Mervyn Mitton

A full board of different ones + some close-ups

Derek - thankyou for that info.. I have friends in Cheshire and they all said the Regt. was not posted here. I should have checked ! (Hope you are watching Ian!!)

We haven't had a truncheon for a while - and this is a rare one. Queen Victoria - it is named in a spiral - ' FOR HER MAJESTY'S MAIL COACHES LONDON TO READING '. I have never seen one named for mail coaches and some people doubt if they existed. Each mail coach was run by different companies and so , equipment will differ. Yes, we know the guards carried blunderbus's - and swords - and on occasion, pistols. So, it is quite logical that truncheons could also be issued. This would date from the early days of her reign - say 1840's.

Leigh - that is always open to interpretation. Cheaper copies will always have a market - however, in my book it is a forgery and would not be sold in the shop. I will give it as a raffle prize to the Militaria Society. You are a major collector and know how easily these things suddenly 'earn' a pedigree with age. They even make copies of 200 year old truncheons !!! Have a great holiday. Merv.

Yes, they are a current badge - but, not this one which is a copy. Look at the naval FOULED anchor !

One subject that I have not seen mentioned on GMIC - I know, I've left myself wide open - is that of SWEETHEART BROOCHES. They basically grew from the Boer War, when servicemen started to give their wives and girl friends small badges from their equipment - usually collars - to have pins put-on and to wear , to show which unit said husband ,or, boyfriend served with. Jewellers quickly got into the act and started to make them professionally. The practise quickly grew and continues to this day. Being British - snobbery quickly set-in and for higher ranks they often use gold - set with diamonds and other stones. Collecting them has always been in fashion - but, only when books were written - Joanna Lumley, for one - did it become 'big' business. Now every fair and antiques room has them , and at quite high prices. Unfortunately, many are copies. I wasn't sure where to post this picture - Naval or, Air Force - no-one seems to read Air Force ( only 20 looked at one of the oldest relics of pre-1914 - the first air show in 1909 !) - the bottom Sweetheart brooch is from WW2 and for The Fleet Air Arm. I paid ?70 for it two years ago and was happy to do so - however, remember what I said about forgeries. The top one is Indian made and modern - despite it's glitter , it is only worth curiosity value.

Yes - I heard that story. Apparantly She formed morning knitting groups. The soldiers who received them were chosen by 'lot'. But what about the contents of Indian tins ???

Yes - I heard that story. Apparantly She formed morning knitting groups. The soldiers who received them were chosen by 'lot'. But what about the contents of Indian tins ???

Yes - I heard that story. Apparantly She formed morning knitting groups. The soldiers who received them were chosen by 'lot'. But what about the contents of Indian tins ???

INTERIOR - AS REQUESTED.

The tin that Chris showed at the top was a larger size and not very common. The standard tin contained cigarettes - as shown above and below. They were issued from 1940 to 1945 and were always from OUMA and OUPA SMUTS (grandma and grandpa). Since they were only to Sth. African troops they are not so collected overseas.

Will - welcome back. I don't think the calender was issue - just added as another memento. Find anything interesting on your travels ? Paul - if we stop and think, it is logical that there would be different contents. Chocolate contains all sorts of things - many of them forbidden to both Moslems and Hindus. I wonder what was given ? Considering the numbers - there must have been thousands - this is an intriguing topic. If no one can help on the Forum, write to the Daily Mail ? (mention the GMIC - that'll keep the Chairman out of mischief, dealing with thousands of new members !) Mervyn

Thanks Leigh - National Service in Australia didn't count as 'overseas service'!

Leigh - there don't seem to be as many people collecting them, as there were a few years ago, but they are attractive and look good on boards. I think a Police Memorial Day is a great idea - every Country should have one - but, why in UK is it organised by that man Winner - who has no connection with Police in any way ??? You have to wonder why it was left to him - his idea of a memorial stone in the place where each member of police had been killed is a good one and long overdue - but, why a civilian and why - a film producer ?? (I'm being careful here, I don't want to be sued!)

TThe Victory medal is the bi-lingual version. English and Afrikaans.

With the interesting posts appearing for the Boer War , I thought this group might be of interest. They are only loosely mounted for display. The QSA and KSA are to : 4045 Pte. J.E.ADAMS Cheshire Regt. The WW1 - War and Victory to : Pte. J.E.ADAMS 7th.S.A.I. (South African Inf. - The Transvaal Regt.) Good service chevrons - and , always nice, Div. patches. Crossed rifles - pres. as a marksman. The Cheshire Yeomanry were active in S.A. - but, I understand The Cheshire Regt was not posted - he must have been attached to another unit?

I don't think you have any need to apolgise for - 'boring posts' - they were far from that, and in fact contained a wealth of interesting information. Together with the photos, I have, personally, greatly enjoyed this post. I hope you will have others.

Brian - was this the same pattern as worn in Canada. What do you mean - a bic pen can penetrate ? Does kevlar only compact on high impact ?

I think it perfectly feasible to have razor blades in the ribbon. In the 1930' the Glaswegians - particularly - had a nasty habit of carrying a potato, with a blade embedded it it - did the most awful damage. The ch.const. - Sir Percy Sillitoe, and the magistrates agreed to stop this - anyone caught with the potato and blade got an immediate prison sentence and within a year it had stopped.