they are in small numbers. Should you start collecting , be careful. Many are repainted or repaired. Try to send me a picture first. Mervyn

The silver hallmark indicates a date of 1903 - this would fit in with the earlier history which showed changes a few years later. I would suggest that you contact one of the London Auction Houses for an indication of price. Sotheby's or Christie's would be ideal and you can find them on-line. Mervyn

A rare medal and with the Air Crew Europe a valuable Bar. The 1stWW are worth more as they only issued about 25 - they can sell for over 5000 pounds. Get as much info. as you can and then with one I have for WW1 - with a few problems - we can make this a good post. I will wait for you to put on your info. first. Mervyn

The Holyrood House ones are quite distinctive - if my memory is correct. I am beginning to think that you have something far rarer - just possibly, the Gatekeeper or, more probably, the High Steward of a large Scottish Estate. If my surmise is corrrect it will probably be a Titled estate. With English large estates the landowner would be the local magistrate and a tipstaff would be in front of him when he sat as such. With Scotland - and it's history of Staves (or Staffs - the word is a plurality) I would not be surprised to find this on the Bench to show his authority. Now, where do we go from here ? Just a personal approach - I would have a nice leaflet witha variety of pictures of the staff - and send it to every Scottish museum asking for their help. Also, the author of a history of Scottish tipstaffs and truncheons died recently. At this time I can't remember his name - however, I expect some of our members will have bought the book and will be able to give details. There just might be a mention of this type of staff ? Best wishes Mervyn

Nightbreak - I have studied the pictures most carefully and have to be honest I can't work them out. What is the object - with what appears to be windows, above the numerals. Is it part of a Crown ? Perhaps try another picture where the whole staff can be seen - may make it a little clearer ? Mervyn

Some very interesting information - and a direct background to the PC who died by swallowing his teeth. Linking the medals to Police participants of the Jack the Ripper murders (as the public tended to know them) is a good one - and one that will keep our Research enthusiasts busy. One of our Members will shortly be publishing a new book on these murders. He has some quite different ideas - that will most probably prove to be very provocative. When I next hear from him I will let you know. Mervyn

Brian - a,very well written and informative article. For those who thought everything had been said about Churchill , this will be a short reminder that we can always learn from other points of view. Obviously, you could continue to expand on different sections and actions of his career ,however, we are a Forum and your approach will help younger (and indeed,older) members to refresh their memories of these events. Well done - a lot of work, but I think it very worthwhile. I will look forward to your next instalment. Mervyn

Hi Tony. Yes , it was local. I gave up the shop over a year ago now, however, people still track me down. This came from the 82 year old daughter . She had no-one to leave it to and wanted a collector to have it and keep the pieces together. I think this is a very sensible attitude , since auctions and dealers do tend to split things. Best wishes Mervyn

Mace - welcome to GMIC and thankyou for sending the close-up of the Mace Head. It is certainly Georgian in origin - I would think George 3rd. (1760-1820). * The naming is a little hard to read - even with the enlargement. It could be Inn. SHENCES (The Inn. standing for Innocent ?) The 'S' is the old style that looks like an 'f' - or it could be a K ? *May even date back to George 2nd ? The question - of course is this his name - or, the area of his responsibility ? The lower line is probably his rank - Bearer ; Beadle ; Constable, and his official number - in this case 'No. 1' With your 'name' of Mace - do you have anything to do with the care or, handling of these rare items ? It would be great to have some clarification on the wording. Best wishes Mervyn

Order of the Day + Testimonials http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-35434300-1417260018.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-40953400-1417260143.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-81224800-1417260257.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-84527800-1417260410.jpgclick

Patterson - marked with ink x - centre back. The discharge papers are shown. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-49351000-1417259305.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-46527900-1417259665.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-90723600-1417259823.jpgclick

Taken in 1915 - probably when he joined. They are equipped as for a Royal Horse Artillery Unit - the caption - which didn't print, said they were a training unit for Clerks. Patterson is front row - I marked X in ink. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-19197600-1417258904.jpgclick

A Christmas Card that he sent in 1918 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-51597500-1417258417.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-80206000-1417258570.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-63619100-1417258728.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-43657600-1417257686.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-84930800-1417257805.jpgclick This is an interesting Pair from the 1st World War - named to Cpl. J.A.A.PATTERSON RA. He served with 159th Brigade - and seems to have been attached to 35th Division. Apart fom having the original packing - including the insert - there are many of his documents from the time of his discharge in 1918. The medals did not reach him until 1920. He joined as a Gunner - one of the photos shows him at that date on a training course. He went onto be a Bombardier, Corporal and then Sergeant at HQ for the 159th Bde. Many of his Commanding Officers took the trouble to write him personal letters of testimony - and it is unusual that they have survived 96 years with the medals.