Mervyn Mitton

Bill - these three posts are very interesting, however, they don't call for an immediate reply from members. This is quite common with posts - when it happens make an additional post with some further information and that will show one reply. Your posts have been informative and interesting and I hope you will be able to continue. Mervyn

Some very unpleasant comments at the end - makes you realise the intolerance of people. The plan to mint their own coins has little merit apart from the propaganda for them. Gold is at a severe low at present and shows little sign of recovery. History shows us that in times of crisis gold is bought-up as a safeguard and increases in value. This has not been the case in recent years and whilst it remains a desireable safeguard in case of trouble, the Middle East seems to have lost interest in it - perhaps they have so much stored away they don't need any more. Perhaps the IT era with immediate transfers of large amounts in seconds , has done away with the need for large amounts of gold ?

There are a number of Caravanserais - or shelters for the Camel Caravans which brough spices etc. from the East - still in amazing condition and open to tourists. They were spaced - usually - at the distance a Caravan could travel in a day and provided shelter and food overnight. They were mostly covered in lovely ceramic tiling - for which the area was famous. This whole area dates back to the Sumerian and the Assyrian periods - the local tribesmen - known as Medes fought for their independence and this became the Persian empire. All part of Alexander the Great's empire in the 300B.C.

This goes nicely with our pinned challenge coins - under the Coin section.

Good reference for anyone following this Regiment.

Yes - I missed this post from the family as well - I would have drawn your attention. Hopefully they will look back at some point. To answer your question on living arrangements. Today, few police live in their Station area - unless it is an outer suburb. However, back in the 1880's/90/s it was almost expected that they would have lodgings nearby - travel was too difficult. Single men lived in Police Section Houses - usually one to a Division - this kept them together and provided a strong number in case of emergency. The British Police - from their earliest days - have been a Civilian Force and part of the Community. Generally, they lived in the same way as others of a similar income and were seen as an example to the area and in case of need, they were there. The very early days of great hostility to the new 'Peelers' quickly gave way to seeing them as an asset to everday life. Mervyn

To avoid any confusion, this is a CBE - Commander of the British Empire. Beneath this were the OBE, MBE and BEM. Above was the KBE - Knight of the British Empire. The CBE has never been handed out as frequently as the MBE and OBE and is regarded as a good Honour. Very often awarded to Diplomats - or, Foreigners who have helped in some significant way. This would fit in with the descriptions. Mervyn

When you are re-conditioning old uniforms the small things like buttons become very important. Because tunics and other identifiable uniform have to be handed-in to prevent illegal use if they should be sold off, there is usually a shortage of the 'furniture' (as these bits are called). I remember that my greatcoat had horn buttons. The damn thing was so heavy I could hardly walk in it - let alone chase anybody. Fortunately, in about 1970 we were issued with an additional car-coat. This was warm and very comfortable and only came to the knees. The great coat was intended to be worn with the cape over it for wet weather. We were also issued with two grades of raincoats - one heavy and the other lighter for Summer. Any way well done on your new acquisitions - you could set-up selling buttons . I don't think many people actually make full collections of them. I must have sent 7 or 800 to auction when the shop closed. Many for Rhodesia and old SA Regts. very few people ever asked for them. Mervyn

Hugh - a very famous VC holder - and a man of incredible bravery and determination. Thankyou for posting his history - I found it fascinating reading. I think the old saying applies - " They don't make them like that any more ! " This of course is not strictly true - however, the periods he lived and operated-in had far fewer restrictions then affect the present British Forces. Best wishes Mervyn

There could be a number of reasons for using an alias - the most usual one being if he held a title. I find it a pity that the group has been split so badly - and is being sold off on ebay. Perhaps one of our research members will be able to help you. Mervyn

Thankyou Megan. The Act was abolished some 40 years ago. I took part in the last major Riot case, this took place at the Old Bailey. They were trying to destroy the Sth. African Embassy and I was on my way - off duty to post a letter at the 24 hour post office next to St. Martin's in the Fields. As I got caught up with the mob, one of them threw a dustbin through the windows of the Duncannon Arms - adjoining the Embassy. I followed and when we were near Police lines I called 'Police' and pushed him through. He was one of 9 charged - but the number of lawyers involved caused confusion and in the end they were all discharged. Mervyn

A lovely collection and well displayed. We will hope to have you posting regularly on the Forum. One thing - what is your first name - we can't keep calling you PerthRegiment ! Mervyn

Welcome to GMIC. When the members who were posting on this subject see your addition , I am sure you will have a number of comments. Mervyn

It is so African in appearance that if it weren't for the Initials............... Certainly a big head, I wonder how long the shaft was ?

My advice - if you get an offer - take-it !

The short answer to that question is - fortunately NO ! Wouldn't be able to understand a word. Do they have a collectable value ? Troy - how is your collection coming along ? I think when I was a boy Hotspur was the main comic - however, with the War they were printed with few pages. From the early 20th C. The Boy's Own were probably the favourites. Now , over a hundred years later they have quite a value. Mervyn

Thankyou all for adding to this thread. Fire and Ambulance are often the forgotten services - which is unfortunate. I think it strange that the British Brigades have not featured - they have a wealth of different medals. We must not overlook the uniforms and equipment that was in use in the past - and now. The old Brass helmets are always worth a picture. Mervyn

Yes - thankyou Kris. I would have thought the German Occupation overprints might have had value - obviously not. Mervyn

The local Militias were a litttle nervous of opening fire on Riots after the 1812 Peterloo Massacre in Manchester. To declare a Riot you needed a Magistrate to stand in front of the crowd and read the correct wording which declared it to be a Riot and a Riotous Assembly. First find your Magistrate - most of them were the first out of the area. This was why the first two Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police were made magistrates - which continued until recently. When it was declared officially a Riot, the consequences were severe - force was allowed to break things-up. Since the Declaration of Riot made the Government responsible for all damage then most Civic authorities were happy to see a firm hand. The recent Riots , with attendent damage in London and other areas show that a firm response is still required. Mervyn

Thee rest of the World is trying to ban smoking but the Forces get 800 cigs a month or 1kg of tobacco. That's 24 a day !

Thankyou Norman. Despite the shear size of the collection , a lot are just bags of stamps cut from envelopes and ready for mounting. The albums are very extensive and places like South Africa and Australia, Britain and Germany are very well covered. There are also a lot of First Day covers going back to WW2. Please let me know if there are any countries you would like me to show ? Mervyn

Some very interesting pictures Spasm. Unfortunately I can't make out the details on the Brass Tipstave - as you say Museum authorities can be very unhelpful - mostly a 'jobsworth' complex. The Bristol Riots were very serious and destructive. The mural is very left wing since it shows underneath that it was an "uprising" and not a Riot. Interesting to see some of the Buildings - Bristol has always been an important Town. Mervyn

Is any member able to help this lady ? Mervyn

BELGIUM http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-34755000-1416394763.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-24099200-1416394958.jpgclick

I have bought a collection of stamps - fills a milk crate. These are not my field , however, the collection goes back preWW2 and there are some interesting German varieties. Also, several countries have the overprinting to show German Occupation. The British ones have a number of Victoria Heads and also what look like like Penny Blacks - however, they sayy Postage and Revenue ? Each section runs into many pages - I will post a few from the Uk and from Belgium. Perhaps someone can tell us a little about them - and helpfully, an approx. value. Mervyn http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-62920000-1416393918.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-6209-0-69327600-1416394335.jpgclick