Mervyn Mitton

Claudio - I think with the D.S.C it's a case of how do you select one person for an award from a whole ship. Obviously individual acts of great bravery are noted and rewarded. I had never heard this story about the gunning of sailors. Quite disgraceful - we were always outraged when our boats or, survivors were attacked. I suppose it really comes down to - ' those who win a war, censor the reports'.....

Hello - George Albert. You continue to surprise us with your exceptional collection of US headgear - one of the finest I have seen for period, styles and patterns. Valuable in it's own right - but even more-so for the collector and students. I have particularly enjoyed looking at the earlier patterns of shakos - Fencibles were an early form of local defense unit in Britain - I think the derivation of the word is from the French. Bearing in mind that this was the U.S.'s most isolationist period it is amazing how overseas styles were copied. You can see this flowing into the blue cloth helmets. These were originally from Prussia and since Britain 'ruled the waves' and Germany had the top armed forces - in the 1860's our army adopted the pattern. The British Police also followed the style - allowing the Top Hats to be withdrawn. From the British Police - certain American police Forces followed the pattern - although , usually without a helmet plate (or, Badge). I don't have a complete list of the States that used this pattern - certainly New York and Boston - and I think Philadelphia. Should you have a further list it would be good to know - also, do you have any of the old US police helmets ? I think your pictures have come out well - we all have problems in the beginning because of the restrictions on downloads - however, may I suggest that you 'tease' us a little. Don't put the whole collection on in one go - a few at a time will keep the interest going. Also, this is not a critiscism - just an observation - but you are dealing with a sophisticated audience in this forum and if you have a few more details (numbers issued, styles for officers and men etc.) on individual pieces they will be understood. I shall be looking forward to seeing other treasures from your collection. I'm sure I speak for many members when I say 'Thankyou' for your hard work. We all know how long it takes to post this number of items. Mervyn One final question - do you have a pattern of hat for the 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Big Horn ? I ask because I am starting work on a tipstaff I have for Canada . This was carried as his staff of authority by The North West Mounted Police Superintendent , who allowed Chief Sitting Bull and the Sioux Nation to take refuge in Canada, away from the pursuing US Army. When I post this, it would be great to have an illustration of the army hat.

Gordon - what a wonderfully interesting post. Thankyou for taking so much time and trouble to prepare it all. Whilst I had obviously heard of the Force, I knew virtually nothing about it - and now I do.... Something additional I also learned - the mounted section wear British - Metropolitan Police Helmets. Outside of the UK the only other ones, on a regular basis, are New Zealand and Gibralter. Would it be possible to get an enlargement , particularly of the helmet plate ? Another question - with the early Victorian connection, did they carry heraldicaly decorated truncheons - and if so, do any of the museums have examples ? I can only say, that I hope when I post on police items, that I am as informative as you have been. Mervyn

Interesting medal Norman, which should have been of a far higher quality - for what is a Gallantry award. Megan has shown some excellent quality medals and insignia for African countries - I think she needs to have strong words with the Zambian Govt. ?

Are you alright Stuart - I hope this exclamation doesn't mean you forgot to take the pills ???

Claudio - a really superb and rare group - anything for Submarines commands a high premium. The name 'Thrasher' rings a bell - I think she sank after the War - Leigh can probably tell us ? The DSC was more sparingly awarded than the MC or DFC - not sure of the exact numbers - however, I am surprised that with such a special group that the Italy Star has not been put in the right place - it should follow the Africa Star. Thankyou for the sight of this group.

Just a little extra comment - which may interest some of the coin and banknote collectors. I lived in Bangkok from 1960 to 1964 and received this One Baht ( previously known as a Tical) note in change. King Bhumipol's Father died at the end of WW2 and his Brother became King - however, he was murdered very shortly afterwards by communist agitators. Bhumipol - ascended the Throne , but he was a young boy , as you can see in his portrait and a Regent held power until he was old enough. I think this happened in 1946, but I am open to correction. From this early and inauspicious beginning, it makes it even more remarkable that he has lived for so long - and , both he and his wife, are very highly regarded by the Thai people.

The Officers are wearing black mourning bands for the death of Queen Victoria.

Commanding Officer of the Diamond Fields Artillery : Captain ( local Major ) MAY

Leigh - a great photo from a famous siege. I am posting some pictures of the Diamond Fields Artillery - it was a small unit - with small guns. Your man is on the roll and must be in one of the pictures - but, I haven't been able to pick him out - see if you have more success ? These are all from the official commemorative book published by the Kimberley Town Council in 1902 and many are rare.

Some very interesting headgear. I particularly like the Fencibles Shako - very similar to the British first pattern with it's large shako plate - however, it is much slimmer in appearance. Thankyou for posting these - we don't see nearly enough of historical American items. Mervyn

I would rather have King Bhumipol anyday - he is the World's longest reigning Monarch, but I believe is presently ill ?

Two nice Brassards, Brian - and the post came out well, so you're comp. problems may be solved. Vickers has laid out the normal ratio of Insp./Sgts/P.C.'s. He also mentions the hostility that has often occured in the past between Regulars and Specials. I don't really think your post on Specials is the right place to explore this, being oriented to equipment - however it has always been a problem and is worthy of some discussion - but, is a collector's forum the place to go into something which can be sensitive and cause hurt feelings ? Perhaps we should start a discussion in the Lounge - or on the new Forum, if there are enough Police ?

Darrell - as always, good medals and well researched. Mutiny medals have become quite scarce for the interesting clasps, so, excellent additions to your collection. Do you have other Mutiny clasps ?

The Arms are for the City of Manchester in the U.K.

Ask anyone who Sherlock Holmes is and almost without fail they will say - ' the famous Victorian detective ' . Not everyone, however, realises that he is a fictional character created by the author - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes was renowned - in every novel - for his brilliant observations and great deductive thought processes - but, where did the idea for this great detective come from ? Well, he existed in real life - Jerome CAMINADA , Chief Inspector of Detectives for the Manchester Police in the 1870's. His exploits and arrests were reported in every paper and he was very well known and a great hero of his day - even Queen Victoria asked to meet him. Without doubt the most celebrated and renowned policeman of the 19th Century. We have no reason to doubt that he was the 'original thought' which led to the creation of Sherlock Holmes. He wrote two books detailing his various cases and if you can get hold of a copy, they make fascinating reading - you realise that nothing is new ' where crime is concerned ' - people just keep finding different ways to re-hash the method. For the past 30 years I have owned his gilt brass tipstaff - inscribed with his rank and name and dated 1876. There has always been interest to purchase this from me - however, I have only recently agreed to sell, plus the books, and thought it would be interesting to share his background with you. Tipstaffs and the heraldically painted truncheons are some of the rarest items in the collecting field of Police and their history can be traced back for over 800 years - without these pieces it was not possible for the early Constables, Magistrates and officials to effectively carry out their jobs. Always remember, that a pattern of sword or, pistol could be made in the thousands - but, a tipstaff or, truncheon might be the only one in existance.

Chris - Intelligence Officers, often have what is called 'concealed service'. The details are not revealed. To be a Captain at that time shows previous service and it must have been pre- Intel Corps. I would think France and the date refers to a posting to France - possibly to check on prisoners - but who knows ? You will note the added bit about applying for medals - so he must have had the entitlement of two, or three.