Mervyn Mitton

Graham - what do I say - thankyou, seems totally inadequate ! I appreciate, that as hobby, research is fun, but you, Leigh and others who took part in this search have shown just how much specialised knowledge lies within our ranks. The only question that still puzzles me - was he a regular - 8th Bn. sounds territorial. Maybe he had retired and was brought back for war service ? I am indebted to you. Mervyn

Shame on you !! You've got the helmet - she's got his name plate - I prefer your side of the deal... Stuart - I think you overlooked telling members that the red plumes , represented the red hat band for a staff officer - his rank wouldn't have been high enough otherwise. I think I'm right on that ? Mervyn

You have such fantastic old pieces it is a pleasure to see them. Also, it's great you have the time to join in - I'm getting a complex seeing my name !

You must have a fantastic collection - I wish I could offer you a gorget. Must be five years since we last had one - Sth. Africa has a limited number of German collections - but never-the-less, there are some important ones. The post war armband looks as if it might be rare? Even though you have posted your items - that was to other sub-forums - I, for one - would be very interested to see a few more, if you have time. Best Mervyn

Hello Brian - very impressed with your Specials collection - look forward to seeing any more you have. With regard to the Met. Specials lapel badge - this is WW1 and this is for a constable. There are also versions with yellow background to the crown, also blue and red. These were for Sgt. Insp. and Supt.'s best wishes Mervyn

Modern Colonel's cap for the Durban Regiment. The braid around the peak features a protea flower - standard to all senior officers. In front of the cap are a stable belt and a full dress belt.

Will - these NMP badges are so rare, that this makes the third genuine one I know of !!! Are you back from Sudan - or, still working there ? Mervyn

A valuable collection of very unusual items - and most viewers will not realise just how rare they have become. I just wish we could still buy them - where did you say you lived !!! I particularly liked the belt buckle - still with original leather.

Then we are additionally priviledged to see this photo. Is he carrying a side-arm - it's difficult to see with the dark uniform ? Do you have anything else of police interest you could share? p.s. I.m still not convinced about the radium!!

A 'smiley' old picture for a Sunday morning !! Actually it is very interesting - marking the start of 'mug' shots by the Police. I would date it to about 1870/80 and it was probably the centre double page in an issue of the Illustrated London News. Most drawings of that time tend to show the Metropolitan Police (London) - as of course they should !! However, this is a Force with a cockscomb helmet. Could be the City of London - but, I don't think so, the arms on the helmet plates aren't the same. Does anyone recognise them ? I also think this print is an indication that photography started in a provincial force.

I think I would go for 'I' - but these swirling feathery initials are always difficult - think also, 'S'

I owe apologies to Hylnur for giving wrong info - I was convinced it was the 1899 cavalry. I spotted the short blade , but thought with the swords background that it might have been cut-down. I see now, that they probably used the cavalry one as a guide for the hilt and guard. I have no idea of value for the cutlass - perhaps you can give Hylnur a guide ? Your collection sounds very interesting - it will be nice to see some good posts, this section doesn't seem to get a lot of action. Mervyn

Thankyou for that date - I was not in SA between 1960 and 1988 , so don't have a rememberance for dates like that. I do have memories from - I think - 1958 -when a large demonstration took place in Durban and ended up in front of the old prison, that was in the centre of Town. There were no SAP available - they were trying to stop another march coming over the Berea - and to defend the prison 30 railway police lined up in front of the gates. They warned the demonstrators - some 10,000 strong of severe action if they didn't lay down their arms and disperse. I was standing at the back of the demo with a friend who worked for the Daily News - and I remember an old Sgt. Maj. of the Railway Police coming round and saying ' now lads, don't stand here, if we open fire you'll get hurt'. I was only 21 then, so we quickly 'moved on'. After the demonstrators had gone - three x 3ton lorries were needed to collect all the weapons left on the ground. I've kicked myself for over 50 years , that I didn't get in there to collect some of the old Zulu weaponry.

Thankyou Gordon. When I saw this under old photos, I thought it was just the thought provoking subject that we - as a police interest group - would like to see. I have always been interested in the suspended shields of office that the feld gendarmerie (?) wore and this picture is the first I have ever seen showing one as a breast badge. We have had several of the chained type through the shop and I am always worried about them because of the amount of radium (?) on the lettering. I have been told that this was strong enough to kill many of the police and could leave a burnt impression on the skin.Was this true - or, just another WW2 myth ? The other question I would ask - is this uniform their traditional peacetime one - or, did they adopt army style for the hostilities period ? Mervyn

A lovely uniform - I do hope you are succesful in getting a tunic. It is interesting how different countries adopt a style - and no matter what happens - revert back to the shape. As Mike commented - very 1930's in the shape and uplift of the cap. Do thay still exist as a unit ?

