Mervyn Mitton

Ed - please don't take offence - but, you're right , I'm almost in tears over this saga !!! Sorry - I know it must be frustrating for you, but you were so senior in your field your men would also have enjoyed this... You've brought life to this section - please don't get it right too quickly. Mervyn

Snoopy - I meant to write earlier. Back in early Sept. - under British Medals - I posted a group for a merchany navy 2nd. engineer. Very similar background to your wife's grandfather. Mervyn

From a small item found in a box, it has brought some interesting information - and indeed, memories of a forgotten part of the old Empire. We occasionally get the African Service medals in, with Kenya Bar - that was mainly the Mau Mau. Have one now to a reserve chief inspector - I suppose they either joined the TF or the Police.

Thankyou everyone - more difficult than I thought. Will post full details on Monday.

The Crown does look similar to the one on the back of the Khedive's Star. Wasn't there a period in the 1960's (?) when Egypt , Syria and Iraq were allied and had stars to represent each State. Only a guess - I'm no expert on this period.

Rick - I would like someone more versed in the ways of the Z.A.R. to answer your question. My feelings would be that an appeal would have been made direct to the President and this was the result. Or, seeing that they mention Goldfields - perhaps he was needed to work in the mines ?

Arthur - thankyou for your help - the document is as important as I thought. Like a looking glass to go back 119 years and see how justice was adminstered so effectively by a now defunct Government. I hope other members will find it as interesting... Mervyn

This rare Boere document dates back to the Transvaal Republic in 1890. Officially signed by State President Kruger it apparantly allows a convicted prisoner to be transferred to a prison at Barberton. Possibly he was a British miner and as Barberton was an important mining area for gold and platinum, he may have been re-located for his family to visit ? I am hoping that one of our members may have a knowledge of High Dutch - the official language for documents of the Boere Republic. Kruger signed in 1890, but interestingly, further notations have been made-up to 1895 - rather like his official file. There are very few official documents in circulation and I think this one - with it's various signatures is possibly, important. Originally set-up in the 1850's the South African Republic was taken over in 1877 by a Force of 23 Natal Mounted Police - without a shot being fired. However, all was not well and in 1881 the Boeres staged a revolt against British rule. To our great surprise we were defeated in a number of battles and as part of the peace negotiations the Republic was restored. Paul Kruger became Stats President in 1883. We were content to allow a status quo - at least until gold and then diamonds were discovered. The greed of Cecil Rhodes - and his backers -directly led to the Boer War of 1899 - 1902. I will post some close-ups of the document and will hope we can find out a little more about content.

That's splendid - I think a number of collectors will be pleased about this. All warrant numbers are from the 1829 first Met. police - mine was 158,277 (1967) - I wonder what they are up to now ?

Odin - nice that you have access to this info.. Are you in the Met. or a dedicated police collector ? Mervyn

Odin - it would depend on the use intended for the lapel badge. Could have been sold for charity - may have been given out to 'drum' up support for the unit when they talked of disbanding (did they disband ?) or, when they made appearances at various events it may have been to hand out to youngsters. With all of the enamelling wouldn't have been inexpensive.

I wonder if more info. could be given on this unit ? I am aware that the Hon. East India Company had their own Navy - The Bombay Marine and also, that they had their own Marine Force to fight on board these ships - but, I have never heard of the Royal Indian Marine...

Hi - Rick. Yes WW1 - British. I just know that someone will tell me that it's an obvious unit... Rick - I was going to IM you - I have a fantastic Boer War prison pardon - signed by Paul Kruger - however, it is in High Dutch. I am wondering where to post , any suggestions - do you know any high Dutch - I wonder if Chris does ?

The Boers never carried bayonets. Funnily enough, bayonets for the Mauser they used - with ZAR (Zuid Afrikaans Republik) markings have been turning up in Chile. They are quite valuable. Don't forget in WW1 very many bayonets were shortened - by both sides - to act as fighting trench knives. Only when the Fairburn Sykes commando knife was brought out for WW2 was there a dedicated fighting knife. My thoughts were perhaps someone on horseback or, in a wagon shortened it for a hand weapon - after the 1879 Zulu War there were so many Martini Henry bayonets around that they used to line pathways with them.

Bought a trio this morning - his unit is shown as ARV . OK - my mind has gone blank - any idea which unit ? I was thinking Artists Rifle Volunteers - but, they usually spell it out. Thanks.

Darrell - sight of those papers makes this medal even more interesting. With the gallantry entry he would have had a medal - or, at least an M.I.D. , but the punishment section tells it's own story. How often does that happen - great bravery in the heat of battle, just unable to maintain discipline.

Tony - don't we have any Turkish members who could help ?