Mervyn Mitton

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.

Iver - would it be possible to see a picture of each side of the blade ? This is an interesting period of history.

Paul - we see quite a few tins - usually minus original contents. Most people kept their medals in them. Can you tell a difference in the tin itself ?

Gordon, please don' think I'm being 'cheeky' - but, this photo would be great ,also, on the world police sub-forum. Mervyn

Never ever , seen these covers before. I suppose they also kept the kilt clean - which I am told is a difficult item to wash.

An interesting item. The Queen's personal detective (usually a Commander, equiv. of a full colonel) wore this bullet proof vest in the 1970's. I presume Kevlar - what else would they use.

CLOSER VIEW OF HACKLE

RIGHT SIDE - HAS TWO EXTRA HANGING SECTIONS

REAR VIEW Not sure of the meaning for the swallow tailed black ribbon . Could it commemorate Queen Victoria's death ?

LEFT SIDE

I thought Chris might appreciate this one - since it is Sth. African. Capetown Highlanders - probably post 1960's. Worn only by the band. This is a famous unit, with a proud record of service. Headgear seems to be popular within the forum at the present and this is a good one. Known as a feather bonnet, because it's construction is from ostrich feathers.