Stuart - - a rare and great helmet - superb condition. I think families removed labels - as with naming on medals - because they thought their family name should not be sold, and also, that it might be thought they needed money. The japanned tin AND the plume holder case make this exceptional. Congratulations - what a pity it is too late for the book.

South Africa used to have quite a complex network of police forces. The South African Police became the national force in 1913, and running alongside, was the South African Railways police - they had the same powers - carried rifles and bayonets on occasion, and would be called out on street duty in emergencies. They wore a khaki uniform and this cap. They were disbanded - I think in the 1970's - perhaps someone could give the date? Additional to these were the town or, metro police that many large towns and cities had - and, there were also a number of traffic police forces - whose duty seemed to be to issue tickets to increase small town revenues !!

Jonathan - welcome to the GMIC - I am always most happy to be corrected - we learn all the time. However, the guard and grip look the same as the cavalry sword of that period - the earlier ones had the maltese cross as a cut out, but not on the later ones. Do you have a big collection of swords ? Best wishes Mervyn

Sub Forum - Great Britain Wars and Campaigns - Rorkes Drift Shield. You will see 1845 pattern Inf/ off's. swords in use.

I am adding this original print from the Illutrated London News of 1879, since it shows an Umbumbululu in use. Coghill and Melville managed to escape the slaughter at Isandlawana and holding the colours of the the 24th and The Queen's they managed to ride down Fugitives' Trail, being attacked by warriors. When they reached the Buffalo River, with one horse, they managed to ford the fast flowing water - losing both Colours - when they reached the further bank a party of Zulu Warriors was waiting for them and they were both killed. Their joint grave - a cairn of stones and a memorial cross - stands just a few metres from where they died. When regulations were changed to allow V.C.'s to be awarded after the death of the recipient - they were the first two to be so honoured. They were both Lieutenants in the 1st. Battalion the 24th Regt.. I can promise you, that to visit the site is a very moving experience ... The pattern of sword dropped on the ground is the 1845 Inf. Officers - with gilt brass fittings. To see a lovely example of one have a look at the sub forum which covers swords - it is from RickS. Only one standard was recovered from the river - although many parties were sent out. I think it was the Queens Ensign and it is now in the Welsh Regt. museum at Brecon.

The shield came-in to us about 15 years ago - and we are not at all anxious to have it sold. Even the main Zulu museum doesn't have as good an example. We gave them - again many years ago - the only redcoat uniform that they have for the 24th. - the left sleeve had the tear from the spear and blood, stained the whole area - it turns rusty brown with age. We had it brought in from an old Zulu Kraal - or, village. I should have given the size- 48" (122cm) high x 18.5" (47cm) wide. We obviously have a number of historic items and I will post some of the spears - incl. an Iklwa or, short stabbing spear. There are also a number of other interesting items which would show some of their life from 140 years ago - however, they are not all military ? Helen - from Pitt Rivers Museum , mentioned that they have over 100 items - these would be fantastic, as they are obviously of this period. Let's hope others find this of interest and that we 'don't bore the pants off them !!'

Only age can give the hide this appearance. The bindings are quite different to how they make tourist shields today.

The blade is in nice condition. Do you recognise the maker's mark ?

This interesting Zulu War (1879) shield is the usual fighting size and is called an UMBUMBULULU. The larger shield - more for ceremonial use - although , it could be used in battle, was called an ISHILUNGU. I don't have space here to show a close-up of the top of the shield - where there is a small diagonal hole - this exactly fits a British Martini Henry bayonet. There is also a sword,or bayonet slash on one side. The porcupine quills showed the bearer was a chief - or, Induna. He was also left handed and carried this shield in his right hand. All Impis or, regiments wore distinctive decorations and carried a shield - from a bull of the King's Nguni cattle - with similar colour and spot size. This one is red and white (Zulus used to call brown - red.). This was the iDhondlo Impi and they were one of the three impis under the King's half brother - Dubalamanzi - who were sent around the back of the mountain. He resented not being in the main battle and went against the King's orders not to cross the Buffalo River. He did so, and attacked Rorke's Drift - which was defended by a small number of men - incl. 'B' Company of the 2nd. Bn. The 24 th. Regt.. The attack took place on the 23rd of Jan. 1879 - and the defence earnt the highest number of V.C's awarded for one battle. Of course, the day before we had been defeated at Isandlawana. In this photo the young Zulu holding it is my assistant, who helps with the w/chair.