Mervyn Mitton

This interesting article from my Home Page - www.iafrica.com - is about the two 18 pounder cannons which have been fired daily since 1802 in Capetown. They are almost certainly Naval and would have been landed to help the military in their battles against the Dutch. These were landed in our first occupation of the Cape in 1795. The Cape was returned to the Dutch in the Peace with Napoleon - and our second expedition re-took it in 1805 and we retained it until Independence in 1910. 209 years is a long time to be firing the same guns...

The lining to the Crown is usually red velvet - however, I have seen them in purple. The reason for the lining is heraldic - it represents the Cap of Maintenance - worn only by the Sovereign. Back in the 11th and 12 th Centuries it probably had the original purpose of protecting the head from the harshness of a metal helmet. For the King , it came to represent his authority and also,responsibilities to his People. It would be worn at most times when the Crown was not being worn - but, if the Crown was in place the Cap was underneath. Eventually, it was incorporated in the Body of the Crown. An important part of the Royal regalia.

Peter - it's called 'advancing age' - and I promise you it gets worse. Next time find your glasses first .... Mervyn

Nesredep - Hi, the item starting on 622, is very similar to a WW1 trench periscope . How does it work on the 20mm ?

This is an unusual item , for a number of reasons. The Crown and top half of the shaft are almost certainly Georgian - that is pre-1830. The shape and style of the crown indicate this. However, the shaft - with it's very Indian appearance, was probably inserted during the time of the Hon. East India Company - or, pre 1860. Perhaps the original carved wooden handle was damaged - or, if the tipstaff was for an Indian official to carry, then it may have been changed to give him local authority. There is a long history of Indian officials - such as treasury guard commanders, bodyguard N.C.O.'s etc. - however, whilst you hear of them, they are not often seen.

As Alex says - certainly pre-1952. However, I think you may find it to be just either side of WW2 - or, even WW2. I saw an identical one recently - they were asking £25 ($40)

Well done Bob - with the present situation in Iraq these are going to attract a lot of interest. Are they all current ? Would be nice if someone could add photos of the uniforms showing the patches being worn ?

Hi - Garth. Nice that you have taken the trouble to write all of this valuable ref. on units and dates down. Always important - and yet not often found in one place.

That's very interesting Tom. Like Brian, I didn't know that other Forces had used this style.

Garth - that has to win you a prize for the 'rarest' - I've never seen one either. I wonder what a collector would pay ? p.s. - I've been meaning to say your motto gave me a good laugh...

I agree with Graham - Army Pay Corps. I think the intertwined script is approx. WW1 period. Anyone got Kipling and King ? Value wise - I would say around £8-£10.

Hugh - we fell into the oldest trap of all - we read into it what we wanted to see.... The old expression being - 'Hoist with your own petard !' (A Petard was the explosive device - with a fuse - that they used to fix on castle gates to knock them down - they had a short fuse...) Had I not posted the proven King's Messenger Badge, we probably wouldn't have tried to link them. Never mind, keeps our minds active. At least Garth knows what he has - despite our efforts !!

Garth - we live and learn. I much preferred our earlier thoughts and I know Hugh and others will be disappointed. I wonder if one of the GMIC Masons can throw out any further information ?

Good set - Ian. I particularly like the style of the first one. Are you now able to do attachments ?

Erich - they are possibly in the Capetown Old Fort - which I think has a museum attached. Alternatively, The Cape Archives. They would need to be the original Muster Rolls - the medal rolls only show who was in that engagement. I have a number of these, but Brown does not seem to feature and I don't have the roll for Moirosi's Mountain.

Jonathan - valuable information and I thought the cuttings were most interesting. The four swords together are impressive - any more in sight ?

Sorry Brian - you may be a friend, but quite honestly I wouldn't want you in the same office with a mortar bomb .....

Thankyou, Paddy - and welcome to GMIC. I see you are in Dorset - I have a flat in Bournemouth. I think Dorset is still one of the most unspoilt Counties.

Hi Brian - I agree with you, I think they are more interesting with the Force coat of arms. I wouldn't clean too often - the aluminium is soft. I would use detergent and a toothbrush.

Eric - nice to see this badge on it's correct beret. For some reason this badge is fairly common - but usually just loose in boxes with others. I missed answering your question on other types of memorabilia postings - my feeling would be anything to do with Police, Home Affairs and the Services - incl. paperwork, posters and warning notices. What do you and other Rhodie collectors think ?

Kim - I think the concensus of opinion is that he changed his name on coming to a new country. That, or it was given at immigration. Ellis Island Immigration Dept. in New York, was notorious for giving anglicised names to immigrants with difficult ones. I would say that his origins of being Swedish are correct. There would be a place on the forms for 'Country of origin (or birth)' and this would have been filled-in corrrectly. The problem will be getting access to the original forms - even if they still exist. The Rolls for CMR are not likely to show anything further then Sweden - it is the immigration papers you will need, to see where he came from and if he changed his name. Immediately, two problems come-up - an original name is not known, and did he come-on his own or, with a family. I live 1800 kms. from Capetown and am not in a position to call on the different offices. Perhaps another member will have some contacts or, knowledge of how to access the records for immigrants in the 19th. Century ? You could also ask the Swedish Embassy to make an official request. Whilst we regard this as an interesting enquiry , the real truth is that it is of some importance. Has any Swedish person - apart from Brown -ever been awarded what is regarded as the World's Highest Bravery Decoration ?

Michael - that's very interesting. They must have been one of several makers. I suppose the Air Commodore could have been the Commandant - the rank is senior enough ?

Leigh- as Stuart says, the insignia are really good - you must have rooms with all these lovely badges ? Stuart - when I put the entry on, I had a feeling that I had got the name wrong - just forgot to check - thank goodness someone keeps an eye on these details.